How Do Wind Instruments Produce Sound?
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Introduction
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Wind instruments got their name because they utilize human breath to generate sound. The vibration in the mouthpiece caused by the musician's breath is picked up and amplified by the instrument. These amplified vibrations are turned into sound.
Fluctuating the breath that goes into the instrument or changing the different escape points for the air inside the main tube of the instrument creates various notes. Wind instruments generally use either a cylindrical or a cone shape to harness and release their sound. The flute, clarinet, saxophone, tuba and trumpet are all examples of wind instruments.
How They Work
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Sound of any kind is caused by vibration. Generally, sound is an energy wave that causes a disturbance in the air. When these waves of energy collide with air, sound is created. Without air for the energy waves to travel through, such as in outer space, no sound is possible.
When sound vibrations are fast, the ear hears higher-pitched sounds. Likewise slower sound waves create lower pitches. Some instruments such as the clarinet use a wooden piece called a reed to get the vibrations started.
There are normally holes in the tube that either are covered by metal keys or your fingers. By opening and closing these holes, the tube is made longer and shorter and change how far the vibrations have to travel to escape the instrument. Longer-traveling vibrations result in a lower pitch while shortening the tube by opening an airway closer to the mouthpiece results in a higher pitch.
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Variations
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Each wind instrument operates differently. The addition of valves and keys allow for greater flexibility in hitting notes and harmonics and give the musician more options in the creation of her music. Most brass instruments contain three to four valves that are operated using keys to allow the playing of various notes. Wood instruments are generally more complicated and can have more than two dozen different keys to choose from and different types of reeds that can affect the overall sound.
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