When playing a musical instrument, shortening the length of the air tube raises the pitch, while expanding the length of the tube lowers the pitch. Straws can be cut to different lengths to produce different heights. They can form a type of “oboe” (a wind instrument, similar to a clarinet) that will vibrate and create a sound when blown into it. A straw that is half as long as another straw will be exactly one octave taller than the longest straw. We recommend using paper straws, because plastic straws are more difficult to focus on a note. Sound is a wave, which can change in pitch based on the change in air pressure. It is produced by the vibrations of objects. Waves can be measured by speed (v), frequency (f), wavelength (λ), and period. The frequency of a wave describes how many cycles of a wave occur per unit time. A high-frequency sound has more wavelengths in a given period of time than a low-frequency sound. High frequencies have smaller wavelengths and low frequencies have larger wavelengths. The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch is perceived. Wavelength, frequency and speed are all related by the equation: v = fλ. They can also be used in the equation: f = v/λ. Wavelength is the difference between peaks and valleys in a sound wave. It is the difference measured between the highest parts or the lowest parts. When you combine tones an octave apart, sound waves interfere. A trough will cancel out a peak of the same magnitude. There are two words that are used to define a good tone combination and a bad tone combination. “Consonant” is used to describe a pleasant-sounding interference pattern (combination of tones), while “dissonant” is used to…… middle of paper…… heir straw oboes together to form a type of pan flute. Straw oboes can teach us about wavelengths and the formation of sound through vibrations. We can also know the mathematical equations that can allow us to cut the straws in order to create the do-re-mi scale. Tuning straw oboes to the correct notes can help us develop an ear for matching musical tones. It will also teach the correct embouchure (mouth position) for playing a reed instrument. Works Cited (Olson, Andrew. Do-Re-Mi with Straws. Np: Science Buddies, 2013. Page No. Science Buddies. Web . March 13, 2014.)(Arons, Eric. Making A Straw Woodwind. Np: Reach Out Michigan, n. page Np. Web. March 16, 2014.)(Hodges, Richard. The Musical Scale and Its Intervals Np: Rhodges, 2009. Page N.. 2014.)