Acoustics Comparison: Carpet and Vinyl Flooring

What are the acoustic properties of flooring? The following sound samples from SoundCloud can be used to compare these two common flooring options!


Sound Samples

• Carpet Floor
• Vinyl Floor

Questions

1. Describe the sound in each sample.
2. On a scale of 1 (none) to 10 (highest), rate the amount of each of the following in each sample:
1. Resonance
2. Echo
3. Damping
4. Decay
3. Which of the following tone qualities applies most to sample 1? Sample 2?
1. Mellow
2. Harsh
3. Bold
4. Jazzy
5. Buzzy
6. Loud
7. Metallic
8. Edgy
9. Smooth
10. Tinny
4. Which flooring is better for recording music? Why?
5. Bonus Questions:
1. What is the instrument?
2. What is the name of the tune?

Learn more about the science of music with books and multimedia from Schottenbauer Publishing!

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Decibels & Hearing

Decibels are the measurement unit for the level of sound. Noise level is measured on a logarithmic scale, with the threshold of hearing at 0 decibels. On this scale, a typical conversation is approximately at 60 decibels, a vacuum cleaner at 70 decibels, and a jackhammer at 100 decibels. 

According to OSHA, high sound level exposure is linked to hearing loss, particularly if the exposure to loud noises is prolonged over time. OSHA's permissible exposure limit is approximately 90 decibels.

Are musical instruments safe to perform? Consider the graph below, excerpted from Where Does Sound Come From? Volume 2, Revised Ed., from Schottenbauer Publishing:

Discussion Questions

1. Approximately what is the decibel level of the ambient sound in the room?
2. Approximately what is the decibel level of the trumpet?

Decibel readings are the theme of Where Does Sound Come From? Volume 2, Revised Ed., from Schottenbauer Publishing. Students can use these measurements to understand the nature of sound, by comparing and contrasting graphs from 27 musical instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, plus voice.

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What is Sound? The Problem of Averaging a Messy Graph

Graphs provide a unique perspective into the nature of music and sound. Graph-reading skills can be integrated into music classes, supplementing traditional science and math curricula. 

For example, consider the following two graphs, excerpted from Where Does Sound Come From? Volume 1 from Schottenbauer Publishing. These graphs shed light on a perplexing problem pertaining to averages.

Discussion Questions

1. Does the graph suggest (a) the presence of wind, (b) random differences in gas pressure in the room, or (c) error of the measurement device?
2. Is it accurate to state that the gas pressure is: (a) 99.8, (b) 99.825, (c) 99.85, (d) constantly changing?

Discussion Questions

1. What are the initial maximum and minimum sound pressures in the graph?
2. By the end of the graph, what are the maximum and minimum sound pressures?
3. Using a solid line, trace the maximum values of the sound pressures.
4. Using a solid line, trace the minimum values of the sound pressures.
5. Is it appropriate to average the minimum and maximum values on this graph, in order to show the true sound pressure reading? Why or why not?

Additional graphs of sound pressure, gas pressure, wind speed, and physical vibrations (force) are available in the lab manual Where Does Sound Come From? Volume 1 from Schottenbauer Publishing. Students can use these measurements to understand the nature of sound, by comparing and contrasting graphs from 27 musical instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, plus voice.

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Science of Music Performance: Motion, Force, and Breathing

The science of music performance is fascinating, for those who take the time and effort to obtain useful data. Fortunately, a large collection of scientific graphs and data on the science of music performance is now available in a series of books by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D., How Do You Play That Thingamabob? The Science of Music Performance. Graphs in the series focus on the forces and motions required to produce sound. As such, they complement another series of books on the science of music by the same author, Where Does Sound Come From? This latter series focuses on the science of music, that is, the physics of the sounds which are arising from the musical instruments.

The graphs below demonstrate a selection of data from each volume of How Do You Play That Thingamabob? The Science of Music Performance.

Discussion Questions

1. In Graph 1, what is the range of motion? Does one hand move further than the other, in any direction? 
2. In Graph 2, what is the differential of force required to depress the different keys? On a practical level, what does this difference require of the instrumentalist?
3. In Graph 3, what is the difference in the air flow rate during the crescendo and diminuendo? Describe the difference in terms of (a) the average difference, (b) the maximum difference, (c) the minimum difference, and (d) the difference in variation.

Additional graphs on the science of music and music performance can be found in a free pamphlet from the publisher, and the following book series by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. The books below contain data from common band and orchestral instruments, plus recorders, keyboard, voice, and conducting.  

• Where Does Sound Come From?

• How Do You Play That Thingamabob? The Science of Music Performance

• The Science of Music: An Anthology of 28 Graphs for Kids,Teens, & Curious Adult

• Bow Science & Exercises for the Violin & Viola

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The Science of the Harmonic Overtone Series

The harmonic overtone series is a basic concept in music education which explains how many musical instruments function. It is easiest to explain the harmonic overtone series with science and math. New teaching tools from Schottenbauer Publishing offer students a refreshing insight into the working of the harmonic overtone series. 

The graphs below are excerpted from Volume 1 of Where Does Sound Come From?, as well as a free pamphlet from the publisher. These graphs show graphs of sound pressure from two notes performed on a soprano recorder.

