Build Day 2

The team started build day two to undertake the creation of the frame. Because the tubes were cut, we needed a housing so they could be properly played. The housing needed to be rigid enough to hold the pipes, but not interfere with the sound generation through the pipes. So, the group decided to use glue and some pressure to make the frame. No nails were driven though the pipes (which would have probably split them). Pictures of this can be see below:

Screws were used to secure the pieces of wood together. However these did not interfere with the pipes.

Mike Securing the pieces of pop within the wooded frame. The device took a pan flute like appearance as it was assembled. This allowed for a step like arrangement of the pipes, allowing for easier playing.


The pan-flute shape can be seen more easily here.


The instrument during concert rehearsal. Percussion performed well! Go Mike!

Project Build Day

Well, this post is a long time coming. A few weeks ago the percussion group met to go procure materials for the instrument that we were fabricating. Wood, bolts, and PVC was bought prior to the build day.

On build day, the group brought the materials to Kettering Labs on a sleepy Saturday morning. To make the instrument, the group started cutting a test piece of PVC. From this inital test piece, a tuned guitar was used to match the pitch of "A". This proved to be difficult, but was manageable with a guitar tuner's aid. A picture of the tuning can be seen below.


Once we had the "A" tuned tube, then the other tube lengths could be determined from the sound-wave equation. We set up an excel list that specified the different notes based on lengths and frequency. After determining the proper lengths, all of the pieces of PVC were cut to length. The two pictures below show the measurement and cutting of the PVC pipes.


The Cut PVC was labeled for later so that we wouldn't lose or forget which pipe contained which pitch. E, D#,C#,B,A,G#, and F# were all made from the PVC. These pipes can be seen below.
Now that the pipes are designed and cut, the group needs to build the frame for the instrument out of wood. Once the pipes are housed, music needs to be written and practiced to make sure that the instrument performs well.

That's all for now.

Picking An Instrument

The group met in Marycrest to decide on a final concept. The group is producing a PVC "drumbone", which will consist of various lengths of PVC pipe. The group will make mathematical calculations depending on the tube parameters to create the desired notes from the PVC. A rubber or foam paddle will be used to strike the top of the PVC to create a sound wave which will propagate through and create the note. A frame will also be built to hold the PVC pipes.

The next meeting will be held after fall break once the PVC pipe has been bought. The pipe will be cut to determine an A440 measurement. From that measurement the other pipes will be cut and assembled into the final piece.

More updates to follow!

Percussion! Project Start

The planning for our project is underway! Updates will be provided when the are available.