1. The Physics of Musical Instruments

2. Musical Instruments
Rely on standing waves within a string or an air column
Three basic types:
Strings
Closed pipes
Open pipes

3. Standing Waves
If reflected waves have the same amplitude, frequency and velocity of the original waves, standing waves are formed.
They do not move through a medium, but vibrate in loops.

4. Standing Waves
Node: Point of no vibration
Antinode: Point of maximum vibration
Simplest standing wave for any instrument is called its fundamental frequency

5. Fundamental Frequencies
λ stands for lambda, the symbol for wavelength
Strings: ½ λ
Pipes: ¼ λ
As the frequency increases, harmonics are created (a harmonic of a wave is a component frequency of the signal)
Notes are changed by changing length of tube or string

6. String Harmonics

7. Closed Pipe Harmonics

8. Open Pipe Harmonics