H4-18. Lissajous Figures With Sound

Purpose

To demonstrate the relation between "consonance" (musical intervals) and frequency ratios.

Equipment

Two oscillators with loudspeakers and oscilloscope with scope/TV cart.

Images

Description

Two identical oscillator/loudspeaker setups are sounded and simultaneously input into the two axes of an oscilloscope to produce a Lissajous figure. Two pitches which are related by simple rational whole numbers such as 3:2 or 5:4 are musical intervals and produce stationary figures. Beats between two close frequencies are also visibly evident by this technique. Try two close frequencies and two related by a small whole number interval for contrast. Let your students judge their consonance.

References

(PIRA unavailable.)