Tuning Fork Modes

The tuning fork has a very stable pitch and has been used as a pitch standard since the Baroque period.

The "clang" mode has a frequency which depends upon the details of construction, but is usuallly somewhat above 6 times the frequency of the fundamental. This is close to the first overtone of the clamped bar. The clang tone dies away rapidly.

Illustration with oscilloscope

Index

Percussion instruments

Musical instruments

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Tuning Fork and Oscilloscope

The tuning fork sound is picked up by the microphone and displayed on the screen of an oscilloscope. Once the fork has settled down to its fundamental mode, it produces a sine wave trace on the oscilloscope.

Index

Percussion instruments

Musical instruments

HyperPhysics***** Sound

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