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​A musical sound is called a tone, and is produced by air vibrating a certain number of times per second. These vibrations are called waves.The number of times that a sound wave vibrates in a second is called its frequency and is measured in Hertz.  High notes have a higher frequency than lower notes and this changes their shape.

When a xylophone it hits it vibrates and displaces the air molecules. There is a very transfer of energy as the xylophone switches from potential to kinetic energy. When sound waves collide they either bounce(reflect) or bend(refract). To change the pitch of a xylophone you change the size and density of the bars(keys). 

I plan to make my xylophone out of copper or pvc pipe. Which ever produces the better sound and can be sustained. I will play my instrument like everyone else does with this type of instrument; a mallet. 

​I have decided to make a water xylophone.  

1. The friction between the rotating glass and one’s wet finger creates a slight level of friction. This friction creates a vibration in the bowl, which then redirects the vibration’s frequency towards the user.

2. The pitch of the instrument is changed by using an instrument with a different bowl shape/size that produces a frequency equivalent to the specific note.

3. The materials necessary to construct the instrument include numerous glass bowls, a spindle mechanism, and a small container of water. Playing the instrument involves  changing my thumb from one bowl to the next. I plan to complete the instrument as soon as possible.

4. I currently have no additional questions.

I struggled through a death, a viewing, a funeral
Whilst being the hand that others gripped,
But didn't have your hand to hold as hot tears fell from my eyes
And sobs ripped so thoroughly through my throat that I could barely speak.
I didn't have your strong arms to protect me from violent shaking
Or your soft lips to kiss away the hammering in my head.
I was one to be had, but had no one, not even you.

Sound is produced by the vibrations of the strings. The thicker the string the stronger the pitch. The energy that's being transferred from the strings cause a vibration throughout and creates sound waves. I'm changing the pitch by changing the strings by using smaller ones thin ones an thicker ones they all have a different type of pitch whether its high or low or average. The most important physical characteristic in my instrument is the strings which creates the sounds. I will be using the strings or rubber bands to help create the sound overall and I will be using wood possible and some tuning tools to help keep the strings in place and altogether. I will play my instrument using my fingers or a pick to pluck at the strings. I plan on using my class time effectively too help design my instrument and I plan to use outside time as well to help me as well.

So, a thumb piano is an interesting instrument and can make some beautiful music if you know how to play it. Sometimes, the tines are attached to just a piece of wood. However, it is better to use a hollow piece of wood and then a hole in that box. In order to play the instrument, you pluck a series of tines attached to the top of the box, which then vibrate. This vibration is caught in the hollow box and released through the hole. You can cover the hole and uncover it to make interesting sounds. To change the pitch, you must change the tines. Usually, the longest tine is in the middle, with the tines then getting shorter to the left and to the right. The shorter tines have a higher pitch. So, in order to change the pitch of the tines, you have to change the length of the tines. Changing the box simply changes how long the sound resonates (as with the tuning forks). To make the instrument, you need pieces of wood to construct the box, and a piece of small pipe to attach the tines. The tines, though, are a little tricky. I read around and it said that you should use a rake to get the tines. I'm still looking for an alternate way to get the tines. I'll probably use the tip of my nail instead of the fat part of my thumb to pluck the tines, to make a sharper sound. The hardest part of this project will be making the tines the right length, so I'll get the box out of the way early so I have time to work on the tines. I just need to figure out what lengths to make the tines... I may have to figure this out with experimenting though.

There's this guy who's a family friend of ours except we don't like him that much. With that said he's not really a family friend he's just friends with our family friends, and since he's such a dick he has no friends and latches on to us. He constantly insults and puts down other people. He's also extremely pessimistic and bitches about everyone and everything. Anyways, I receive a text from this douchebag who ask what my house number is because he thinks he's right outside. I'm like what the fuck? So i got outside to find him parking his 1980's vespa outside our house. He then asks if he can get a drink. I get him a glass of water and know I'll have to make small talk with him which is really hard for me to do because we just don't relate at all. As we "chat" he bitches about everything and then insults me and tells me I should be driving (coming from a guy who drives a fucking Vespa). As some time goes by my mom comes home and I ditch her with him, to go work on my capstone.
I felt bad, but she understands. I'm seeing a movie with this dick next Tuesday. Wish me luck

Pianos create sound when the player presses a key which triggers a hammer to strike a string. When the hammer strikes the string, it causes a vibration in the string which causes the air molecules to hit each other, making a sound. At this point, a damper is released, causing the string to continue to vibrate. When the key is released, the damper stops the string from vibrating, stopping the sound. ​Pianos pitches and dynamics can be changed depending how the player plays it.The pitch can be changed by pressing a key that strikes either a thicker or thinner string. The volume can be changed by pressing the key either lighter or heavier. I could actually build this instrument by replacing the strings for xylophone bars, which would minimize the amount of materials I would need to build it. I would need wood for the casing, some felt, and various screws. The felt is for the hammer, which causes a softer sound when it hits the xylophone bar. The xylophone bars are what are going to vibrate to make the sound. The wood is used for the casing, the hammer, and the entire action. The screws are going to be used for the action. I will be playing the instrument by pressing the keys which will trigger the hammer to strike the xylophone bar. I will be going to VK's room everyday after school to build it. I will also try to schedule days when I can meet up with Quach (the member who had the highest score for access to materials) so I could build it. 

