What sites (or books) have good information about the physics and acoustics of the flute?

Monday, April 13th, 2009 | Physics

timnuoa asked:

I have already found the UNSW Music acustics page on it, which is very informative, but I am looking for an explanation that is slightly less technical (i’m an 8th grader doing a project, i’m fairly advanced and interested in physics though). I do play flute. Also if you know of a good introduction to acustics of instruments in general, that would be great too.

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Tags: Books, Music, Physics

What physics project can I incorporate on different types of strings, and the sound quality of it? cutie_pie4aj asked: I am to do a physics project,...
What are some colleges that are generally well-known for physics? haxorjoe asked: All my life I’ve been extremely interested...
What is a report/project I could do combining biology and physics? Katherine asked: I have to do a project for...
What ideas are there on building a model rollercoaster for a physics project? jowoods25 asked: I’m looking to build a model rollercoaster...

1 Comment to What sites (or books) have good information about the physics and acoustics of the flute?

simplicitus
April 15, 2009

Unfortunately, there is very little good information and none that is less technical.

There is still no agreement on what would make the ideal material for a flute (and why) and what passes for our current understanding of how the air column is set to vibrate is fairly recent.

As flutist, you know yourself just how much of the flute’s tone is determined by the player rather than the flute. Think of what this implies for a physics explanation of what goes on.

As for other instruments, they are at least as difficult. Analyzing violins and other instruments of the class has been a major research project at MIT (with some lovely results, but hardly simple ones.)

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