"Unprofitable Instruments" Monochord demonstration, 2021
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- Kate McWilliams of "Unprofitable Instruments" demonstrates how to use a monochord to explore musical ratios.
A monochord is a one-stringed instrument that was used throughout the middle ages as a tool to explore the relationship between mathematics and sound. For instance, if a string is divided in half, it produces a tone one octave higher than the open string. Other ratios such as 3:2 (fifth), 4:3 (fourth), and 9:8 (whole tone) can be found on the monochord, at once clearly visible and audible. A section on how to ‘divide’ the monochord was a standard inclusion in medieval theoretical writings on music. In many instances, theorists described tuning systems to meet the priorities of the music of their time.
The monochord was also used as a practical tool for learning new music by plucking out the notes (as we might do today on a piano).
Instructions for dividing a monochord typically start by dividing the string into ninths or fourths, then marking certain of those points with note names. Then the distance between one of the new notes and the end of the string is divided and marked, producing more notes. The divisions are made by finding harmonics or by using a divider (a long-armed compass without the pencil). When the scale is laid out on the monochord, you set the moveable bridge to the note that you would like, and pluck the string.
For more information on monochords, as well as how to order one, see
www.unprofitabl...
See "The Monochord in the Medieval and Modern Classrooms" by Kate Buehler-McWilliams and Russell E. Murray, Journal of Music History Pedagogy, Vol 3, No 2.
www.ams-net.org...
I've always found the correlation between math and music fascinating. I wish I had seen a demonstration like this decades ago. I would've understood music theory much more easily. This vid should be required viewing for any beginner music student. Thank you.
Thank you!
Music is art nothing should be required it's about freedom man you've lost your way go back to the valley sponger
This video made a a little lightbulb go off in my brain, and I just wanted to say thanks.
That's what I love about monochords! Glad you enjoyed it.
I had read about the monochord but this is the first time I've seen one and saw it demonstrated, ttx
Thank you very much for this. The fumbling is actually instructive, since it shows the result of incorrect ratios! Another thing you have demonstrated is the incredible utility of the English yard of 36", which is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, and 18. It's easy to work with 8, too, since the division yields 4½-or double the yard to 72", and division by 8 yields 9 . Only 5, 6, and 7 are unuseable. There's a reason no one conceptualized the metric system until ordinary people stopped doing anything for themselves.
Thanks, Mikael. Those are great observations.
You could have a "metric" system based on 12.
That's not what the imperial metric system is (is also a metric system, just not a very good one).
Everything is octaves and intervals. That is the harmony of our universe. Nice video!
Very interesting. I’m going to make one. Your explanation on how to find the interval spacing was great and easy to understand. Thanks
This is very educational. I am excited to build one of these. Thank you.
Thank you for the lesson
amazing videos
Thank you
Nice. thanks for the informative video. I started building electric guitars a couple of years ago. but I am fascinated by early instruments. One of my goals is to make a cornetto. To that end I purchased three well-aged cornetto blanks from Matt Jennejohn of McGill University. But my skills have a long way to go, so I'll be practicing on cheaper wood.
Cornettos! Wow, that's ambitious. Good luck!
An interval is the point of division or separation?
An interval is the distance in pitch between two sounds. An interval of an octave is the sound of two Gs, for instance, and an interval of a fifth is from G up to D.
Where did you buy that compass?
If you search for "spring dividers" on amazon or hardware store sites you can find them.
"...a theoretical tool..." Interesting. I had read that a "Mono-cord" was a practice tool for singers to get better pitch.
IMHO
Yes, it works for that, too.
Thank you for your attempt to explain the principle of the divisions on a monochord. Incidentally you give the proof that the length of a part has never done empirically the way you show. You have too use a more efficient and direct way .Furthermore the order of the divisions is not correct it should be based our faculty to hear pure unisson octave fifth and forth (not the major tonus)
Thanks for the feedback. It actually doesn't take too long to find, with experience and care. Have you ever researched the history of length measurements? It would be interesting to know how far back measured straight edges go. Regarding the order of the divisions, I find it curious that many medieval theorists vary the order in their instructions. Even though their divisions result in the same tuning, the order in which they find each note changes. Sometimes the goal seems to be brevity, sometimes consistency. I think I discussed this in my monochord article, cited in the video credits.
I m not sure to understand your question about the “straight edge”
@@francoisdenis9905 How old is the concept of a yardstick, with fixed lengths marked out along a straight edge? How did medievalists measure length?
thats not the monochord im familiar with
Thank you, this is really informative.