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Physics of The Overtone Pipe

The document discusses overtone pipes, which can produce multiple notes from a single hole by utilizing the harmonics or overtones of an open pipe. An overtone flute found on holiday is used as an example, which can produce around 5 overtones by blowing with different pressures, and additional notes by closing the end of the pipe. Software tools like Oscillometer and Vernier Fourier analysis can visualize the different frequency harmonics present. Instructions are provided on how to make a simple overtone flute out of PVC pipe and a wooden dowel for classroom use, which works on the same open pipe harmonic principles.

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Kanishka Seneviratne
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208 views2 pages

Physics of The Overtone Pipe

The document discusses overtone pipes, which can produce multiple notes from a single hole by utilizing the harmonics or overtones of an open pipe. An overtone flute found on holiday is used as an example, which can produce around 5 overtones by blowing with different pressures, and additional notes by closing the end of the pipe. Software tools like Oscillometer and Vernier Fourier analysis can visualize the different frequency harmonics present. Instructions are provided on how to make a simple overtone flute out of PVC pipe and a wooden dowel for classroom use, which works on the same open pipe harmonic principles.

Uploaded by

Kanishka Seneviratne
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHYSICAL

SCIENCES

MAGAZINE

Physics of Open and Closed Pipes The Overtone Pipe - What is an overtone pipe?
Brian Masterson, De La Salle College, Churchtown, Dublin 14
While on holidays last summer I picked up a few items which have proved to be useful additions to the classroom in teaching sound. One of these was an overtone flute which amazed me as it could produce a number of notes even though it has only one hole i.e. its a whistle. After a little research on the net I discovered that it was probably a koncovka, a Slovakian shepherds flute. The interesting point is that it doesnt employ a normal musical scale but instead uses the harmonics or overtones as notes (natural harmonic scale). The fundamental note is low, about 290 hertz, close to D, the next one above is 581 etc. It is really a pipe open at both ends as all the harmonics are present. You can, however, get each individual harmonic to be dominant by blowing into the whistle at different pressures i.e. blow progressively harder and you can hear about 5 overtones and then close the end of the pipe with your hand to get four or five new frequencies. This is consistent with a pipe in open and closed mode. I thought about how we might use it in the physics class. I looked at the overtones present by playing the whistle into a microphone using the Frequency Analyser in Virtual Physics Lab from IOP and could see clearly the different harmonics present. You can also use the Vernier Software Fourier analysis package by going into a preloaded experiment folder and going to physics-/mathematics of music. Also, there is a free download from the web called Oscillometer which works just as well and all you need is a microphone. Any of these physics IT packages will show clearly the frequencies of the fundamental and its multiples by clicking on the peaks and reading off the frequencies. You can also show the harmonics present on a guitar string, piano or any other instrument in similar fashion. It does work extremely well, however, using the overtone flute as you can move through the overtones enabling each individual note to be dominant in turn. I feel it is very useful as it brings to life a topic otherwise confined to textbooks and may also appeal to a students interest in music as you can expand the idea of quality or timbre for different instruments. You can also calculate the speed of sound by multiplying the frequencies (read off the graph) by wavelength for each overtone using the following formulae for open pipes. Open pipe fundamental (1st harmonic) 1st overtone (2nd harmonic) 2nd overtone (3rd harmonic)
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L is the length of pipe, you can use an end correction for both ends and measure Length from dowel to pipe end. See photo and sample results. Results are a bit low but consistent! Maybe end correction needs adjustment. Length .54 fundamental .54 1st overtone .54 2nd overtone Wavelength 1.08 .54 .356 Frequency 290 581 874 Velocity 313.2 313.74 311.4

581 hertz

874 hertz 290 hertz

Oscillometer analysis of waveform showing many overtones.

Where can you get one?


Well, you can make your own using instructions which are on the web. Google youtube; How to make an overtone flute (koncovka) in 3 minutes!!

= 2L =L

v = fx

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PHYSICAL

SCIENCES

MAGAZINE

How to make an overtone flute


Material cost about 1 per flute, 20 mm diameter pipe (electrical conduit from an electrical supplier) 18 mm wooden dowel Cut approximately 50 to 60 cm of pipe Cut 3 cm of dowel and sand dowel to get smooth and angled ends Cut 3 cm off pipe and split lengthways. Drill 8 mm hole at about 35 mm from end of long pipe and cut section back to end. Insert wooden dowel (this is known as a fipple) into pipe end with cut away section and cover with other split piece. Adjust position of cover piece and fipple until the whistle sounds ok.

What next?
You can calculate the fundamental frequency or note you require by using the formula as above and/or by cutting the pipe by trial and error. The shorter the pipe, the higher the frequency will be. You could also use it as a Transition Year project and drill extra holes to turn it into a normal flute.

Vernier Fourier Analysis Results for same pipe showing many harmonics. Blow harder and the peak frequency moves up to the higher harmonic positions.

If you are interested in this topic checkout the following sites;


http://www.fujara.sk/about/about_koncovka.htm see youtube PVC overtone flute in 3 minutes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXnAXsMyCFU

Also PVC overtone flute improving the tone. Thanks to Paul Marshall from up north. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI3mzfbvEYw&feature=related Get oscillometer from; http://shmelyoff.nm.ru/ or google oscillometer free download Physics of the didgeridoo discusses pipes formula and is worth a look http://www.didjshop.com/physicsDidj.html

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