UIUC Physics 199POM
Physics of Music/Physics of Musical Instruments
Student Projects
Fall Semester 2004:

1. Alena Zidlicky investigated and compared the harmonic/tonal properties of three Conn 8D french horns:

• Horn of a Different Color Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation (Adobe PDF file)
• Horn of a Different Color (Adobe PDF file)

2. Alex Mohr investigated the acoustic properties of PVC pipes - like those used in the Blue Man Group:

• PVC Chorus: The Physics of the Blue Man Group (Adobe PDF file)

3. Andrew Buettner and Sam Stumpf investigated/compared the acoustic properties of multiple resonances of notes on the trombone -
i.e. the same notes, but played at different positions on the trombone:

• Multiple Resonances of Notes on the Trombone (Adobe PDF file)

4. Aras Zygas investigated the acoustical physics properties of singing wine glasses:

• The Singing Wine Glass (Adobe PDF file)

5. Brian Lunardini carried out a study of speakers and investigated their harmonic properties:

• A Study of Speakers and Their Harmonics (Adobe PDF file)

6. Chris Szymanski researched the history of the guitar and other stringed acoustical instruments:

• The History of the Guitar (Adobe PDF file)

7. Dana Kurtz and Nick Dettman investigated and analyzed the sounds produced by the vibraphone and the marimba:

• The Sounds Produced by the Vibraphone and the Marimba (Adobe PDF file)

8. Danielle Campanella and Michele Unger compared/contrasted the harmonic properties of a flute to those of a clarinet:

• A Comparison of the Sounds from a Flute and a Clarinet (Adobe PDF file)

9. Hans Michel investigated the tonal impact of sound(s) produced by an electric guitar when the AC line voltage to the guitar amplifier is systematically varied from 90-130 Volts:

• AC Voltage and Guitar Tone Mania (Adobe PDF file)

10. Marty Hanlon researched the effects of sound on the human body:

• An Alternative to Hearing: The Effects of Sound on the Human Body as a Whole and Applications Thereof (Adobe PDF file)

11. Phil Byrne investigated mechanical resonance properties of 3 different acoustic guitars, and resonant differences between muted vs. un-muted strings on an acoustic guitar:

• A Comparison of the Resonant Properties of Three Acoustic Guitars and A Comparison of the Resonant Properties of An Acoustic Guitar With Muted vs. Un-Muted Strings (Adobe PDF file)
• Re(V), Im(V), |V|, etc. Plots for A Comparison of the Resonant Properties of Three Acoustic Guitars (Adobe PDF file)
• Re(V), Im(V), |V|, etc. Plots for A Comparison of the Resonant Properties of an Ibanez PF15CE Acoustic Guitar - Muted vs. Un-Muted Strings (Adobe PDF file)
• Re(V), Im(V), |V|, etc. Plots for Ibanez PF15CE Acoustic Guitar {Un-Muted Strings} (Adobe PDF file)
• Re(V), Im(V), |V|, etc. Plots for Ibanez PF15CE Acoustic Guitar {Muted Strings} (Adobe PDF file)
• Re(V), Im(V), |V|, etc. Plots for Gibson J-45 Acoustic Guitar {Muted Strings} (Adobe PDF file)
• Re(V), Im(V), |V|, etc. Plots for Washburn D10 Acoustic Guitar {Muted Strings} (Adobe PDF file)

12. Ted Sanders and Nathan Himes carried out a comparison of two different mouthpieces and normal vs. embouchure positions on the trumpet:

• A Dark Sound: A Comparison of Two Mouthpieces and Embouchure Positions (Adobe PDF file)

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