1. Music To My Ears Connecticut Invention Convention

2. What is the difference between sound and noise?
Sound can be music, speaking, singing, or sounds of nature.
Noise is a sound that is loud and/or annoying.

3. Sounds How do we hear sound?
What are some common sounds you hear every day?
How do we depend on sounds?

4. Let’s watch some examples of objects that make sounds
String Instruments:
Woodwind Instruments:
Brass Instruments:
Percussion:

5. Put your hand on your throat and talk normally.
Now sing a note.
Hum with your hand on your throat.
What does it feel like?
How does your throat change with each sound?
What causes sound?

6. Let’s Experiment!
Use the straws, rubber bands, rulers, etc, to experiment with the different sounds these materials make.
How can you change the way these materials vibrate?
“Buzz” your lips together. This is how people play the trumpet!

7. What is your favorite instrument?
Tell a partner what the instrument is.
How does it work?

8. Let’s Experiment!
Change the length of materials and see what happens to the sound they make.
Use a guitar and make the length of string ‘shorter’ by pressing firmly down on the string. See what happens that to the sound the guitar makes.
What do the thicker strings sound like compared to the thinner strings?

9. Experimenting continued!
How does the length of a brass instrument change the type of sound it makes?
How does the length of a straw affect the sound you can make with it?
Using water in glasses, GENTLY tap the sides of a glass with a metal object to experiment with how the sound changes based on how much water is in the glass.

10. Experimenting continued!
Use bowls, empty boxes or other materials to experiment with how sound changes when it bounces off of objects.
How can you make softer sounds and louder sounds using the direction of sound?

11. Your Turn!
Use the materials provided to invent a new musical instrument.
Test different sounds on your instrument.
You should be able to play your instrument for the class.