The physics of playing guitar - Oscar Fernando Perez
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13,706 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
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Guitar masters like Jimi Hendrix are capable of bending the physics
of waves to their wills, plucking melody from inspiration and
vibration. But how do wood, metal, and plastic translate into rhythm,
melody, and music? Oscar Fernando Perez details the physics of playing the guitar, from first pluck to that final shredding chord.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Can you define musical temperament? If not, check out this site and find out more! Then read this article about “true temperament” frets and find out how playing an instrument with them would feel. How does true temperament differ from normal temperament?
For more about how a guitar works, visit this site. Want to take a whole course on guitar physics? Try Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s MITOPENCOURSEWARE Physics of the Guitar course and get started.
Love music? Really want to get to the science of it and gain a greater understanding of the physics behind it? Start with sound and visit the Physics Classroom site and move upward from there. It is also important for you to understand why scales have specific intervals. Visit this noteworthy site that discusses the Mathematics of musical scales. Love this connection between music and math? These TED-Ed lessons will provide more for you to ponder: Music and math: The genius of Beethoven and A-rhythm-etic. The math behind the beats.
These TED Ed lessons may also inspire the musician inside of you:
How playing an instrument benefits the brain: Anita Collins
Why we love repetition in music: Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis
Finally, visit this list of TED Talks on Music, you’ll be sure to find one that interests you.
For more about how a guitar works, visit this site. Want to take a whole course on guitar physics? Try Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s MITOPENCOURSEWARE Physics of the Guitar course and get started.
Love music? Really want to get to the science of it and gain a greater understanding of the physics behind it? Start with sound and visit the Physics Classroom site and move upward from there. It is also important for you to understand why scales have specific intervals. Visit this noteworthy site that discusses the Mathematics of musical scales. Love this connection between music and math? These TED-Ed lessons will provide more for you to ponder: Music and math: The genius of Beethoven and A-rhythm-etic. The math behind the beats.
These TED Ed lessons may also inspire the musician inside of you:
How playing an instrument benefits the brain: Anita Collins
Why we love repetition in music: Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis
Finally, visit this list of TED Talks on Music, you’ll be sure to find one that interests you.
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Meet The Creators
- Educator Oscar Fernando Perez
- Animator Chris Boyle
- Producer Helen Powers
- Composer Matt Santo
- Sound Designer Cem Misirlioglu
- Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
- Narrator Addison Anderson
