Application of Sound Waves

For musical instruments, the source is set into vibration by striking, plucking, bowing or blowing.

Musical instruments are classified into:

(i) wind instruments
(ii) string instruments
(iii) percussion instruments

(i) Wind Instruments:

These produce sound through a vibrating column of air. Examples are flutes, trumpets, clarinets and saxophones.

For any of these instruments, the player blows through the opening causing a column of air to vibrate. By manipulating the keys of the instrument, the player alters the length of the vibrating column thereby producing sounds of a different tone, frequency, or pitch.