Musical Instrument Project: Final Report

Introduction:
Throughout this report I will be talking to you about the flute which was chosen to be our
main focus in my Science class instrument project. However, we made flutes out of
tubes instead because that would defeat the project’s main purpose. Anyways, I’ll be
talking about the history of this particular instrument from where it originated. Not a lot of
people know that flutes are one of the oldest instruments and who first invented them, in
order to find out you’ll read Section 1. The next topic is the calculations I’ve did for the 3
Tubes that were done during class time, here you’ll learn how to use a formula that is
only used to look for the measurements (length) for a specific note. More information
will be found on Section 2 as well with the included formula. Lastly, I will explain to you
the physics behind how our tube’s are able to produce sound just by blown into. I’ll also
explain the relationship between wavelength and frequency, how some tubes produce
different types of pitches, etc. To learn more about this, you’ll have to scroll down all the
way to Section number 3. That is all for the introduction and let’s begin with the history.

1) History of Flutes: 2/26/2019

Flutes are an unique instrument that’s part of the woodwind group, it’s known to be one
of the world’s most oldest instrument known to human beings. However, not everyone
knows where they came from, did it appear out of nowhere? I’m positive that they come
from some part of the world, but where exactly? So to answer those questions that you
might be asking yourself, there are 3 paragraphs below this one that will cover mostly
everything you need to know from the geography and materials used for this instrument.

Before we get into the background of this instrument, let’s figure out exactly what
a flute is. A flute is part of the woodwind group but unlike those instruments, a flute is an
aerophone or reedless instrument that produces its own sound by the flow of air across
an opening, however they’re more known as edge-blown aerophones. Now that we
know that, let’s move on with the flute’s geography.

In terms of the instrument’s geography, a group of scientists have found a 35,000-year-

old flute in a cave from Germany which was marked as the oldest instrument ever
discovered. Then you have another case where a flute has also been discovered in
China, the flute was a Gudi which meant “Bone Flute”, that is now a 9,000-year-old
instrument that has been excavated from a tomb in 1986. All of that I just explained, is
evidence and enough proof to tell us that flutes first originally started off in the Eastern
Side of the world before being brought here. Flutes have been here for quite a long time
now, they’re about 30,000 to 42,000 years old and the appearance of the flute is
different than the one we know today. Until the year 1830, Theobald Boehm, a German
inventor and musician, had built the first modern flute and perfected the Western
Concert Flute. Giving the flute a newly and better fingering system where it would later
be named after him, the Boehm System. Thanks to him, the flute is way easier to play
now and more comfortable with the improved finger system. The purpose of a flute
seems to mainly be about music, and when it comes to music we mostly think about
those used in any orchestra. However, flutes were also used in culture and to name an
example they were used in Native American Culture. The instrument during that time
was used for courtship, healing, meditation, and spiritual rituals. And now lastly, I’ll talk
about the materials used to make flutes which I’ll explain in three versions. First we’ll
talk about historical flutes like the Gudi (Bone Flute) which was made from the wings of
a Red-Crowned Crane, and another example would be the 35,000 year-old flute from
Germany which was made entirely of a wing bone from a vulture. Second would be the
modern flute, which are made of 7 types of Silver (Including Silver itself); Nickel, Coin,
Sterling, Britannia, .946 Altus, and Gold-Silver (GS) Allo. Other than just Silver, there is
Aurumite, Platinum, Grenadilla, and Wood. Finally, are the flutes that we’ve constructed
in class. Materials used were a pipe that could be measured and cut depending on the
length of a note, and the last material was a cap to close one side of the flute itself.

To summarize everything, this instrument is part of the woodwind family known

as an edge-blown aerophone that first originated in the Eastern World. Where it would
be modernized by German inventor Theobald Boehm and given its iconic look that
everyone knows today. Flutes had two purposes in terms of both music and culture and
were made of different materials such as metals, wood, and even bones from certain
animals. This is the entire background of this 42,000-year-old instrument and it really
surprised me to know all of this information. I’m glad that I was able to do this type of
research, it was informal and fun at the same time.

2) Calculations: 2/21/2019
Flutes are known to have different pitches depending on their length. But just how
exactly are we supposed to know how much were supposed to be measuring and
cutting. Well there’s where we have to do calculations in order to find the exact length
by doing the formula down below for both medium and high notes.
Formula: L = (dinside ÷ 2) + [(vsound) ÷ (2f)]
Converting to cm: (# in) (2.54 cm/1in) = # cm ≃ estimated answer.

