This multimedia resource, part of the NC Science Now series, describes how an Asheville musician / inventor / entrepeneur has devloped a device that transforms how the acoustic guitar physically makes sounds. Called an acoustic synthesizer, it alters how the strings vibrate, adding nearly 100 new sounds to the instrument. Components of this resource include a video and a related blog article. Links to these components are provided on the page under the heading "UNC-TV Media."

This is a PBL project that had students use musical instruments to demonstrate their mastery of waves and vibration. It was specifically designed to help students increase their depth of knowledge of vibration, wave fundamentals, wave interference, light and sound waves, and wave boundary effects. The project required students to use actual instruments to authentically present and justify their level of mastery to local musicians and other experts. Note that the project was designed and delivered per the North Carolina honors Physics curriculum and it can be customized to meet your own specific curriculum needs and resources.

To further their understanding of sound energy, students identify the different pitches and frequencies created by a vibrating ruler and a straw kazoo. They create high- and low-pitch sound waves.

Music and sound are two different concepts that share much in common. Determining the difference between the two can sometimes be difficult due to the subjective nature of deciding what is or is not music. The goal of this activity is to take something constructed by students, that would be normally classified as just sound and have the class work together to make what can be perceived to be music. Students construct basic stringed instruments made of shoeboxes and rubber bands. This activity aims to increase student understanding of what distinguishes music from sound.