The Physics of

Musical Instruments
 Musical Instruments
 Rely on standing waves within a string or
an air column
 Three basic types:
 Strings
 Closed pipes
 Open pipes
Standing Waves

 If reflected waves have the same

amplitude, frequency and velocity of
the original waves, standing waves
are formed.

 They do not move through a medium,

but vibrate in loops.
 Standing Waves

 Node: Point of no vibration

 Antinode: Point of maximum vibration

 Simpleststanding wave for

any instrument is called its
fundamental frequency
Fundamental Frequencies

 λ stands for lambda, the symbol for

wavelength
 Strings: ½ λ
 Pipes: ¼ λ
 As the frequency increases, harmonics are
created (a harmonic of a wave is a
component frequency of the signal)
 Notes are changed by changing length of
tube or string
String Harmonics
Closed Pipe Harmonics
Open Pipe Harmonics