C5 = 523.25 Hz
L = (dinside ÷ 2) + [(vsound) ÷ (2f)]
L = (.5 in ÷ 2) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2) (523.25 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (1046.5 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + (12.8019552 in)
L = 13.0519532 in
Now convert to centimeters:
L = (13.0519532 in) (2.54 cm/1 in) = 33.1519611 cm ≃ 33.15 cm
D5 = 587.33 Hz
L = (dinside ÷ 2) + [(vsound) ÷ (2f)]
L = (.5 in ÷ 2) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2) (587.33 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (1174.66 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + (11.40521002 in)
L = 11.65521002 in
Now convert to centimeters:
L = (11.65521002 in) (2.54 cm/1 in) = 29.60423345 cm ≃ 29.60 cm
E5 = 659.25 Hz
L = (dinside ÷ 2) + [(vsound) ÷ (2f)]
L = (.5 in ÷ 2) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2) (659.25 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (1318.5 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + (10.1609783 in)
L = 10.41097383 in
Now convert to centimeters:
L = (10.41097383 in) (2.54 cm/1 in) = 26.44387353 cm ≃ 26.44 cm
F5 = 698.46 Hz
L = (dinside ÷ 2) + [(vsound) ÷ (2f)]
L = (.5 in ÷ 2) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2) (698.46 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (1396.92 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + (9.59055923 in)
L = 9.84055923 in
Now convert to centimeters:
L = (9.84055923 in) (2.54 cm/1 in) = 24.99502044 cm ≃ 25.00 cm
G5 = 783.99 Hz
L = (dinside ÷ 2) + [(vsound) ÷ (2f)]
L = (.5 in ÷ 2) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2) (783.99 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (1567.98 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + (8.544269697 in)
L = 8.794269697 in
Now convert to centimeters:
L = (8.794269697 in) (2.54 cm/1 in) = 22.33744503 cm ≃ 22.34 cm
A5 = 880.00 Hz
L = (dinside ÷ 2) + [(vsound) ÷ (2f)]
L = (.5 in ÷ 2) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2) (880.00 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (1760 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + (7.612070455 in)
L = 7.862070455 in
Now convert to centimeters:
L = (7.862070455 in) (2.54 cm/1 in) = 19.96965896 cm ≃ 19.97 cm
B5 = 987.77 Hz
L = (dinside ÷ 2) + [(vsound) ÷ (2f)]
L = (.5 in ÷ 2) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2) (987.77 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (1975.54 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + (6.781560485 in)
L = 7.031560485 in
Now convert to centimeters:
L = (7.0315060485 in) (2.54 cm/1 in) = 17.86016363 cm ≃ 17.86 cm
C6 = 1046.5 Hz
L = (dinside ÷ 2) + [(vsound) ÷ (2f)]
L = (.5 in ÷ 2) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2) (1046.5 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2093 cycles/s)]
L = (.25 in) + (6.40097659 in)
L = 6.65097659 in
Now convert to centimeters:
L = (6.65097659 in) (2.54 cm/1 in) = 16.8934805 cm ≃ 16.89 cm

Tube 1: Note = C5 Dinside = 0.5 F = 523.25 L = 33.15 cm (33.1519611 cm)

Tube 2: Note = D5 Dinside = 0.5 F = 587.33 L = 29.60 cm (29.60423345 cm)
Tube 3: Note = E5 Dinside = 0.5 F = 659.25 L = 26.44 cm (26.44387353 cm)
Tube 4: Note = F 5 Dinside = 0.5 F = 698.46 L = 25.00 cm (24.99502044 cm)
Tube 5: Note = G5 Dinside = 0.5 F = 783.99 L = 22.34 cm (22.33744503 cm)
Tube 6: Note = A5 Dinside = 0.5 F = 880.00 L = 19.97 cm (19.96965896 cm)
Tube 7: Note = B5 Dinside = 0.5 F = 987.77 L = 17.86 cm (17.86016363 cm)
Tube 8: Note = C6 Dinside = 0.5 F = 1046.5 L = 16.89 cm (16.8934805 cm)

Summary:
In order to figure out what the lengths were for each tube, I had to use the formula that I
showcase above where I had to plug in some numbers in order to receive their lengths.
-
L = (D ÷ 2) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2) (# cycles/s)]

As an example, for Tube 1 I had to plug in 0.50 for D but had to divide it by 2 in order to
get 0.25, and for cycles/s I needed to plug in Tube 1’s frequency.
-
L = (0.5 ÷ 2) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2) (# cycles/s)]
L = (0.25 in) + [(13397.244 in/s) ÷ (2) (523.25 cycles/s)]

With everything now plugged in, now we can begin to do the actual work. First you’ll
want to start by multiplying 2 and 523.25, you then will receive 1,046.5 and now you’ll
divide it by 13397.244. The result will be 12.8019532 and once you have that you’ll add
0.25 to 12.8019532 and your final answer to this section will be 13.0519532.
-
2 x 523.25 cycles/s = 1,046.5 => L = (0.25 in) + [(13397.233 in/s) ÷ (1,046.5 cycles/s)]
13397.244 in/s ÷ 1,046.5 cycles/s = 12.8019532 => L = (0.25 in) + (12.8019532 in)
0.25 in + 12.8019532 in = 13.0519532 in => L = 13.0519532 in

We’re not done yet, that was the first section of the calculations we still need to convert
our number (13.0519532 in) into centimeters. In this section, you’ll have to multiply
13.0519532 in and 2.54 cm/1 in and you’ll receive your converted number 33.1519611
cm. We are still not done since you have to estimate your final answer and you will
finally receive Tube 1’s length which will be 33.15 cm.
-
L = (13.0519532 in) x (2.54 cm/1 in) = 33.1519611 cm
33.1519611 cm ≃ 33.15 cm

That is how to do the calculations in a short little summary, hopefully the steps are clear
for you to understand and if you do you can see just how simple and easy all of this is.
Stick with this formula for all times when calculating a tube’s entire length.