I would have to say the first benchmark was my favorite benchmark. Our main task was to calculate the consumer price index for various stores. I worked in a group with Dyamond Logan, Camille Granby, and James Smith, which by the way was the best group of people I worked with for a math assignment. We all went to different markets and jot down the regular price and sale price of 25 items and calculate the 5-Number Summary and IQR. Once we completed that, we looked at the distribution of our store, observed the significance between regular and sale price, and compared our mean prices to other stores. 
I have gained valuable statistical data throughout this project because I learned how to calculate the 5-number summary, interquartile range, mean and standard deviation. Along with that I learned how to graph data on box plots and histograms. I honestly enjoyed doing every step of this project because I really understood what I had to complete and I was excited that I could do all the math and equations all by myself.  It was a big accomplishment.

Inquiry: I inquired what grocery store would have the lowest and the highest prices on our items.

Research: I researched information on what consumer price index is and how it’s useful and effective for the costumer.

Collaboration: I collaborated with Dyamond, Camille, James, and a few of the employees at Pathmart.

Presentation: My group and I presented our work and on keynote and the presentation went well.

Reflection: I worked very hard on this benchmark and I feel as though it was the most in compelling subject that we worked on. 

Flute:

After further research into how it is that a flute functions and creates sound, I found that my initial opinion, the one concerning the length of the pipe and the concentration of the air molecules. I initially believed that the concentration of air molecules altered the frequency of the sound waves. This, in turn, creates a deeper or higher pitch when it comes to musical notes or other sounds. The less energy that the molecules transferring the wave have, the lower the pitch, because the frequency is lower. When I put my plans into action, I am hoping to create my flute out of either PVC pipe or copper pipe, depending upon the materials that I can gain access to. I'm planning on placing the holes used to create notes about 15.24cm from one end, then about 2.5cm apart afterward. The hope is that such a design would allow me to play it just like a regular flute. The only real remaining question that I have is whether or not I'll be able to get aid in learning how to play it.

Of the four benchmarks we've completed so far this year, my favorite would have to be the grocery store benchmark from the first quarter. I enjoy doing work that may have an affect on my life rather than solving problem after problem and submitting my answers for your approval. Of the four benchmarks, the grocery store and study guide benchmarks were the only two that had some sort of impact on my life (other than improving my math skills). Even though this benchmark involved some of the most basic statistics topics we've learned, it still did a good job of challenging me. At this point in the year, we were learning about univariate data as well as some basic ways to visualize that data we had collected (histograms, stem & leaf plots, and box & whisker plots). We took what we had learned about how to collect and visualize data, and we were able to apply it by comparing the prices of certain items at grocery stores in order to determine which stores were the cheapest.

Inquiry: Our initial question was, what are the cheapest grocery stores in the city of Philadelphia?
Research: We researched by having each group member go to their individual grocery store and gather prices for 25 different items.
Collaboration: After each group member had gathered their information, we were able to compare results with each other and together we came up with graphs showing which stores were the cheapest.
Presentation: We presented our results in front of our classmates.
Reflection: Not only did we each have to write a reflection for the benchmark, but we also now know what stores to shop at as well as which products to buy if we are focusing on saving money.

Today after school, I spent almost 2 hours in Vk's room finishing my capstone.  I have never hated steel-belted tires more in my life. At least, I'll never have to mess with them again (unless of course, I choose to)!

The Flute:

The flute is an instrument that interests me because woodwind instruments seem fairly easy to manipulate to me. In addition to this, there is a lot you can test as far as sound waves are concerned. They act as a sort of large tuning fork, and therefore testing for them can be done with a fair amount of efficiency. When playing the flute, the player essentially alters the length of the pipe by covering or opening the holes that are spaced over the length of it. This, in turn, changes the note that one plays. So depending on what combination of holes are covered and are not, when the player blows into the primary hole on one end or the other, he or she can play a note, creating different kinds of music. Now the reason for this, presumably, is because altering the length of the pipe alters the concentration of the air molecules. This, in turn, alters the amount of vibration that they are allowed, and the consequence of this is an alteration in the frequency of the sound wave that is released. 

​A thumb piano produces a sound by the vibrations of the metal pieces. It travels into the hollowed out box through the sound hold like a piano and makes a sound. The longer the piece vibrates the longer the note is held. The thumb piano consists of different length, flat metal pieces. You can change the lengths and tune it by undoing the bar holding them down and moving the pieced back and forth to the correct tune and pitch. For the box I'll be using wooden boards I'll cut and shape for the correct size. Then i'll take some pieces of spring metal from a rake and use that as the keys. A metal bar to hold down the pieces with screws for tuning.

