UIUC Physics 199POM
Physics of Music/Physics of Musical Instruments
Student Projects
Fall Semester 2007:

1. Andrew Brill and Drew Breeson measured the acoustical properties of various samples of wood used in the construction of Andrew Brill's acoustic guitar:

• The Acoustical Properties of Wood (Final Written Report, Adobe PDF)

2. Kim Bongen, Beth Jenkins and Amanda Pooley measured the acoustical properties of two different celli - a Stradivarius type and a Montangnana type:

• A Tale of Two Celli (Final Written Report, Adobe PDF)

3. Eric Egner carried out frequency-dependent measurements of the reverberation time of the 6th floor of Engineering Sciences Building (ESB):

• ESB 6th Floor Reverberation Time Study (Final Written Report, Adobe PDF)

4. Matt Feickert analyzed the sonic and mechanical vibrational properties of a Fender BG-29 acoustic/electric bass guitar:

• Summary of the Acoustical, Electronic, and Mechanical Wave Properties of the BG29 Fender Acoustic/Electric Bass (Final Oral Presentation, Adobe PDF)

• Summary of the Acoustical, Electronic, and Mechanical Wave Properties of the BG29 Fender Acoustic/Electric Bass (Final Written Report, Adobe PDF)

5. Emily Ferguson analyzed the acoustical properties of meditation bowls:

• Acoustical Properties of Meditation Bowls (Final Written Report, Adobe PDF)

• Modal Vibrations of a Small Meditation Bowl (Quicktime Movie)

• Modal Vibrations of a Large Meditation Bowl (Quicktime Movie)

6. Daniel Klinger and Yildiz Kabaran analyzed and compared the harmonic content of notes played on an electric guitar:

• Tonal Variety: At a Guitarist’s Fingertips? (Final Written Report, Adobe PDF)

7. Chris Kurtz investigated the sonic properties of various waveforms output from his Yamaha Sy77 Synthesizer:

• A Beginning Review of Music Synthesizers; A Basic Analysis of the Yamaha SY77 Synthesizer (Final Written Report, Adobe PDF)

8. Karen Ng investigated different types of whistling sounds:

• Investigation of Different Types of Whistling Sounds (Final Written Report, Adobe PDF)

9. Michael Steadman investigated the acoustic properties of a Hilo soprano ukulele and a Suzuki classical guitar:

• Acoustic Properties of a Hilo Soprano Ukulele and a Suzuki Classical Guitar (Final Written Report, Adobe PDF)

10. Will Zieske investigated the effects of music on rebuilding the human psyche:

• The Effects of Music on Rebuilding the Human Psyche (Final Written Report, Adobe PDF)

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