| an make your own cymatics device in 3 simple steps, | | | | you want to have the length cut to. (For an adult |
| using materials that shouldn't cost more than $20. I call | | | | probably at about 6 feet, for a ten year old, about 4 |
| this version of a cymatics device a "Cymatics | | | | feet and so on). |
| Sounder." | | | | 3. Black balloons: |
| What is a Cymatics Sounder? | | | | You can find these at craft stores, florists, and in any |
| If you are not familiar with what a cymatics device is, it | | | | party section of a store, but I have found that florists |
| is a device for making sound waves visible. This | | | | have the biggest and nicest ones, which work best for |
| particular cymatics device is generally called a | | | | a cymatics device. If you can't find any black balloons, |
| "tonascope" and has been used to help deaf people | | | | any dark color like purple or blue will work too. Try to |
| learn how to speak. I call mine a "Cymatics Sounder" | | | | get the largest, heaviest quality they have, but almost |
| because it's easier to say. There are many ways to | | | | anything will work. |
| make one, after several experiments, this is by far the | | | | 4. Rubber bands: |
| fastest and simplest way to make a cymatics device | | | | Hobby stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, craft |
| of any kind that I have come up with. | | | | stores, department stores. About 3-5 inch size is best |
| Why would you want to make one? | | | | and get the thickest ones you can find. But again, |
| A Cymatics Sounder can be used to make visible | | | | almost anything will work. |
| patterns using only your voice. It will actually show you | | | | How to build your Cymatics Sounder: |
| what the sound of your voice looks like. When you | | | | 1. Set your PVC elbow piece on the floor, with the |
| sing into a cymatics device you can alter both the | | | | bigger end as a base and the angled part angled up. |
| amplitude and tone of your voice and see different | | | | Now place the end of the PVC pipe firmly down into |
| patterns of varying complexity arise in from of your | | | | the angled part of the elbow (think of it as building a |
| eyes. It's a lot of fun, and really amazing to experience. | | | | saxophone). The length of pipe should be going up an |
| (See below to learn more about cymatics in science | | | | angle now and the other open end of the elbow |
| and history). | | | | should be facing straight up. |
| What you will need for your Cymatics Sounder: | | | | 2. Cut the "neck" off a balloon at about 1 inch from the |
| 1. A PVC pipe "elbow," with a 45 degree angle (looks | | | | blowing end. (You have several balloons in case you |
| like a check-mark). | | | | need them, but you will only use one at a time). Now |
| 2. A length of PVC pipe, preferably about 2" in | | | | stretch the balloon tightly over the neck of the PVC |
| diameter, cut to the right length for you. | | | | elbow that is facing up (the 6 inch end without the pipe |
| 3. 3-4 black (or other dark colored) balloons | | | | in it). You may need to do this a couple times to get it |
| 4. Some rubber bands | | | | flat with no dimples or loose parts in the balloon |
| 5. Table salt (that means plain old salt) | | | | surface. The balloon should be flat and facing upwards |
| Where and how to get your supplies: | | | | like a drumhead. The vibration of something on a |
| 1. PVC elbow: | | | | membrane like this is how all tonascopes work. |
| The hardware or lumber store or any home-supply | | | | 3. Holding the balloon down over the PVC with one |
| store is a good place to get your PVC. First you want | | | | hand, get a rubber band and put it down over the |
| to find a PVC elbow shaped like a "v" (or a | | | | balloon so it holds it on the PVC elbow. You should put |
| checkmark) that has one part going straight up and | | | | about 5 or 6 rubber bands on it to make sure it doesn't |
| down, and another part going out at a 45 degree | | | | pop off. |
| angle. The up and down part should be about 6 inches | | | | Now you are ready to 'play' your cymatics device and |
| across and the angled part ideally should be about 2" in | | | | make sound visible! |
| diameter. *NOTE: If you can only find an elbow with | | | | How to play your Cymatics Sounder: |
| both parts the same size of 6 inches wide, that is ok, | | | | 1. Hold it upright on the ground so the balloon covered |
| see note at bottom of the next step). | | | | end is facing up and level like a drum. |
| 2. PVC Pipe: Now you want to look for some pipe | | | | 2. Sprinkle some salt on the surface of the balloon, just |
| about 2" in diameter (wide) and ask someone there to | | | | enough to lightly cover it over. |
| cut it for you. The length you cut it to depends on how | | | | 3. Now put your mouth up to the other end of the |
| tall you are. Here's how to see how long you want it | | | | PVC pipe (as if it's a saxophone) and sing and hum! |
| cut to: Set the PVC elbow you found on the floor, with | | | | You will see the salt respond to your voice and start |
| the straight, 6 inch part as the 'base' and the smaller | | | | to make cymatics patterns like circles, ovals, and |
| angled part facing upward, like a checkmark. Then put | | | | snake-like figures. |
| the pipe you found into the part that is facing upward, | | | | Hint: Making nice, loud "aaaaa" or "oooooo" or "eeeee" |
| so it makes a big checkmark shape. *NOTE: If you | | | | vowel sounds into the pipe will get the best cymatics |
| could only find an elbow piece with a larger (or other | | | | designs to start with. You will get simple patterns and |
| size) angled opening, just get the pipe that will fit right | | | | effects (like the salt just jumping off the surface) to |
| into it. 2 inch is best but you don't need it to make it | | | | start with. Then you will learn how to get more detailed |
| work. | | | | and "clear" designs as you learn to play your Cymatics |
| Stand next to the pipe and see where it naturally | | | | Sounder just by watching it. |
| meets your mouth (since you will be blowing into it like | | | | Enjoy! |
| a saxophone).Wherever it meets your mouth is where | | | | |