sound waves
theory
experiment
invitation
afterthoughts
beatings
theory
experiment
invitation
afterthoughts
resonance
theory
experiment
invitation
afterthoughts
flutes
The sound waves of a flute are standing waves that arise inside their tube (inner space). The tube is blown through a mouthpiece that concentrates the air into a thin edge creating waves inside the tube with different wavelengths. Only the wavelengths that fit in the length of the tube can continue existing.
In ‘Het Klankenbos’, in Belgium, you can find the sound installation ‘Oorsprong’ made by Hans van Koolwijk. An enormous metal tube that you can enter inside, the tube is a flute. What I find interesting about this artwork is that by entering the flute you place the ear inside the inner space (the inner space is then becoming an outer space). While the flute is sounding you can walk inside, walking through the standing sound waves, hearing points that are louder and points that are softer.
sine wave as a standing wave in space
I have been experimenting with sine waves in space, which are always standing waves.
With low tones, I moved through the space hearing points where the sound is louder (antinode) and points in space where it’s softer (node). It feels like literally perceiving the wavelength of the sound in the medium (air). Walking through sound.
With high tones this also happens, only the wavelength is smaller, to perceive the nodes (soft) and antinodes (loud) you only need to move your ears a bit, by moving your head.
Gemma Luz Bosch 