Science of Sound

What is timbre or tone color?

• The unique sound of each instrument, determined by the shape of a sound wave

• A full sound determined by materials

Sound is:

• Vibrating waves perceived by our ears

• When materials vibrate at their natural frequency

Resonance means:

• the sound is full because a material vibrates at its natural frequency

• the sound can play more than one pitch to create a melody

Idiophones (all percussion instruments EXCEPT drums) are special because sound is produced by vibrating

• air through it

• membrane on it

• the entire body of the instrument by hitting, shaking, or scraping it

Amplitude describes

• The height of a wave, determining its volume

• The shape of a wave, determining its timbre (tone color)

Brass and Woodwind instruments both use vibrating air to produce sound. Which one has air vibrating through lips?

• Brass (example: trumpet)

• Woodwind (example: flute)

Evelyn Glennie plays percussion instruments, including the drum. What instrument family is the drum in?

• Pitched

• Unpitched

Itzhak Perlman plays the violin. He can play different pitches to create melodies. Does he play a pitched or unpitched instrument?

• Pitched

• Unpitched

Unpitched instruments are used for rhythm. Pitched instruments are used for melody. Which instrument is pitched?

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String instruments vibrate and resonate. What VIBRATES to create sound?

• Wooden body

• Metal, plastic, or gut strings