Materials Science in Context Using Design Parameters for Musical Instruments

Abstract Students enrolled in any introductory course in materials science are for the first time confronted with integrating knowledge of mathematics, chemistry and problems. However, fundamental materials science concepts can easily be placed in context, thereby creating an enhanced learning environment. This paper describes one such contextual arena – stringed musical instruments. Any curious individual can be engaged by the seemingly simple question of why does a guitar or a violin produce the sounds that they do? Soundboards are chosen for their specific anisotropic properties and their resonating chambers for their abilities to resonate all the frequencies produced by a music string. Music strings produce sounds because of their elastics constants, densities and composite structures. Violin strings, because they must follow bowing action, are composite structures that must damp signals, while guitar strings resonate as long as possible. This paper provides a detailed description of the specific design issues involving the materials science of stringed instruments. Specific materials science properties are given so that other instructors can use them in their courses. Demonstrations, such as fundamental and resonating frequencies for different string compositions, are also described. In addition, the paper contains a comprehensive literature search of the materials science aspect of design musical instruments. Index Terms music strings, properties of materials for musical instruments, teaching materials science in context, violin and guitar material