"Every so often, just the right combination of conditions
and events occur to create an unbelievable event-in this case an
F-18 passing through the sound barrier. Not only were the water vapor, density
and temperature just right, but there just happened to be a camera in
the vicinity to capture the moment. The F-18 is actually in transonic
flight, with normal shock waves emanating from behind the canopy and across
the wings and fuselage. The condition will last for only an instant, and
once supersonic flow exists completely around the aircraft, sharp-angled
sonic cones replace the normal shock waves. The odds of getting a shot
like this are staggering."
Fredrick I. Olness (office 103A FS, phone 768-2500)
Thomas W. Tunks (office 209 PAB, phone 768-3726)
MEETINGS:
LECTURE: Tuesday & Thursday, 2:00 - 3:20, Fondren Science Rm.123
LAB: Monday (1-3pm), (3-5pm) or (5-7pm), Fondren Science Rm.11
Go to Course Schedule: | Go to lab schedule | Go to lab description |
TEXT:
Hall, Musical Acoustics, Publisher: Brooks Cole; 3 edition (August 22, 2001). ISBN: 0534377289
WARNING: THIS IS A DIFFERENT BOOK THAN PREVIOUS SEMESTERS.
REFERENCES:
Selected books will be placed on reserve.
GRADES: Components are:
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PHYS 3320 |
daily quizzes (20%) Laboratory (30%) |
daily quizzes (20%) paper & presentation (20%) Laboratory (10%) |
daily quizzes (20%) Homework (40%) |
PAPER & PRESENTATION (MPSY 5340 Only): Each student will be responsible for writing a paper 10 to 15 pages in length. You may, if you choose, submit your project in the form of a web page(s). The topic should be either the acoustics (psychoacoustics) of your own instrument or another acoustics topic of your choice. Presentations of this type are usually enhanced by a demonstration.
COURSE CONTENT: We will cover both the acoustics (physical sound properties) and the psychoacoustics (psychological, perceptual properties) of music. Topics will include sound in general, sound of musical instruments (including voice), sound characteristics of rooms, electronic production (synthesis) and reproduction of sound.
DEMONSTRATIONS: Demonstrations will be done in class sessions throughout the semester. You are encouraged to make suggestions about interesting ways to demonstrate the phenomena we are studying. Each class discussion will FOLLOW the reading of appropriate material, meaning that you will be expected to have completed the reading PRIOR to the class session for which it is listed. The same for tape listening assignments.
ASSIGNMENTS: Various problem
sheets will be distributed for you to complete. Your completion of the
problems is optional, and will be for your own benefit. As such, the problem
sheets will not be graded. Other assignments, such as completing lab tasks
and doing outside investigations will be considered under "participation".
Black Hole Strikes Deepest Musical Note Ever Heard Astronomers have detected the deepest note ever generated in the cosmos, a B-flat flying through space like a ripple on an invisible pond. No human will actually hear the note, because it is 57 octaves below the keys in the middle of a piano.
MARCEL DUPRE: Organ Works, Vol. 13
* Performer(s): Dupre, Baker, Aeolian-Skinner, Schudi
* Label: Naxos - 8.554542
* Audio CD (October 21, 2003)
* ASIN: B0000BX5KC
Pierre PINCEMAILLE - Improvisations
Solstice Music: SOCD203