TheSeaOrgan.docVIP

Ann Kapusta June 1, 2007 Math 5 Professor Barnett The Sea Organ: A Musical Connection between Land and Sea Introduction Found in the Zadar harbor on the island of Croatia, the Sea Organ is a unique instrument that produces an incredible array of sounds. While using the basic mechanics of ancient instruments, the Sea Organ is rare in its construction and its melodic sounds. Through this paper the history of instruments that have influenced the creation of the Sea Organ, as well as the actual physical construction of it will be discussed. Finally a simplified acoustical analysis of the Sea Organ will be done using the knowledge gained throughout this class. History The origination of the sea organ’s acoustical construction dates back to the 3rd century BC. The hydraulis, the first documented instrument that used water and air pressure to create music, was invented by Ctesibius of Alexandria. With well documented use up until the 5th century AD, this instrument was the predecessor of the well known pipe organ that is used today. The instrument used a series of vertical pipes that were held above and connected to an air chamber. The pressure in the air chamber was supplied by a water pump system that kept the air pressure underneath the pipes constant. This allowed the pipes to remain in tune and sound evenly despite little changes in air pressure due to weather fluctuations. Air pressure can change up to 5-10% depending on the weather and these fluctuations (while not aurally perceptible) undoubtedly affected the pressurized air in the pipes. The instrument was played by depressing keys or using slides to let the pressurized air into the pipes. The hydraulis is also commonly referred to as the “water organ”. (“hydraulis”, np; Water Organ, np) After the 5th century AD, the hydraulis was rapidly being replaced by more sophisticated methods of air pressure-pipe instruments. By the 9th century AD, the hydraulis was effectively extinct from the musica