ISP Pres

BEFORE                                AFTER

 

Acoustic Levitation?!

While looking for quality content for my final post on this blog, I resolved to find something amazing and mind-blowing. Here it is:

LEVITATING OBJECTS WITH SOUND =0

The sight of water droplets and Styrofoam balls floating in the air restores my faith in humanity. That is, until I watch a Republican presidential debate. But then I watch this video again and I'm good.

This intriguing demonstration is made possible by sound's characteristics as a pressure wave. As the two speakers emit sound from the top and bottom, they create high pressure and low pressure zones where small objects, such as water droplets, can float. 

This technology is very exciting as the precursor of the inevitable levitating technology of the future. I can't wait to drive a floating car.

Source: Destinws2. "Acoustic Levitation in ULTRA SLOW MOTION - Smarter Every Day 134." YouTube. YouTube, 29 Apr. 2015. Web. 01 May 2016.

In-class Activity

For a presentation on sound, I definitely want:

• an activity involving the ears
• non-intuitive and new information
• food

I have inspiration for my ear activity from the radio station Spirit 105.9. They have a "Secret Sound" guessing game for a monetary prize. The sounds are quite difficult, such as "scratching a beard" or "curling a ribbon". For my activity I plan to do something similar, preparing a couple choice sounds and offering sublime delectable tidbits as rewards. Of course, everyone else will also receive nourishment of some kind.

For new information, I might demonstrate some auditory illusions then explain how they work. Or something like that. I might possibly change my mind on this.

Finally, food. I'd like to provide food acceptable to all, vegans and peanut-phobes alike. I think people would also appreciate it if the food tasted good. Many food fit this criteria, and are also easily accessible, so I will choose one or a couple of foods from this category between now and May 6th.

Can't even clarinet

The most obvious manifestation of organized sound in my life is band. I play the clarinet, and this weekend I had the opportunity to participate in a Westwood Band solo competition. For my entry, I prepared Solo de Concours by Andre Messager. I received a 2 on my performance, which I felt was quite good considering my lack of practice. Here is the recording of my performance, accompanied by my friend Jonathan Qi. Please excuse the aforementioned lack of practice.

https://soundcloud.com/user831620329/messegersolodeconcours

Pianoforte pizzazz

Choosing this manifestation of sound as a blog post was probably a bad decision.

I started playing piano in kindergarten and quit around middle school. I didn't quit because it was hard but because I didn't like practicing. As you can tell, I felt quite confident in my ability. Felt.

Playing this piano duet with my sister has helped me realize how much she has grown beyond the little baby I still sometimes imagine her as. I need to accept the fact that she will probably exceed my ability in many areas. 

Anyways, you didn't come for poignant pondering. Enjoy "Frontier Frolic" by Melody Bober.

Honking Honda Horns

Everyone has heard an ambulance or police car drive by with an increasing then decreasing pitch. This phenomenon is due to the Doppler effect. In my video, my friends and I demonstrate it:

Super Straws

Music is probably the best form of sound. Instruments are probably the best way to play music. And instruments are best when you make them yourself.

A classic sound demonstration involves a straw and scissors

Then slight butchering

The two slits at the top allow vibrations, which create sound including this horrendous handiwork

Hot Cross Buns

Enjoy.