Frequencies

Frequencies
A sound wave is created as a result of a vibrating object. The object that is vibrating, is the source of the disturbance that moves throughout the medium. The object creating the disturbance could be the vocal cords of a person, the vibrating strings and soundboard on a string instrument, or the vibrating diaphragm of a radio speaker. If an object has the ability to vibrate, then it will produce sound. Almost every object when hit, struck, plucked, strummed, or somehow disturbed, will vibrate. The frequency or frequencies at which an object tends to vibrate when hit, struck, plucked, strummed, or somehow disturbed is known as the natural frequency of the object. If the amplitudes of the vibrations are large enough and if the natural frequency is within the human frequency range, then the vibrating object with produce sound waves that are audible. Every object has a natural frequency or set of natural frequencies at which they vibrate. The quality of the sound being produced by the vibrating object is dependent upon the natural frequencies of the sound waves produced by the object. The actual frequency at which an object will vibrate at is determined by a variety of factors. Each of these factors will either affect the wavelength or the speed of the object. Since frequency = speed / wavelength, a chance in either speed or wavelength will result in an alternation of the natural frequency. The role of a musician is to control these variables in order to produce a given frequency from the instrument that is being played. Consider a guitar as an example. The guitar has six strings, each having a density, a different tension, and a different length. The speed at which waves move