Xylophone Lab

Xylophone

Background Information:

Xylophones are a musical instrument that, when the bar is struck with a percussion mallet, will make an audible sound. Pitch on a xylophone is produced because of vibrations in the metal bars, resulting in a sound that can be heard from the instrument. Another way that pitch is shown is the gap in between the metal bars and the ground, the vibrations can produce sound.

Aim: To construct a xylophone that varies in pitch.

Hypothesis: A change in pitch of the xylophone will occur when one of the different metal bars is struck with a percussion mallet.

Variables:

Controlled Variables:

- The use of the same percussion mallet.

- The instrument is kept on a level surface when played.

Independent Variables:

- The

Cut two pieces of wooden planks to the correct measurements.

2. Measure and record the measurements of the metal bars and then mark them on the wood.

3. Re-Check the measurements of the wood and metal bars to ensure they are correct.

4. Give the wood a single layer coating of lacquer finish and set to dry overnight.

5. Mark the metal bars with a pencil and then drill pilot holes in the metal bars.

6. Turn the metal bars around and drill in the holes again to ensure that proper holes have been made in the metal.

7. Give the wood a further second coat of lacquer to ensure protection of the wood.

8. Drill flathead screws into metal and wood to join the two metal bars and wooden planks together using the measurements that were recorded.

(How to play instrument) Method B:

1. Pick up either the metal percussion mallet or wooden percussion mallet.

2. Strike one of the six metal bars on the xylophone using either of the percussion

Once the Xylophone is struck with the percussion mallet, a sound can be heard from the xylophone.

4. Strike the metal bar with the biggest bar and a lower pitch sound.

5. Strike the metal bar that is the smallest a higher pitch sound can be heard.

Steps to ensure Safety:

1. When using a hand saw, make sure that your fingers stay clear of the path of the saw. Failure to do so may result in an injury causing bleeding.

2. When using a hand drill, be sure to keep the metal still, failure to do so may result in the drill slipping and possible striking of hand, resulting in injury.

3. When using a hand drill, be sure to keep fingers away from the drill bit, drills can spin really fast and could result in a possible injury.