Monochord Lab Instructions

Alex J. Medearis, Ryan J. Cassidy, Edgar J. Berdahl, and Julius O. Smith III

REALSIMPLE Project¹

Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA)
Department of Music
Stanford University
Stanford, California 94305

Abstract:

This is a laboratory activity for monochord. It investigates basic aspects of plucked-string vibration in the time and frequency domains. Students will preferably have taken physics in high school and may even be familiar with some topics from college-level freshman physics.

Detailed Contents (and Navigation)

• Introduction
• Summary of Objectives
• Background
• Theory Of Vibrating Strings
• Equipment
• Procedure
  • Part 1: Setup
  • Part 2: Amplitude
  • Part 3: Fundamental Frequency
  • Part 4: Frequency Content
  
  
• Challenge Problem
• Bibliography
• About this document ...