1. Flute:
- The flute is a woodwind instrument in which sound is produced by blowing air across a hole cut into the side of the tube.
- When the player blows air across the hole, called the embouchure hole, it creates an airstream that is directed against a sharp edge inside the flute.
- The airstream interacts with the edge, causing it to vibrate and generate sound. The shape of the flute and the length of the tube determine the pitch of the sound.
- By varying the blowing force and the position of the fingers over the tone holes, the player can control the pitch and tone of the music.
2. Organ Pipes:
- Organ pipes are cylindrical tubes that produce sound when air is forced through them.
- In an organ, there are two main types of pipes: flue pipes and reed pipes.
- Flue pipes produce sound using the same edge-tone principle as the flute. Air is blown through a slot near the base of the pipe, creating an airstream that strikes a metal lip. The vibration of the lip against the airstream produces sound.
- Reed pipes, on the other hand, use a vibrating metal tongue or reed instead of a lip. The reed is attached to a pipe, and when air flows past the reed, it causes the reed to vibrate, producing sound.
- The length and shape of the pipe determine the pitch of the sound, and the size and shape of the opening (the mouth) affect the tone.
3. Amplification and Resonance:
- In both flutes and organ pipes, the sound produced by the edge-tone or vibrating reed is amplified and resonated within the body of the instrument.
- The resonating air column inside the flute or pipe reinforces certain frequencies, creating a rich and resonant tone.
In summary, both the flute and organ pipes produce sound through the principle of edge-tone oscillation, where an airstream interacts with an edge or a reed, causing vibrations that generate sound. The shape, length, and design of the instruments determine the specific pitch, tone, and timbre of the sound produced.