Grade 4 Studies Sound with Boston Conservatory Professor, Composer
In a project collaboration between Lower School music teacher Alex Asacker and iLab Manager Cam McNall, fourth graders studied sound theory during a workshop led by Boston Conservatory associate professor, composer, installation artist, and instrument maker John Murphree.
In music class, the fourth grade students had been studying the science of sound and exploring cymatics, the study of sound made visual. Leading up to Murphree's presentation, they explored sound waves and vibration using tuning forks and cups of water. They also built their own tonoscopes in the iLab, and experimented by singing different pitches into the device to create patterns with salt.
Murphree's workshop helped further the fourth graders' discussion of pitch and frequency. Experimenting with his custom-made chimes and bell plates, the students gained a new understanding of key concepts in sound. Murphree also had students observe the unique wave patterns produced by his custom Chladni plate, a flat metal surface sprinkled with salt and set to vibrate to precisely tuned pitches generated by a powerful speaker. The German scientist Ernst Chladni was one of the pioneers of experimental acoustics. His research on different kinds of vibrations served as the basis for the scientific understanding of sound that emerged in the 19th century. His invention, now known as the Chladni plate, produces characteristic patterns that help visualize the effects of vibrations on mechanical surfaces. Patterns form on the plate as sand or salt on the moving areas bounces off and accumulates in areas that are static—called nodes.
According to Alex Asacker, "The demonstration with the Chladni plate was definitely the showstopper of the day. Students could clearly see the patterns on the plate increase in complexity as the pitch got higher."
In music class, the fourth grade students had been studying the science of sound and exploring cymatics, the study of sound made visual. Leading up to Murphree's presentation, they explored sound waves and vibration using tuning forks and cups of water. They also built their own tonoscopes in the iLab, and experimented by singing different pitches into the device to create patterns with salt.
Murphree's workshop helped further the fourth graders' discussion of pitch and frequency. Experimenting with his custom-made chimes and bell plates, the students gained a new understanding of key concepts in sound. Murphree also had students observe the unique wave patterns produced by his custom Chladni plate, a flat metal surface sprinkled with salt and set to vibrate to precisely tuned pitches generated by a powerful speaker. The German scientist Ernst Chladni was one of the pioneers of experimental acoustics. His research on different kinds of vibrations served as the basis for the scientific understanding of sound that emerged in the 19th century. His invention, now known as the Chladni plate, produces characteristic patterns that help visualize the effects of vibrations on mechanical surfaces. Patterns form on the plate as sand or salt on the moving areas bounces off and accumulates in areas that are static—called nodes.
According to Alex Asacker, "The demonstration with the Chladni plate was definitely the showstopper of the day. Students could clearly see the patterns on the plate increase in complexity as the pitch got higher."
An associate professor of core studies teaching music theory, Murphree has had his concert works performed in the United States and Europe. His installations have been staged at the Mobius Gallery, the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, and Boston Conservatory. In 2016, Murphree founded Boston Gongs, a manufacturing business devoted to the production of high-quality bell plates, gongs, chimes, and lujons. Murphree also led a team that built a xylophone made of ice and aluminum for Boston's annual Chisels and Chainsaws ice sculpture competition.
Chladni Plate Demonstration
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Murphree brought several of his own Boston Gongs for the workshop.
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Alex Asacker and Murphree led the workshop
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Students wore earplugs to muffle loud sounds
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Boston Gongs were a real "hit"
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Murphree used a Chladni plate to demonstrate sound waves.
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The Chladni plate vibrated salt granules
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