Where Music Meets Science ::
This page was last updated: June 23, 2026
Three Instructional Videos
By
NCSSM Music Instructor: Scott Laird
and
The NCSSM Distance Education
Part 1: Where Pitch and Frequency Meet
Objectives:
Understand the term, "frequency"
Identify parts of a sound wave
Calculate octave relationships
Part 2: Timbre and Complex Waves
Objectives:
Identify sine waves and complex waves
Identify frequencies of different amplitudes in complex waves
Define fundamental and harmonics
Understand that frequencies in a complex wave work together to form the timbre of an instrument
Understand how harmonics represent a variety of frequencies at different amplitudes
Part 3: Frequency and Harmonics
Objectives:
Identify pitches associated with major tonality (1,8,5,&3)
Define a triad
Understand that frequencies of harmonics are multiples of the fundamental
Associate the first 6 harmonics with the notes in a triad
Compare the harmonics of a note and major tonality
