1. What are your expectations from this class?
Here is a sample of what you hope for:
“…learn some
fun stuff about how sound and music works”
“…gain an appreciation and awareness of the physics
behind sound and music.”
“…better
understanding of why i hear what i
hear when i listen to different sounds and
instruments”
“...I hope that I could use the knowledge to implement
into my own interest of music'
“…learn more about how sound works, and not just have
vague ideas and theories that are rooted in nothing but speculation.”
“…learning about an aspect of sound and music that you can't hear.”
“…improve my knowledge about sound for my job as a
light and sound technican”
I hope that some of these expectations will be
fulfilled.
2. Do you play any instruments, and if yes, which ones?
Students in our class play tuba, bass guitar, guitar,
drums, Piano, Cello, ukulele, electric bass guitar, saxophone, voice, violin,
Trombone. There are also several students who play no instrument. Since your instructor does not play an instrument as well this will
not hamper us.
3. Would you be willing to bring the instrument to class
some time (if possible)?
Many of you indicated a willingness
– we will certainly make use of the offer. I will ask certain students when the
time comes…
4. Have you taken other physics classes before, and if
yes, how many years/credits and where?
Eleven students answered the survey. Six of them had
one year or more of physics in high school, two had
one semester of physics in high school. We also have at least four students who
never took any physics before. This put our group on somewhat unequal starting
ground. I hope that the introductory chapter will help us to gain equal
footing. If you had physics before, please use the opportunity to freshen up on
some concepts, and be forgiving for the time we need to spend on this. If all
of this is new to you it may seem overwhelming – please come and see me so we
can get you all the support you need.
By week 3 we will be in the full swing of sound and
waves…
5. Is there anything else you would like me to know, such
as hearing difficulties, your special relation to music, an interest in
recording or acoustics, etc?
Now, here is some interesting stuff, and I hope you will carry much of
it into the class room. Your answers, after some mixing and grooming:
“I already mentioned my love of singing and my job as a lighting and
sound technican, because of both of those I am especially interested in
acoustics. Learning the physics behind sound recordings also sounds interesting
to me. “
“I haven't had a physics class
yet, so I hope you start out slow”
“I'm interested in the unique
sounds of other cultures and also the reason why people recieve
sounds so differently, for example, why is it possible for people to be tone
deaf?”
“Recording and acoustics would be interesting.”
“I've always been interested in music and this is just another aspect
in which to participate.”
“My uncle is an acoustical
architect and runs his business out of
“have a special relationship to music in the
fact that i have been in choir all throughout high
school, and in college. Plus i was in school
musicals and played piano for 8 years!”
“'I have great interest in music as listener, songwriter and
performer. I hope to learn more about recording and accoustics
as well.”
“I just really really like music and I think
that this class will be fun.”
“would
like to have a classroom environment where we are learning about sound and
having some fun doing it. I am into music and am just trying to get
another perspective on how we actually hear things the way we do.”
“no, I
think that is about it.”
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