The Science of the ViolinThe Science of the Violin

How does it play??How does it play??

Four StringsFour StringsLower=ThickerLower=ThickerHigher=ThinnerHigher=Thinner

Plucked or Stroked to vibratePlucked or Stroked to vibrate

The horse hairs on the bow The horse hairs on the bow run across the violin strings run across the violin strings

to produce sound wavesto produce sound waves

Playing the ViolinPlaying the Violin

Bow strokes strings or Bow strokes strings or Player plucks=Strings vibratePlayer plucks=Strings vibrate

Sound is created!Sound is created!

But…how????But…how????

TerminologyTerminology

SoundSound—a wave, vibration of the —a wave, vibration of the airair

PeriodPeriod—shows distance between —shows distance between two crests of a wavetwo crests of a wave

AmplitudeAmplitude—the maximum —the maximum elongation of the waveelongation of the wave

FrequencyFrequency—number of waves —number of waves over a given amount of timeover a given amount of time

SoundSound

SoundSound—a wave, vibration of the air—a wave, vibration of the air

If this were a bell and it was hit, the sound If this were a bell and it was hit, the sound waves would travel outward in larger waves would travel outward in larger

concentric circlesconcentric circles

Sound WavesSound Waves

AmplitudeAmplitude—the maximum —the maximum elongation of the waveelongation of the waveAmplitude determines the strength of the Amplitude determines the strength of the

sound producedsound producedGreater Amplitude=Louder SoundGreater Amplitude=Louder SoundAmplitude decreases when distance of Amplitude decreases when distance of

string is greater (less sound=longer string is greater (less sound=longer length vibrating)length vibrating)

Sound WavesSound WavesPeriodPeriod—the distance between 2 crests —the distance between 2 crests

Period determines the pitch Period determines the pitch

Shorter Period=Higher PitchShorter Period=Higher Pitch

Sound WavesSound WavesFrequencyFrequency—number of waves over a —number of waves over a

given amount of timegiven amount of timeLowerLower Frequency (Greater Period) Frequency (Greater Period)

HigherHigher Frequency (Shorter Period) Frequency (Shorter Period)

Frequency Effects on ViolinFrequency Effects on Violin

Altered by: Altered by: lengthlength and and tensiontension of string that is of string that is

vibratingvibratingHigher frequency=Sharper soundHigher frequency=Sharper sound

http://www.pinktentacle.com/2007/12/toyhttp://www.pinktentacle.com/2007/12/toyota-unveils-robot-violinist-video/ota-unveils-robot-violinist-video/

ReviewReviewIdentify labeled partsIdentify labeled parts

Demonstrate variations on your Demonstrate variations on your instrumentinstrument

SummationSummation

Amplitude alters loudnessAmplitude alters loudness

Period alters pitchPeriod alters pitch

Frequency alters sharpnessFrequency alters sharpness

Put It All Together!Put It All Together!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0phttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0pkigApKEw&feature=relatedkigApKEw&feature=related