For this project, we had to make a musical instrument. Each group (band) had to make at least 1 string instrument, 1 wind instrument, and one chime instrument. We had to choose to make two in one category. My group chose to do two wind instruments. Each group member was responsible to make one instrument. I made the chimes which I will talk more about later. My band also has a flute, ukulele, and valveless trumpet. Since we have 5 people in our group, the fifth is doing vocals.
The purpose of an instrument is to create longitudinal waves (sound waves). You create waves by causing a vibration. The instrument creates a vibration. This explained for each specific integument in our Proof of Efficacy document I attached below. Below that is some key terms that you might not know in the document.
Amplitude: The height of a wave/ "Volume of a wave" Period: How long a wave lasts Doppler Effect:When wave energy like sound or radio waves travels from two objects, the wavelength can seem to be changed if one or both of them are moving. Sound wave: A longitudinal wave. Light wave: A transverse wave Longitudinal Wave: A "compression" wave that moves by compressing a medium. Therefore, it requires a medium. Transverse Wave: A sine wave. Does not require a medium so it can travel through the vacuum of space. Constructive Interference: When two waves intercept. At the intersection point, a wave the size of the the waves combined is created. Occurs when waves are both on a crest or both on a trough. The wave then “continues”. Destructive Interference: When two waves intersect and they level out/ cancel each other out. Occurs when one was is on a crest and the other is on a trough.
Reflection: I am very pleased with the results of this project. Not only did it give me a musical experience (I have not played an instrument in many, many years). But, I got to work with an amazing group. I feel I learned more from this project than many others because of my lack of musical knowledge. My teammates were very accommodating to my knowledge level. They explained (very well) octaves, notes, and other musical terms. This proves to me just how amazing of people they are. I knew I could ask questions and they would not judge me because I had to ask them. I overall have no complaints. I would do this project with this team over and over again. I would do any project with this group because I know they can get the job done and still be great friends. If I had to say some pits it would be that the trumpet got destroyed. Originally we were going to make a trumpet instead of a valveless trumpet. But while we were carving the holes for the pistons, the the drill spun out of control. Then the trumpet got destroyed. Salvaging some of the pieces we made a valveless trumpet instead. I wish that the original trumpet could have been completed. My other pit would be that my chime "keys" are at different angles. it would look better if it had a more uniform look. I also wish that our vocalist had a chance to make an instrument too.
We also had to write and perform a song with our instruments. We parodied several songs and put them in a melody. You can find this melody below.