Bu i ld i ng a Panpi pe
Ba c k ground Inf orm a tion:
The stopped-pipe wind instrument has a long history. Evidence of this instrument has been found as far
back as 2300 B.C. The name panpipe originates from the Greek culture. Its simplicity is the beauty of the
panpipe. The instrument is a series of pipes that are capped at one end. Each pipe is cut to a different length
providing a different note. When coupled with other pipes, one can produce and instrument that plays a range
of notes. To create the desired note the player sends a jet of air across the top of one pipe. The air that strikes
the backside of the pipe creates a standing wave in the pipe. This standing wave must have a node at the
closed end of the pipe and an antinode at the open end. The simplest way to achieve this is if the standing
wave is in the first harmonic. The first harmonic is the fundamental frequency of that pipe. Each individual
pipe is built to amplify one particular frequency. To determine the correct length of each pipe one must
complete the necessary calculations accounting for temperature of the air traveling in the pipe and the open
end effect.
P re p a ring to build your ins trum e nt:
The first step in building your instrument is to determine what
song you want to play. From this you need to determine the notes
(frequencies) you will need for the song you choose. You will be
limited to a five pipe instrument. This means your song must not
contain more than five notes. Table 1 provides a list of notes and
corresponding frequencies that work well with a panpipe. Notice we
are playing in the fourth octave (C4 is “middle C”). If your
particular song needs a “flat” let your teacher know and he/she can
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Pitch
C4
D4
E4
F4
G4
A4
B4
C5
Table 1
Frequency (Hz)
262
294
330
349
392
440
494
523
look up the corresponding frequency for you.
C a lc ula tions :
Once you have picked your frequencies you must calculate the
length you will need for each pipe. This will require a temperature
Material list:
correction for the speed of sound in air, a calculation of pipe length
5 ft. length ½ in I.D. PVC pipe
duct tape
sanding Block
PVC cutter
marker
based on the fundamental frequency, and a correction for the open
end. Before you will be given any material you must verify your
lengths with your teacher. Once your calculations have been verified
retrieve the necessary materials and begin to build your pipe.
Building your INS TRUM E NT:
Cutting:
1. Start with the longest pipe and work your way to the smallest!
2. Measure the correct length and mark it.
3. Measure the correct length again to make sure it is right. (You do not have enough pipe to make
mistakes on the cuts!! Measure twice, cut once.)
4. Using the PVC cutter line up the blade with your mark. The PVC cutter acts like a ratcheting scissors.
As you trigger the handle have your partner secure the ends of the pipe so they don’t flex. This will
help you make a perpendicular cut straight through the pipe.
5. Using the sanding block, smooth the outside edge of the pipe.
6. Repeat for each length. Return any leftover pipe to the instructor.
Closing one end:
1. Determine which edge of the pipe is straighter. Keep this end open!
2. Tear off a piece of duct tape long enough to cover bottom and stick to sides of pipe. Press to bottom
and stick to sides of pipe.
3. Tear off a second piece of tape that will wrap the entire diameter of the pipe. Wrap the pipe over the
original piece of tape to seal it.
Combining the pipes together:
1. Tear off a piece of duct tape that is 2.5 times the length of the all the pipes when you place them sideby-side.
2. Position the pipes so the open ends are all level and in order of increasing length.
3. Stick the duct tape 2-3 cm from top of pipes and wrap around all sides. This should secure the pipes
together.
4. Using the marker, label the notes for each pipe on the duct tape.
A na lys is :
1. Pick the note you can play the best, and that you believe is the closest to the correct frequency.
2. Using the mic and the Logger-Pro software test the true frequency of this note.
3. Record the frequency range of the note.
4. Calculate best and worst case percent error for your note. Find the average of these two values.
Record this as the error and include the possible deviation from the average. For example if your best
case is 25% and your worst case is 75%, you would report your error as 50% +/- 25%
5. Comment on the following in your report:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Was your note too high or low?
What specific factors could have caused this? Why?
How can you modify the pipe now to reduce the percent error?
What modifications to your procedure could you do to reduce this error from the start?
Would using copper or brass tubing instead of PVC change your results? Why or why not?
6. What is the practical logic behind starting with the longest pipe first when building the instrument?
7. How would your calculations change if we made wind chimes? (double open-ended pipes)
Re p ort m us t inc lude :
1. Title
2. Title of song to be played
3. Notes and frequencies that are required along with corresponding lengths of pipe in a table
4. Organized calculations
5. Picture or diagram of your pipe
6. Analysis
a. Report percent error with deviation
b. Build comments (5 a-e)
c. Answer all other analysis questions.
7. Must be typed with correct grammar. (Calculations can be done in pen)
Note: If report does not include all requirements it will not be accepted.
A s s e s s m e nt:
1. Report: 10 pts
2. Quality of build: 3pts
3. Percent error / Quality of sound: 5 pts
4. Performance: 2 pts