Acoustics of Music Instruments and the Human Voice

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Subject guarantor:

Zdeněk OTČENÁŠEK

Name of lecturer(s):

Zdeněk OTČENÁŠEK

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

This course provides a basic bearing in physical properties of natural sources of music signals and an understanding of the effect of subjective sound property perception, particularly with a view to organizing their sound recording.

Mode of study:

Interactive instruction.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

Knowledge of the basic concepts music acoustics.

Recommended optional programme components:

none

Course contents:

1. Source of music sound as an acoustic system, tone generation model, Division of musical instruments from an acoustic perspective

2. Chordophones, string osscilations, resonator properties, string instrument tone color, string and piano tone color

3. Aerophones, oscilation mechanisms, vibration of wind columns, woodwind and brass instrument tone color

4. Pipe organs: lip and tongue pipes, construction of organ sounds, diapozon registers, influence of bladder and tract on organ tone properties

5. Idiophones and membranophones, stick osscilations, plates and membranes, sound color of tuned and non-tuned percussion instruments

6. Tuning musical instruments, systems overview, measuring tuning

7. Dynamic and performance properties of musical instruments, directional beam properties of musical instruments

8. Voice: human vocal tract, vocal chords, the vocal tract, formants (vowels, consonants); Dynamics properties (whisper, accent), melody and understandable words

9. Singing voice: Development and division according to range, intonation and singing voice technique, breathing, dynamic properties of the singing voice

10. Musical instruments in a space: types of spaces, influence of sound properties

11. Development of musical instruments:music and sound thought, constructive treatment, manageability

12. Sound quality: aesthetic qualities, acoustic qualities of musical instruments and music spaces

13. Summary

Recommended or required reading:

V. Syrový: Hudební akustika, AMU 2003, kap. 6

V. Syrový: Kapitoly o varhanách, AMU 2004, kap. 2-6

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

Lecture, classes.

Assessment methods and criteria:

Activity in lectures and classes.

Course web page:

Note:

none

Schedule for winter semester 2014/2015:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2014/2015:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Sound Design - Master (optional subject)
• Sound Design (Bc) (next compulsory subject)