Music (experimenting With Everyday Science)
Tags: Stephen M. Tomecek

From the music that thumps through a listener's headphones to the strains of an orchestra tuning up for a performance, science plays a vital role in how we hear and create music. Music examines what music is and how scientific principles help control how it is made, and also delves into the histories and workings of different types of musical instruments. Explore the roots of modern techno music, find out who invented the first synthesizer, and discover how modern electronics have changed the way music is made. Hands-on activities allow a closer look into such topics as how the tension in a drumhead helps control the pitch and how opera singers can break glass with only their voices. Contents introduction Safety Precautions: Review Before Starting Any Experiment 1 The Science of Sound Experiment 1: Selected Sound Makers Experiment 2: How Vibration Speed and Size Affect Waves Experiment 3: Making Longitudinal Waves Experiment 4: Refl ecting Sound Waves Experiment 5: controlling instrument Volume Experiment 6: How Speed of Vibrations Affects Pitch of Sound 2 Early Music Makers Experiment 7: controlling the Pitch of Sound with Your Mouth Experiment 8: controlling Vocal cords Experiment 9: Musical Wood Blocks Experiment 10: Effect of Tube Length on Sound Pitch Experiment 11: Song Rhythm vs. Note Timing 3 Instruments with Strings Experiment 12: creating Tension on a Vibrating String Experiment 13: Octaves and intervals Experiment 14: Sounds from Vibrating Rubber Bands Experiment 15: Resonance and Musical instruments Experiment 16: Amplifying Sound with Resonators 4 The Wind Instruments Experiment 17: controlling the Pitch of Recorders and Song Flutes Experiment 18: creating Sounds with a Trombone Experiment 19: Making a Didgeridoo to Test Resonance Experiment 20: How a Wind instruments Shape Affects its Sound Experiment 21: Vibrations Through Various Materials 5 Percussion Instruments Experiment 22: Creating an Idiophone Experiment 23: Playing Resonant Water Glasses Experiment 24: Testing Sounds of Metal Bracket Chimes Experiment 25: Controlling Drum Head Sound 6 Modern Modes of Music Glossary Bibliography Further Resources Picture Credits Index About the Author