The+Fruits+of+our+Labour

__ Where do you like to sing? Write Up __ __ By: Clinton D’Silva, Eva Klimova, Courtney Chow, Wade Walker, Samantha McDermott & Christopher Chung __

 For our exhibit, we decided to explore the difference between noise and music and how each person’s interpretation of this difference varies. This concept is introduced through engaging the visitors in mixing noises and music in environments where they are most comfortable. Our exhibit first poses a question of where they enjoy singing and then leads them to one of two environments where they are further questioned by a touch screen to explore the music and noises common to those environments. Through this, our hope is that they will be able to see that there is actually a very small difference between music and noise and they will be able to expand their own view of what music is.  The differentiation of music from noise is very subjective; however there is an accepted scientific explanation. Music differs from noise primarily because of the organization of frequencies. Music tends to be more organized and follows a regular wave pattern whereas noise is sudden, random and unpleasant. Music can also become noise in the case that the music reaches a volume that is painful for the human ear. Sound that is interpreted negatively by the brain is considered noise by the person. Although this scientific explanation can create a common explanation for the distinction between noise and music, the line of distinction depends heavily on the opinions of the individual. However, in our exhibit the noises that will be used are generally accepted as noises and each individual will have a choice of the music they use based upon their own preference. In our exhibit we focus on the organization of the sound. Through the use of music mixing technology and a touch screen visitors will manipulate the noise to try to make music from noise and vice-versa.  The environments were picked due to their interesting effects on sound and also their ability to engage visitors since they are common places of comfort. Visitors will have a choice of entering a shower or a car after they are initially asked the question of where they prefer to sing. According to the polls, the most common answers as to where people sing are the shower or their car. Statistically, it was also shown that car drivers prefer listening to the radio versus their own musical play lists and so there will be the option of choosing music from popular radio stations in the car.  Between the two environments that were chosen, the most popular is the shower cubicle. This is possibly due to the fact that showers are extremely common in households. Inside a shower cubicle, as in any other enclosed space, there are interesting effects that are applied to any sound waves traveling within the space. Sound waves are reverberated which is the stretching of sound waves since the echoes reach the human ear at different times. This creates a fuller, richer sound that also makes the unpleasant frequencies less audible amongst the echoes. There is also a boost in volume as the ceramic tiles do not absorb a large portion of the sound waves. In addition, the average resonance of a shower stall is 100Hz which means certain bass notes will resonate and create a richer sound. The shower stall is a very versatile environment and the effects caused by its design are reasons why singing sounds more pleasant in the shower. This will be explained to the visitor in the hope that it will encourage people to sing.  The second environment chosen was the interior of a car. Cars, like showers, are also extremely common in North America. Statistics show that there is an average of 1.5 cars per household. The effects created by the interior of a car are closely related to those created by the shower interior though there are some major differences. The cushions and seats of a car absorb sound instead of fully reflect it. However, the windows, windshield and other portions of the car create a similar closed space where reverberation and the amplification of pleasant frequencies occur. Similar to the shower, this will be explained to the visitor. There is also a psychological difference in the car environment because it gives way for collaboration and the sharing of ideas. In a car, the two front passengers will have access to the touch screen directly and three others can observe and give feedback from the backseat. This differs from the shower environment because in that situation, only one person can use the booth at a time so it's more individualistic and the exploration is all singular. The car offers a slightly different experience in terms of the science and allows for a greater degree of collaboration than the shower. Our exhibit incorporates and displays concepts from both physics and psychology. By initially posing a question to the visitor, it piques their interest and hints at a challenge in the near future. Both environments are comfortable, every day encounters and so it is easier to present a new idea and for them to explore through touch screen. Each environment also has physics concepts unique to itself such as a bass boost and strong reverberations for the shower. These factors all complement each other to create two different experiences with the same focus.  __Bibliography__ Cox, T. (2010, July 14). What makes the sound of vuvuzelas so annoying? - health - 14 June 2010 - New Scientist. //Science news and science jobs from New Scientist - New Scientist//. Retrieved November 7, 2010, from http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19041-what-makes-the-sound-of-vuvuzelas-so-annoying.html Kambury, D. (n.d.). Studio Tech Tip - Taming The Wild Bedroom | Musician's Friend. //Musician's Friend | Your Online Music Instrument & Pro Audio Store | Best Prices, Great Service//. Retrieved November 7, 2010, from http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?doc_id=89423&src=3SOSWXXA Miller, J. (2001, February 10). What is the scientific difference between music and noise?. //MadSciNet: The 24-hour exploding laboratory.// Retrieved November 3, 2010, from http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2001-02/981907051.Ph.r.html Science of Music: Why does my singing sound so great in the shower? Exploratorium's Accidental Scientist. (n.d.). //Exploratorium: the museum of science, art and human perception//. Retrieved November 9, 2010, from http://www.exploratorium.edu/music/questions/shower.html What is noise?. (n.d.). //Environmental Noise//. Retrieved October 12, 2010, from www.epd.gov.hk/epd/noise_education/young/eng_young_html/m1/m1.html

=__**Touch Screen Demo: **__= media type="youtube" key="dvr0cnV-QYQ?fs=1" height="385" width="480"