3) Physics: 3/13/2019
Now we have our measurements for each note, and hopefully by this point you know
how to blow into a flute. But, how does blowing into a flute help create the sound/pitch
just exactly? Well it’s simple, having a certain length gives you a specific pitch which is
another way of saying that wavelength determines the frequency of your tube. You
might not understand that but don’t worry, the information below will explain to you just
how flutes in general operate.

Relationship Between Length of Tube and Pitch:

I have 3 tubes, C6, E6, and D6. These tubes all have a different length, for example, C6
has a length of 16.89 cm, E6 has a length of 13.54 cm, and D6 with the length of 15.12
cm. So, from the biggest length, C6, has the lowest pitch out of the three. E6 is just in
the middle being the second one with the lowest pitch, and D6 being the shortest with
the highest pitch out of the three. If the length of a tube is large then it’ll receive a low
pitch and if its length is short like D6 it would receive a high pitch. That is how I was
successful at giving each tube their own pitch, just by calculating their lengths to receive
the pitch I want and cutting correctly to the correct length in order to receive it.

Amount of Wavelength That Fits in a Tube:

Knowing the relationship between the length and pitch of those 3 tubes is useful, but
what you also need to consider is the amount of a wavelength that fits in those tubes.
The tubes that we worked with have a cap at the end making it a closed tube, having a
tube closed at one end means that it’ll only fit about ¼ of a wavelength. However, if we
were working with an opened tube at both sides then it’ll be able to fit about ½ of a
wavelength inside.

Example: The second picture on the right mostly describes the amount of wavelength
we were able to fit inside our tubes.

How Pitch or Frequency is Determined:

All wavelengths in any opened or closed tube will travel at the same speed, however, in
terms of frequency it is determined by how quickly the soundwave is making air vibrate
and has nothing to do with the intensity or amplitude of the wave. This helps us indicate
that having a high pitch would mean rapid movement while having a low pitch would be
identified as having slower movement. With this information shown above we can tell
that pitch has to depend on frequency in order to produce any type of sound (high or
low).
Example: When the wavelength is short, it’ll have high frequency, high sound (pitch),
and rapid movement. The same applies to a long wavelength except the opposite with a
low frequency and low sound.

Relationship Between Frequency and Wavelength:

Pitch depends on frequency but since I said “All wavelength travel at the same speed”
and “that frequency is determined by how quickly the soundwave is making the air
vibrate”, makes you wonder if they’re similar. Well, the relationship between Frequency
and Wavelength would be that they both determine how a soundwave would sound. For
example, the higher the frequency and the shorter the wavelength would identify as a
high pitch sound. Then having a lower frequency and a bigger wavelength would create
a low pitch sound. Knowing this information is a great tool to identify the pitch of the
tubes we made in class, because you’ll already know the basics of how long a pipe
should be to create a high/low pitch sound. So frequency and wavelength are major
parts that help create a tube’s pitch in conclusion

Example: Having a higher frequency would mean that your wavelength would be
shorter than having lower frequency. Lower frequency would have a longer wavelength
than a higher frequency with a shorter wavelength.

Conclusion:
From the information you had read, having a certain length to your tube will give you a
specific pitch and if you don’t have the correct pitch. You’ll have to measure and cut a
certain part of the tube off just to receive a high/low pitch. However, your tube is closed
at one end so only ¼ of a wavelength is able to fit. In that tube, you rather have a short
wavelength or long wavelength depending on your tube’s total size, a small tube will
include a lot of waves, rapid movement, high frequency, and a high pitch sound, and a
longer tube will include only a few waves, slower movement, low frequency, and a lower
pitch sound. Which is basically how Frequency and Wavelength come into place by
determining your tube’s pitch in the first place. Of course you’ll have to start off by doing
calculations first, but once you’re done with all of that you’ll use this knowledge to create
your first successful flute. With all of this information you should be successful at
making your very own flute.

Final Statement/Summary:
This was my final report for my Science class’ Musical Instrument Project, where I’ve
had explained the history of the flute, shown how to do calculations to figure out a tube’s
exact length to get a high/low pitch, and explained the physics behind how flutes are
able to produce sound. Hopefully with this information you will be able to construct your
own flute just like how I did throughout these past weeks. You will now fully understand
where flutes come from, the instrument’s background, the materials used, the entire
formula for calculations, amount of wavelength in each type of tube (closed/opened),
and everything else that was listed. All of this information will help you just like it did for
me, one example I could think of out of this whole section of science is that information
in the Physics Explanation could help you exams. Because in the section of “how much
wavelength fits in a tube” would be really useful when you’re counting how many
wavelengths are there. But overall, I hope that with this report I’ve done will support you
with the understanding of this unique instrument called the flute and how it exactly
works in general.