Unit 2 CAT 2, AOS2, O2

HOW DO INSTRUMENTS MAKE MUSIC?

Unit 2 CAT 2, AOS 2, O2

INDEX

Do we still invent new musical instruments?

What are the main characteristics of sound?

What factors influence an instrument timbre?

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHARATERISTICS OF SOUND?

• Sound is a vibration that travels through a medium (like air, water, or solids) as an acoustic wave
• A sine wave is the most basic type of sound and for this reason not perceivable in nature; it is described by the function: f ( x ) = sin ⁡ x . It's characterized by its smooth, continuous oscillations and a single frequency (the "pure tone").

• From the characteristics of a wave we can identify those of sound.

1. Amplitude (Dynamic or Loudness): the maximum height reached by the wave,determines the loudness or intensity of the sound.
2. Wavelength: the distance the wave travels before it repeats itself; the higher the frequency the lower the wavelength
3. Frequency(Pitch): The number of complete cycles (peaks and troughs) per second .Determines the pitch of the sound.
4. Timbre: The perceived sound quality of a sound.

WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE AN INSTRUMENT TIMBRE?

• Timbre, which affects the sound of instruments, changes depending on the different frequencies and amplitudes present in the waveform other than the foundamental tone, called harmonics
• in fact, two different instruments can play the same musical note (therefore the same frequency) and sound totally different

other factors that can influence the timbre and consequently the sound of the instrument are:

1. Material: The material an instrument is made of affects its timbre (e.g. wood, metal, leather).
2. Shape and size: the physical dimensions of an instrument influence its sound.
3. Construction: The way an instrument is constructed (e.g., number of strings, size of sound chamber) influences its timbre.
4. Playing technique: The way an instrument is played (e.g., bowing, plucking, blowing) can change its sound.

DO WE STILL INVENT NEW INSTRUMENTS?

• Over the centuries, music has evolved and consequently so have musical instruments.With the spread of synthesizers in the twentieth century and digital instrumentation in recent years, many artists have begun to explore new methods for making music, implementing new music production techniques. (including sampling and granular synthesis)

• new tools, among which digital synthesizers and samplers stand out, are changing the way music is conceived, expanding the possibilities in music production like never before.

- The MPC 3000, one of the most popular sampler of all time, used by musicians such as Kanye West ("The College Dropout")and Dr.Dre ("2001")

-The Prophet 5, a 1977 synthesizer used by several artists such as Pink Floyd ("In the Flesh"), Radiohead ("Everything is in the right place") , Michael Jackson ("Thriller") and Mac Demarco ("For the first time")