Student project

Objective

You will make an instrument from simple items that can be found in any household or office. The instrument shall be able to produce five consecutive notes of a musical scale. If possible, start with a C.

Examples include, but are not restricted to

-         a harp (strings in a frame or on a board)

-         a flute (tubes of different lengths operated by blowing air)

-         a xylophone (tuned glasses/pipes/wood pieces to bang on)

-         tuned glasses to play by "wet finger"

-         a bottle organ

-         tuned rattles (close cans filled with different kinds of pebbles of small beads, etc)

What is expected?

-You will introduce your instrument to class in a small presentation (10 min). Describe the idea, the function, the physical principles behind its sound, and - of course- play a couple notes.

- You will turn in a three-page paper (double-spaced) about your instrument. The paper needs to contain information about your idea: the physical principles of the sound generation, description of trial and error along the way, how you tuned the instrument and a sketch. Also include a technical description of the final instrument including important measurements such as lengths or volumes.

How can you do it

You can work alone or in groups of up to three students.

Get started early.

Before deciding on the kind of instrument, let the availability of items and material be a guide to you.

Please talk to me about any questions and difficulties you encounter.

Timeline:

October 17                              Decide on groups and preliminary goal.

November 7 -11                      I will see each one of you to talk about the progress and help ensuring success.

November 28                           Your project should be functional, work on paper and presentation should be progressing.

December 2                             Papers are due.

December 5-December 14       We will have two instruments introduced to class in each class meeting.

 

Grading

The project can add up to 100 points to your class score, divided by 50 points for the paper and 50 points for a functional instrument fulfilling above criteria.