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The document provides an overview of sound definitions, methods of sound production, and how humans perceive sound through the ear's anatomy. It details characteristics of sound such as frequency, amplitude, pitch, loudness, and the distinction between audible and inaudible sounds. Additionally, it categorizes musical instruments into five types based on their sound production mechanisms: aerophones, chordophones, membranophones, idiophones, and electrophones.

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4 views

Untitled document (2)

The document provides an overview of sound definitions, methods of sound production, and how humans perceive sound through the ear's anatomy. It details characteristics of sound such as frequency, amplitude, pitch, loudness, and the distinction between audible and inaudible sounds. Additionally, it categorizes musical instruments into five types based on their sound production mechanisms: aerophones, chordophones, membranophones, idiophones, and electrophones.

Uploaded by

mz19202122
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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zChapter sound definitions:​

Vibration: The vibration of sound refers to the back-and-forth motion of particles in a


medium (such as air, water, or solid) that produces sound waves​
​
Methods of producing sound:​
Plucking – Vibration is produced when an object, like a string, is pulled and released,
causing it to oscillate. (Example: Plucking a guitar string.)
Rubbing – Vibration occurs when two surfaces move against each other, creating sound.
(Example: Rubbing the rim of a glass with a wet finger.)
Striking – Vibration is generated when an object is hit, making it move back and forth
rapidly. (Example: Striking a drum with a stick.)
Blowing – Vibration is produced when air is forced through or across an object, causing it to
vibrate. (Example: Blowing into a flute or a whistle.)
​
How humans hear sound:​
When sound waves fall on the eardrum, it vibrates. These vibrations are converted into
electrical signals and transferred to the brain through nerves, eventually the brain interprets
and analyses these signals.​

Parts of the ear:​


Outer ear: also know as pinna. Sound waves are collected by the outer ear and travel
through the narrow canal to the ear drum.
Middle Ear: A thin membrane know as ear drum is present in the middle ear. When an
incoming sound wave from the outer ear fall on the ear drum, it vibrates and transfers these
vibration to three tiny bone know was Malleus, Incus and Stapes. These bones amplify the
sound vibration and transfer them to the cochlea in the inner ear.​
Inner Ear: Cochlea present in the inner ear is a shell shaped structure filled with a fluid.
When the cochlea receives vibrations it converts them into electrical signals. These signals
are sensed by the nerves which send them to the brain where these signals are analysed.​
​
​
Frequency: The total number of vibration produced by a body in a second is called
frequency. Frequency’s SI unit is hertz(Hz). No of vibration=1, Hz= 1.​
​
Amplitude: Maximum distance moved by a vibrating body from its mean position is called
an amplitude. Higher the amplitude, more the loudness. SI unit of amplitude is meter(m).​
​
Characteristics of sound:​
​
Pitch: Pitch is how we hear and describe a sound as high or low, mainly based on the
frequency of the sound wave, where higher frequencies sound higher and lower frequencies
sound lower. High pitch sounds are termed Shrill sounds. Lower pitch sounds are termed
bass.
Loudness: Loudness means whether a sound seems soft or loud. Loudness depends on the
amplitude of the vibration. A large amplitude means louder voice, low amplitude means a
softer voice. Loudness is measured in decibels(dB).

Audible sounds: An object must vibrate at least 20times per second to be heard. Sound
cannot be heard if it exceeds 20,000(Hz) per second. Sound within the rage are termed
Audible sounds.
Inaudible sounds: Sounds below 20 Hz and above 20,000 Hz are inaudible sounds.
Sounds below 20 Hz are called Infrasound. Sound above 20,000 Hz are called Ultrasound.​
​
Quality/Timbre: It is the characteristic that is used to distinguish between two sounds with
the same pitch and loudness. Quality/Timbre is a general term for the distinguishable
characteristic of sound.​
​
Music​
Musical instruments: Any object which one can use to make music is called Musical
Instruments.​
1. Aerophones (Wind Instruments)

●​ What They Are: Instruments that produce sound by vibrating a column of air inside
them.
●​ How They Work: When air is blown into or across the instrument, it causes the air
inside to vibrate, creating sound.
●​ Examples:
○​ Flute – Air is blown across the mouthpiece.
○​ Trumpet – Lips vibrate into a mouthpiece to create sound.
○​ Saxophone – A reed vibrates when air is blown through it.

2. Chordophones (String Instruments)

●​ What They Are: Instruments that produce sound using stretched strings that
vibrate when plucked, bowed, or struck.
●​ How They Work: The vibration of the string creates sound, which is amplified by a
hollow body or an electronic system.
●​ Examples:
○​ Guitar – Strings are plucked or strummed.
○​ Violin – Strings are played with a bow.
○​ Piano – Hammers strike strings inside the instrument.

3. Membranophones (Drums & Skins)

●​ What They Are: Instruments that produce sound by vibrating a stretched


membrane (skin).
●​ How They Work: When the membrane is struck, rubbed, or hit, it vibrates to create
sound.
●​ Examples:
○​ Drums (Tabla, Djembe, Bass Drum) – Hit with hands or sticks.
○​ Bongos – Small drums played with fingers.
○​ Talking Drum – The tension of the skin can be changed to modify pitch.

4. Idiophones (Self-Sounding Instruments)

●​ What They Are: Instruments that produce sound by vibrating their own solid
material (no strings, membranes, or air).
●​ How They Work: The instrument itself vibrates when struck, shaken, or scraped.
●​ Examples:
○​ Xylophone – Wooden bars are hit with mallets.
○​ Cymbals – Metal plates are struck together.
○​ Maracas – Shaken to create sound.

5. Electrophones (Electronic Instruments)

●​ What They Are: Instruments that produce sound using electric signals rather than
physical vibrations.
●​ How They Work: These instruments generate sound electronically, which is then
amplified through speakers.
●​ Examples:
○​ Electric Guitar – Strings vibrate, and pickups convert them into electronic
signals.
○​ Synthesizer – Generates sound digitally or electronically.
○​ Theremin – Played without touch, using hand movements near antennas.

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