Physics 332Physics of Music & Music Reproduction

SyllabusAutumn 2004

Instructor:Prof. Charles E. Hyde-Wright

Web Page:   http://www.physics.odu.edu/~hyde/chw.htm

OfficeRm. 215                  Oceanography and Physical Science Building

Office Phone683-5853You may also call the Physics Dept secretary at 683-3468 and ask to page me.

Research LaboratoryRm. 112 Nuclear & Particle Physics Research Facility

1021 W. 47th St. (683-5853).

LectureRm. 146 & Rm 224                Oceanography and Physical Science Building

Class ScheduleTue. & Thurs.1:30 - 14:45 pm

Office Hours                Thurs. 11:00 - 11:50 am

Final Exam Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004, 12:30 - 3:30 pm, Rm 146 OCNPS

TextThe Physics of Sound,R.E. Berg and D.G. Stork (required)

Library ReserveThe Physics of Musical Instruments, Neville H. Fletcher, Thomas D. Rossing

The Acoustical Foundations of Music, John G. Backus

The Physics and Psychophysics of Music, J.G. Roederer

            Physics and the Sound of Music, John Rigden

Prerequisites:Knowledge of basic algebra, and interest in physical basis of sound and music.

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the physical principles underlying music and sound.Specific topics for this semester include:

Physical& mathematical attributes of music and sound.

Acoustics of musical instruments and concert halls.

Electronic generation and recording of sound.

Neuro-physiology of sound perception.

From these topics, our goal is to achieve a better appreciation of the connections between acoustics and aesthetics, and how physical principals describe the natural world in general, and music in particular.

Grades:Grades will be based on class attendance and participation, homework, a written and oral report,andthe final exam.

Class Participation:20 %

Lab Assignments25 %

Project:

Proposal5 %

Draft Report10 %

Final report   10 %

Oral report      10 %

Final Exam20 %

Total100%

Lectures:Lectures will generally be on Tuesday.Attendance is mandatory.Please do the assigned reading before class

Lab:Each Thursday there will be a laboratory assignment.Please read the assignment before coming to class.Lab writeups are due Tuesday, 12 days after the lab.Your lab assignments may include additional homework assignments.Your lab writeup should include a description of your methods, your raw data, and a discussion of results and conclusions.You will be graded primarily for clarity of presentation.

Final Project: You are expected to complete a research project.Your project should include both library research and experimental measurements. I am willing to help you find equipment and other source materials.Examples:

Acoustics of your favorite musical instrument

Measurement and Description of noise sources

Comparison ofacoustics of different classrooms or concert rooms at ODU.

Alternative Musical Scales & Tuning Schemes.

Build and analyze a simple copy of a music instrument.
Test the class for auditory perception/illusions (see lab 5)

Measure velocity of 10 story plunge of falling pumpkin with Doppler shift (Oct. Pumpkin Drop).

Synthesize your favorite instrument on the computer.

Your choice...Look for ideas in Physics of Music books in library.

Final Project:A 1-2 page project proposal is due Thurs Oct 7. Your proposal should briefly present your topic and describe what materials and methods you propose to use.I will grade it on the basis of clarity and feasibility.A written status report is due Thurs. Nov 11.I will grade it and make suggestions for revisions, improvements and return it to you by Tue. Nov. 16.Grading of the status report will be based on clarity and whether your project appears to be on track for completion by Dec 9.Your final written report is due Thurs. Dec 9.You will also give an oral report in class, Dec. 7 or 9.Your oral report should be approx. 10 minutes long.Groups of up to 3 may collaborate on a common project.Each student must submit separate reports, and each student must give a separate oral report.

Course Schedule & Reading Assignment


 

Date

Chapter
Description
(Berg)
31Aug., 2 Sep.
1
Sources of Sound & Music
Simple Harmonic Motion 
6 Sep. Holiday Labor Day, Monday only.
7, 9 Sep.
2
Sound, Waves, & Vibrations.
14, 16 Sep.
3
Traveling & Standing Waves
21, 23 Sep.
4,5
Frequency Analysis and Synthesis of Sound
Pure Tones, Complex Tones, and Noise
28, 30 Sep.
6
The Human Ear
5, 7 Oct.
6
The Human Vocal Tract

 

7 Oct.

Project

Project Proposals Due
9-12 Oct.
Holiday
Columbus Day Holiday (Sat.-Tue.)
14 Oct
7oHol
Sound Recording and Reproduction
19, 21 Oct.
8
Auditorium Acoustics
26, 28 Oct.
9
Musical Temperament, Pitch, Scales
2, 4 Nov.
10
Wind Instruments: Woodwinds, Organ
9,11 Nov.
11
Wind Instruments: Brass
9, 11 Nov.
12
11 Nov.
Project
Final Project Update Due.
16, 18 Nov.
12
Bowed and Plucked Strings
23 Nov.
13
Piano
24-28 Nov.
Holiday
Thanksgiving Holiday (Wed- Sun)

30 Nov, 5 Dec.
 14 Percussion Instruments
7, 9 Dec
Project
Final Project Oral Reports.
 9 Dec.
End of Classes Written project reports due.
Thurs. 16 Dec.
Final Exam
12:30-3:30pm,OCNPS Rm. 146.

Lab Schedule (Preliminary)
 

 

Date

Lab

Description
2 Sep.
1
Sound and simple vibrations
9 Sep.
2
Waves on String
16 Sep.
3
Sound Resonance in Tube
23 Sep.
4
Beats, Wave synthesis
30 Sep.
5
Audio Demos, Auditory perception.
7 Oct.
6
Water waves in Beakers
14 Oct.
7
Sound Resonance in Box
21 Oct.
8
Chaldni Plates or Diehn Hall
28 Oct.
9
Pumpkin Drop Doppler
4 Nov
10
PVC Tube Instruments
11 Nov
11
 11 Nov. Final Project work session
18 Nov.
12
TBA
2 Dec.
TBA