A thumb piano produces a sound by the vibrations of the metal pieces. It travels into the hollowed out box through the sound hold like a piano and makes a sound. The longer the piece vibrates the longer the note is held. The thumb piano consists of different length, flat metal pieces. You can change the lengths and tune it by undoing the bar holding them down and moving the pieced back and forth to the correct tune and pitch. For the box I'll be using wooden boards I'll cut and shape for the correct size. Then i'll take some pieces of spring metal from a rake and use that as the keys. A metal bar to hold down the pieces with screws for tuning.

A thumb piano produces a sound by the vibrations of the metal pieces. It travels into the hollowed out box through the sound hold like a piano and makes a sound. The longer the piece vibrates the longer the note is held. The thumb piano consists of different length, flat metal pieces. You can change the lengths and tune it by undoing the bar holding them down and moving the pieced back and forth to the correct tune and pitch. For the box I'll be using wooden boards I'll cut and shape for the correct size. Then i'll take some pieces of spring metal from a rake and use that as the keys. A metal bar to hold down the pieces with screws for tuning.

This year in statistics we have learned a nice amount of concepts that could probably help us out later on in life. We took notes, quizzes, and even had to present quarterly projects known as benchmarks to help reflect what knowledge we gained while learning these concepts. Some of the benchmarks we had to do were time consuming, tedious, and just made you frustrated, but in the end we better understood the purpose and meaning of what we were learning. 
The benchmark I most enjoyed doing and completing was the 4th quarter benchmark. For this benchmark we had to create a study guide of all of the concepts we learned and if we wanted to some of the math that we would be taking up while in college. We had to make the study as if we were letting like ourselves use it to help understand what we learned or what we were going to learn while studying in college. 
For this benchmark like every other benchmark or project at SLA we had to apply the five cores values with our project which are: Inquiry, Collaboration, Presentation, Reflection, and Research. Most people would think that is a lot to put into a project, but when you do the type of work we do and you do it well it comes pretty easy. 
This is how I applied each of the core values to my project,
Inquiry- I asked myself what helps me learn and understand the concepts given to me in class? How many visualizations should I put in? How much detail should I add for each concept. So basically I asked myself what is it that I would like to see in a study guide that would help me with learning something I didn't understand.

Research- We had to find out what kinds of math classes we had to take during our first year in college. If we never heard or took that type of math before we had to research exactly what is was, and what we could learn from it.

Collaboration- This might not seem much as collaboration but I think it was in a way. For me I asked some people did they understand what I was trying to say especially if I wasn't sure myself. Ask people to kind of peer edit my work for any mistakes.

Presentation-  I put it all together on a keynote, which is like a power point but better when it comes to design. And for the background I made it look like a notebook to give it a school, learning type feel. I tried to make it something like a workbook a child would get while they were in the 4th grade. Something simple.

Reflection- We had to talk with my teacher Ms. Thompson about the work we did. I told her what I did and did not do well. How much effort I put into doing this project. What I liked most and didn't like most about it. So we basically graded ourselves on the project, which was cool.
It was a fun project to do, and I enjoyed doing although I thought nine topics was a bit much but I still got it done.

The sound is produced by the pressurized air of my breath as it travels through the pipe. The casing acts as a tension which once the sounds reaches the specific holes, is released and produces varying pitches. I am chaining the pitch by placing the holes along the pipe in specific spots. The spacing in between the holes are essential because it determines the pitch released. I will be using PVC piping to create the pipe. It is a material that I have used to build with before and it also seems like a the perfect material that'll help produce the specific sound I want. I still need to learn on where it is that i need to specifically place the holes and how it'll effect the sound produced.

what makes you think acting like a dumb b*tch will get you anywhere in life. Seriously, putting on the voice of a three year old, giggling, and twirling your hair just makes you seem like a cheap immature trick. I'm just saying, if you want the guy to like you act your age, the whole little girl act only gets you so far, I mean unless you want everyone to see you as sleazy, i mean easy.

In my previous blog, I did a little bit of research on two types of instruments that I thought I might be playing, which were a violin and a guitar. However, after talking with my group, I chose to pick a different instrument so that there would be a balance between string and percussion. The instrument that I will be focusing on in this blog is a flute.

Sound is produced by this instrument when air is blown into the mouth piece which creates a wave of air to flow through. The air behaves like a stiff spring and as the player continues to blow, the spring receives those pulses and begins vibrating. As the wave vibrates through the flute, sound is created.

Based on my understanding, in order to change the pitch of the sound, the player must place their fingers on different holes on the flute, to alter the flow of air, which changes the wave and therefore changes the pitch.The characteristics that are important in this instrument are, a hollow tube through which air can pass through, small holes on one side of the flute, and an opening through which a person can blow air into the instrument.

I have done some research and it seems as if the simplest way to make a flute would be out of PVC pipes because it provides a good hollow structure for air to easily travel through and for sound to be made, also it is relatively easy to find. My plan for constructing the instrument is to borrow some PVC pipes from VK's  engineering room and then carve small holes on the top, and a mouth piece on one end. 

As of now, I don't have any outstanding questions regarding my instrument or this project. I would like to continue learning more about waves so that I can better my understanding of how music is created through instruments.