Sonic Forms
Hear geometry through string lengths and musical ratios
Hear the relationship between length and pitch: shorter string segments sound higher. Compare the ratios found in lines, polygons and solids.
Key idea
For an ideal string under unchanged tension and mass per length, shortening its vibrating length raises its fundamental frequency. Half the length gives twice the frequency. Geometry becomes a way to compare musical ratios.
Try this first
Compare a whole string with a segment half its length. Listen to the pitch relationship, then explore another simple division. Carry the same idea into a polygon or solid and compare which geometric lengths the instrument makes playable.
How to get started
- Choose Monochord, Harmonic Lines or Shapes and set a root frequency.
- Move bridges, draw lines or choose a shape. Play its segments and compare their lengths with the pitches you hear.
- Try harmonic divisions or play selected lengths together. Use the red alarm button to release all sustained sound.
Explore a little further
Try another experiment
Compare a full string with half and two-thirds of its length. Listen to the resulting octave and fifth relative to the full string. Keep separate the fraction of the length and the inverse ratio of frequencies.
Good to know
The length-to-pitch relationship assumes a consistent string model. Geometric sonification is an exploratory mapping, not evidence that physical shapes emit those musical pitches by themselves.
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