Sounds Like Science - Bottle Organ

Sounds Like Science: Bottle Organ

Main Idea

By manipulating sound we can arrange a series of notes referred to as a musical scale.

Background

The sounds we hear coming from our instruments are referred to as notes, as in musical “notation.” Each note represents a specific sound. In some ways, notes are like the ABCs of music. Just as we put letters of the alphabet together to form words, we put musical notes together to form a song. A series of notes that increases in pitch at regular intervals is referred to as a musical scale. By understanding how musical instruments work, we can tailor pitch in order to produce the sounds that we want.

Learning Objectives

Understand the relationship between pitches and notes.
Experiment with variables that affect pitch.

Time

1 to 1 & 1/2 hours

Introducing the Concept

Discuss the various sounds the students have produced in the other Sounds Like Science activities. Talk about the different sounds that are made by a variety of instruments, as well as the different sounds individual instruments make. Reintroduce the concept of pitch and talk about its relationship to notes, and how sequential notes form musical scales.

Materials

different-sized bottles with small mouths
water and other types of liquid
sugar, sand, pebbles, or coins

Hands-On

Line up a number of bottles along the edge of a table.
Place your top lip on the edge of the bottle and blow so that the air skims the top of the bottle. You may need to adjust your lips and tongue—your embouchure—in order to produce sound.
Compare the sounds of the different-sized bottles. See if you can detect the different pitches and arrange your bottles from the lowest to highest pitch.
Add some liquid to the bottles to see if the pitch of your notes changes. Add some of the other things such as sand, coins, or pebbles to the bottle, as well, to see how the sound is affected.

Minds-On

What happened when you blew on the empty bottle? Did it produce a sound?
Identify the force that caused the sound. Identify what was vibrating.
Can you produce different sounds by moving your mouth as you blow?
What happened to the sound when you added water to the bottles? Did the pitch or volume change?
Were you able to tune your instrument by experimenting with different levels of water?

Teaching Tips

Fine-tuning instruments takes a great deal of patience. Don’t be surprised if the students become frustrated. Try to see as much humor as possible during the activity!
Xylophones are wonderful instruments for demonstrating musical scales. If possible, try to have a few available for the students to help them tune their instruments. Local daycares and community centers may have a few that you could borrow.

Science All Around Us

Sometimes music appears in places where least expected. An otologist uses musical notes (a variety of pitches) to test hearing. Discuss with your students how such a doctor might go about testing their hearing. Talk about some of the instruments that might be used for a hearing test.