Physics/Music 399 At a Glance...

Course Legend

The Big Idea for the section of the course Key Idea(s) that you need to master

Suggested homework that you try on your own or in small groups:

CP = conceptual questions
P&E = Exercise and Problem questions

These are a good way for you to assess your level of mastery of the material

These are MUST READ sections - BEFORE CLASS Conceptual Challenge Questions Link to questions and problems (with solutions) that you can use to test your mastery of the material. Click on the icon to access the questions. Useful computer programs (VPython, Flash, EXCEl, etc)

My Office Hours

Download On-line Textbook here (enable pop-ups to view this)

Final Exam: TBA

The Big Idea(s)
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Lab/Studio Topic(s)
January
 

Introduction to course

9


Basic Ideas of Physics needed for the course

11

3
 

Basic Ideas of Physics needed for the course

14

Sound Intensity - working with the dB scale

Chp 1

Activity #1 in text (Orchestral Sound - page 15)
Due January 25

16

Measuring the Intensity of a Sound Wave - the Decibel Scale

Hearing a Pin Drop!

Measuring the speed of sound by echoes

echo graph

echo spreadsheet

15

 

Resonance, Harmonics and Overtones

Chp 2,3

21

IS conference

23

Resonance, Harmonics and Overtones

Data from Lab

25

Resonating Strings and Air Columns

(Lord Rayleigh -Theory of Sound Vol 2 - see page 487 for end correction)

22

 

Resonance in Higher Dimensions

Fourier Analysis and Waveforms

Wave Superposition Spreadsheet

28

Fourier Analysis and Waveforms

Biggest Didgeridoo!

link to online ToneGenerator

PheT Fourier Synthesizer

30

Fourier Analysis and Waveforms

Activity #2

PheT Fourier Synthesizer

1

Fourier Analysis and Waveforms

29

   February
 

Fourier Techniques and Phase

4

More Stuff on Waves!

Doppler Effect Applet

Meausuring the Expanding Universe!

6

Working with Musical Scales

Frequency - Scale

The Shephard Tone

8

Fourier Synthesis of Waveforms

5

 

Working with Musical Scales

11

Finishing up on scales:

Just vs Tempered Scale

Brief history of tempered scale

cool idea for instrument project!

13

Review

practice questions

15

The Monochord- a Simple Stringed Instrument - Activity #3

12

Reading Week - no classes

18--22

       
 

Applying Physics to Stringed Instrument Construction

Secrets of the Strad?

25

Applying Physics to Stringed Instrument Construction

27

Applying Physics to Stringed Instrument Construction

Activity # 4- from Lapp- Investigation "The Guitar" - pg 66-69

lovely video on violin making

1

Midterm

26

 

Tour of Winspear Concert Hall

4

Physics of Wind Instruments

6

Physics of Wind Instruments

8

Making a Native American-style Flute

Term Project Declaration Form

5

March
 

Applying Physics to NAF Construction

link to Flutopedia Web Site

link to Flutomat

link to online tuner

11

Applying Physics to NAF Construction

13

Applying Physics to NAF Construction

Assignment #5

15

Making a Native American-style Flute

Eric the Flute Maker (fun!)

12

 

The Physics of Percussion

18

The Physics of Bells and Chimes

20

The Physics of Percussion

22

Making a Tuned Chime

Xylophone/Chime Calculator

19

 

Sound Waves - a closer look

25

Architectural Acoustics

27

Architectural Acoustics

29

Architectural Acoustics

26

 

Architectural Acoustics

1

 

3

The Human Voice

5

Architectural Acoustics - Measuring RT60

Data:

Sax (Ab3)
Euphonium (F3)
Bass (F3)
Impulse

 

 

2

 April
 

The Human Voice- Spectral analysis

8

Wrap-Up project!

10

Wrap-Up project!

Practice

12

Wrap-Up project!

9

   

Wrap-Up project! - no class

15

Wrap-Up project! - no class

Exam Blue-Print

17

 

The Big Reveal - Instrument Day!!

Project Costs

16