Discussion Questions

1. Describe at least 2 differences between these two graphs.
2. What types of information are contained in each graph?
3. If possible, identify the frequency, wavelength, and/or amplitude of the wave in each graph.
4. Is it possible to determine the pitch of the note from either graph? If so, how?
5. Is it possible to determine the sound level (decibels) of the note from either graph? If so, how?
6. Are these two graphs related in the harmonic overtone series? If so, how?
7. Write a mathematical equation to describe the wave pattern in the bottom graph.

In addition to these graphs, a free YouTube video from the same publisher provides a brief lecture, as well as samples of the harmonic overtone series on flute, trumpet, trombone, and violin. 

Students may learn more about the harmonic overtone series in a multimedia training program titled Ear Training: Harmonic Overtone Series. Additional information is available on the Music Theory & Ear Training blog.

Additional graphs on the science of music and music performance can be found in a free pamphlet from the publisher, and the following book series by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. The books below contain data from common band and orchestral instruments, plus recorders, keyboard, voice, and conducting. 

• Where Does Sound Come From?

• How Do You Play That Thingamabob? The Science of Music Performance

• The Science of Music: An Anthology of 28 Graphs for Kids,Teens, & Curious Adult

• Bow Science & Exercises for the Violin & Viola

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

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Perspectives on Data: Science of Music in the Lab

Easy access to data on the science of music is provided by several book series from Schottenbauer Publishing! Books contain graphs, data, and diagrams of the science of music and music performance.

The graphs below are excerpted from Volume 1 of Where Does Sound Come From?, as well as a free pamphlet from the publisher. These graphs show graphs of sound pressure which result from a person singing "ah."

Discussion Questions

1. Describe at least 2 differences between these two graphs.
2. What types of information are contained in each graph?
3. If possible, identify the frequency, wavelength, and/or amplitude of the wave in each graph.
4. Is it possible to determine the pitch of the note from either graph? If so, how?
5. Is it possible to determine the sound level (decibels) of the note from either graph? If so, how?
6. Which graph is more accurate?
7. Which graph is more useful?

Additional graphs on the science of music and music performance can be found in a free pamphlet from the publisher, and the following book series by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. The books below contain data from common band and orchestral instruments, plus recorders, keyboard, voice, and conducting. 

• Where Does Sound Come From?

• How Do You Play That Thingamabob? The Science of MusicPerformance

• The Science of Music: An Anthology of 28 Graphs for Kids,Teens, & Curious Adult

• Bow Science & Exercises for the Violin & Viola

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

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The Science of Music Performance

Science of music is easy and fun to teach and learn with several new book series from Schottenbauer Publishing! M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D.'s books of graphs provide a visual analysis of both sound and musical performance technique. Music instructors can use these graphs to add a dimension of understanding to traditional musical concepts. For instance, teachers can now use these books of graphs to show students the differences between smooth wave functions and the "wobbly" nature of uneven tone, the "edginess" of a bad note entrance, or the "droopiness" of a note going flat at the end. These books may be particularly useful in band, orchestra, or choral classes, where it is inconvenient or prohibitively expensive to use scientific equipment to illustrate concepts on individual student performance.

The book series by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D., currently contain data from common band and orchestral instruments, plus recorders, keyboard, voice, and conducting. The samples include both good and bad sound and technique, thus providing a comparison and contrast for educational purposes. 

• Where Does Sound Come From?
• Volume 1: 27 Instruments plus Voice
•  Gas Pressure Sensor
• Wind Speed Sensor
• Dual-Range Force Meter
• Sound Pressure Meter
• Volume 2, Revised Edition: Over 20 Instruments
• Continuous Sound Level Meter
• Diagrams of Tuning Systems
• Volume 3: Classical & Folk Guitars
• Gas Pressure Sensor
• Wind Speed Sensor
• Dual-Range Force Meter
• Sound Pressure Meter
• Volume 4: Violin, Recorder, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, with a Focus on Phrasing, Articulation, and Tone
• Sound Pressure Meter

• How Do You Play That Thingamabob? The Science of MusicPerformance
• Volume 1: Over 20 Instruments
• Dual-Range Force Meter
• Force Plate
• Motion Detector
• Gas Pressure Sensor
• Wind Speed Sensor
• Air Volume Bag
• Volume 2: Over 20 Instruments, plus Voice and Conducting
• Goniometer
• Spirometer
• Volume 3: Over 20 Instruments, plus Conducting
• Video Analysis

• The Science of Music: An Anthology of 28 Graphs for Kids,Teens, & Curious Adult

• Bow Science & Exercises for the Violin & Viola
• Basic Science
• Preliminary Exercises

In addition to the above books, M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. has been writing short textbook-style volumes about the science of each family of musical instruments. These short textbooks are written in big print with diagrams so as to be particularly suitable for children, as well as beginning students of any age. 

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With Kindle Unlimited ($9.99/month) at Amazon.com, you can read all e-books from Schottenbauer Publishing for no extra charge! Amazon offers Free 30-Day Trials of Kindle Unlimited. With this deal, trial members can read all Schottenbauer Publishing e-books free! This includes the Bow Science & Exercise Series, plus all the geometry workbooks, "The World in a Graph," "Alphabets of the World," all the e-book puzzles, and the educational novels by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D.