Wind Instruments
Purpose
A collection of recorders, PVC flutes, and a Xaphoon demonstrates air column resonance and standing waves. Students hear how instrument length determines pitch and can compare edge-tone (recorder/flute) and reed-based (Xaphoon) sound production.
Figure 1:
Recorder set: bass, tenor, alto, and soprano. Longer instruments produce lower pitches, illustrating the inverse relationship between air column length and frequency.
Figure 2:
PVC flutes made from standard pipe with drilled tone holes. These simple instruments show that basic materials are sufficient to demonstrate air column acoustics.
Figure 3:
The Xaphoon, a single-reed instrument, provides contrast with the edge-tone recorders and flutes. A vibrating reed modulates airflow to produce sound.
Figure 4:
A larger-diameter PVC flute with tone holes. Opening holes effectively shortens the air column, raising the pitch.
Equipment
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