SCI 214 Science of Musical Instruments

This is an introduction to the science of musical instruments. This class will combine theory and experiments on the following topics: vibrations and waves; superposition of waves and resonance; sound waves in air; hearing and speech in humans; sound pressure level and loudness; pitch and timbre; combination of tones and harmony. The physics of string, woodwind, percussion, and electronic musical instruments will also be covered in this course. Lab experiments and hands-on demonstrations are a strong component of the course.