1. Musical Instruments

2. Notes  Different musical notes correspond to different frequencies  The equally tempered scaled is set up off of 440 A  meaning the note A = 440 Hz

3. Sounding Board  Several instruments require a sounding board to be loud enough for people to hear them.  This is something that vibrates with the instrument (forced vibration).  Since it is in contact with more air, it is louder.

4. Fundamental frequency and harmonics  The fundamental frequency is the lowest natural frequency of an instrument.  This is the natural frequency of the instrument.  Harmonics- multiples of the fundamental frequency of an instrument (it is always the same note but octaves higher)  When a musical instrument is played, it vibrates at its fundamental frequency and some of its harmonics (or overtones) at different intensities, this accounts for the sound quality or timbre of individual instruments

5. Types of musical instruments  When you break them down, most musical instruments are strings, pipes or percussion.  Strings include violins, and guitars  Pipes include flutes and trumpets  Percussion include drums and cymbals

6. Percussion  The physics behind percussion is fairly simple.  You hit something causing it to vibrate at its natural frequency.  You cannot change the pitch of most, only the volume (by hitting it harder).  Most instruments tend to have several different pieces next to each other so you can have different notes.

7. Xylophone

8. Homework  Read 26.6, 26.7 and 26.8  Pg 528  11-17; 36-37; 39-40