by Prof. Lydia Ayers

Objectives Build a monochord (single string instrument) Record and find the frequency of the open string Measure and mark the positions for the pitches to make a major scale Play a simple exercise Work on your composition (due next week in lab)

Build a Monochord Make a cardboard frame –Board-like frame from several layers of cardboard, with the fold in different places so it won’t bend with the force of the string –Hollow box-like frame will produce more tone –Longer frame will produce lower tone

Build a Monochord Make two bridges –Fold small pieces of cardboard into triangles –Use two or three layers of cardboard if one layer is not stiff enough to support the tension of the string –Secure a bridge near each end of the frame If you want to tune the string, you can place a third moveable bridge between the two end bridges

Build a Monochord Secure the string over the bridges –Cut a string a little longer than the distance between the bridges –Secure the string over the bridges tightly enough to get a good sound What is good is whatever you think sounds good

Mark the Pitches Measure the string and touch lightly in the center The best position is where the harmonic gives the clearest sound Mark the frame below the harmonic Plucking the string while pressing this position produces the octave

Mark the Pitches Measure the string and touch lightly at each harmonic position Continue marking the harmonics until you have a major scale –Perfect 5 th at 3 rd harmonic –Perfect 4 th at 4 th harmonic –Major 3 rd at 5 th harmonic –Major 2 nd at 9 th harmonic

Mark the Pitches The bridge is the end you pluck and the nut is the end you tune String lengths from bridge are reciprocals of frequency ratios: –Perfect 5 th = 2/3 from bridge (1/3 from nut) –Perfect 4 th = 3/4 from bridge (1/4 from nut) –Major 3 rd = 4/5 from bridge (1/5 from nut) –Major 2 nd = 8/9 from bridge (1/9 from nut) –Major 6 th = 3/5 from bridge (2/5 from nut), another position of the 5 th harmonic –Major 7 th = 8/15 from bridge (7/15 from nut), harmonic should sound clearly

Example For a 30 inch string: –Perfect 5 th at 3 rd harmonic = 20 inches (2/3 string length) from bridge, 10 inches (1/3 string length) from nut Other useful intervals: –Minor 3 rd at 6 th harmonic –Minor 7 th at 9/16 or 5/9 string length from bridge (7/16 or 4/9 from nut) (I can’t get a clear harmonic on this one on the dulcimer)

Make a Pick You can make a pick by cutting a piece from a plastic water bottle into a comfortable shape

Find the Frequency of the String Record the sound of the open string –Note that a tighter string sounds higher than a looser one Use the wavanal program to find the frequency of the sound –On the Web page for wavanal, there is also a pitcher program which may be helpful (it is probably not in Lab 4 now)

Monochord Exercise Practice playing this exercise on your monochord Down in the Valley

Monochord Exercise Practice playing this exercise on your monochord Foster: Camptown Races

Monochord Exercise Practice playing this exercise on your monochord Barbara Allen

Composition Continue working on your composition –What to do is up to you – this is the beginning of your composition, not an exercise –The next version of your composition is due in the lab next week You can record some string sounds and add them to your composition

P.S. There may be a composition question and a progress report on your final project on the Midterm Exam, so developing some thoughts about these things may help you