Information?

[bumbleBur2slow]

Hey, my name is Sam and I am doing a science project and a math project, and I was wondering if you could give me any information on either or both of them. First, I am doing the double bass for my science project, and I need to find information on the chemistry of the bass, what chemicals make it up and what tests are done on it, careers: what types are availible, what jobs relating the bass are related to science of chemistry, and what training you would need. Secondly, we are doing a math project where you need to find out how math is used in a career. I chose music in general for the career. So if you know any information or where I could get any information I would really appreciate it if you would let me know.
Thanks!!!
---Sam---

[Eric Rene Roy]

Chemistry in regards to basses might be tough...you might be limited to the cellular structure of wood and the making of varnish, as well as the chemical changes it(varnish) undergoes while it dries.

[Gasman]

Originally Posted by eroy

Chemistry in regards to basses might be tough...you might be limited to the cellular structure of wood and the making of varnish, as well as the chemical changes it(varnish) undergoes while it dries.

I agree. I was a chemistry major in college, and I don't really see an appropriate experiment or theory that would be worthwhile. Physics is a lot easier, in regard to music and instrument construction.

[richhansen]

Speaking for all of us bass players, I'm sure we would all agree that playing the bass is more fun than doing math.

Wikipedia is a great place to learn about the construction and history of the bass. Go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_bass

[drurb]

How about a library? There are countless texts on the subject of the mathematical aspects of music.

[mjt0229]

Here's a chemistry project for you: what about looking at the chemistry of strings and how they change as they accumulate hand oils, rosin, and exposure to the atmosphere.

It might not be simple, though......

[accutone]

[quote=drurb;5720836]How about a library? [/QUOTE

Huh?

[bumbleBur2slow]

Originally Posted by richhansen

Speaking for all of us bass players, I'm sure we would all agree that playing the bass is more fun than doing math.

Wikipedia is a great place to learn about the construction and history of the bass. Go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_bass

ummmm........yeahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and okay i will try the site...thanks

[bumbleBur2slow]

Originally Posted by mjt0229

Here's a chemistry project for you: what about looking at the chemistry of strings and how they change as they accumulate hand oils, rosin, and exposure to the atmosphere.

It might not be simple, though......

ooooo....thats a good idea actually....i shall try that....thanks

[bumbleBur2slow]

Originally Posted by drurb

How about a library? There are countless texts on the subject of the mathematical aspects of music.

gee thanks...i tried the library...and i went to the local library and didn't have time to go to the county library....so there were no helpful books.

[bumbleBur2slow]

Thanks to everyone who helped! which was alot of you! And if you have any further info or ideas of where i could look to find info, please let me know!

[larry]

Originally Posted by eroy

Chemistry in regards to basses might be tough...you might be limited to the cellular structure of wood and the making of varnish, as well as the chemical changes it(varnish) undergoes while it dries.

This may be of some help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stradivarius

Scroll down to "Theories and Reproduction attempts".



Heh heh...reproduction attempts...

[shadowhywind]

For math, you could allways bring in some physics and do something on string vibrations/harmonics/oscillations

[Eric Swanson]

Originally Posted by eroy

Chemistry in regards to basses might be tough...you might be limited to the cellular structure of wood and the making of varnish, as well as the chemical changes it(varnish) undergoes while it dries.

The Forest Products Laboratory can provide one more chemical (and physical) information about wood than anybody can, er, shake a stick at:

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/

A great general resource are Bruce Hoadley's books, (hopefully) available at most libraries, "Understanding Wood" and "Identifying Wood." The "Understanding Wood" is a basic primer text that has much info on chemistry/structure/etc.

Also, can't tell the geographical region from BumbleBur2slow's profile, but some areas (the Southeastern and Northwestern US states, specifically) have tremendous wood technology departments at some of the universities. They are great resources.

Additionally, my (non-luthiery) woodworking trade association The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) has deep technical resources, including some finishing chemistry information. One might want to speak with Craig Heuer.:

http://www.awinet.org/AboutUs/AWISta...4/Default.aspx

Here's their list of related sites:
http://www.awinet.org/IndustryResour...0/Default.aspx

Finally, and perhaps more efficiently, I suspect that BumbleBur2slow might get more help on this if it were posted in the "Setup and Repair" portion of this forum. Several of the luthiers there (Bob Branstetter comes to my mind) have ties with some luthiery associations that may have all the information anyone would want, published in some article or another.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by bumbleBur2slow

Hey, my name is Sam and I am doing a science project and a math project, and I was wondering if you could give me any information on either or both of them. First, I am doing the double bass for my science project, and I need to find information on the chemistry of the bass, what chemicals make it up and what tests are done on it, careers: what types are availible, what jobs relating the bass are related to science of chemistry, and what training you would need. Secondly, we are doing a math project where you need to find out how math is used in a career. I chose music in general for the career. So if you know any information or where I could get any information I would really appreciate it if you would let me know. ---Sam---

Originally Posted by drurb

How about a library? There are countless texts on the subject of the mathematical aspects of music.

Originally Posted by bumbleBur2slow

gee thanks...i tried the library...and i went to the local library and didn't have time to go to the county library....so there were no helpful books.

Let me elaborate. You explain that you have chosen the double bass as the subject for what is apparently a chemistry project. Specifically, "I need to find information on the chemistry of the bass, what chemicals make it up and what tests are done on it, careers: what types are availible, what jobs relating the bass are related to science of chemistry, and what training you would need."

My advice is that if you are doing a chemistry project, then the double-bass seems a rather limiting choice for a subject. You might look into the chemistry of varnishes/finishes, etc. or topics related to wood as suggested by others but those would apply to a number of instruments in addition to the DB. I think there are precious few (if any) chemistry-related careers specific to the DB. I suggest you broaden your scope. I can't help but wonder why, when assigned what seems to be a chemistry-related project, you chose the DB of all things.

Second, you explain that you are doing a project where you are to explore how mathematics are used in a career and that you have chosen music. You ask for information. As I mentioned, there are countless texts along with a plethora of material available on that topic. My suggestion that you visit a library was quite serious. That seemed the best way to find the information you seek. You replied that your local library was of no help and you "didn't have time" to visit the county library. So, for you "there were no helpful books." I wouldn't give up on books quite that fast. Your choice then, seems to be to do "internet research." Indeed, there may be many reasonable sources available on-line. I spent a whole five-seconds searching and found a ton of relevant material. I just don't believe that such an approach will yield returns as good as finding and reading (at least parts of) a few good texts. Call me old-fashioned but I think I know very well of what I speak!

Forgive me if this does not apply to you but if you frequent internet boards such as this you see quite a few students posting what basically amounts to "Need this info-- give me the answer." Such boards are rarely the source of consistent, authoritative information.

Off the soapbox I go.

By the way, where do you live?

[Eric Swanson]

Originally Posted by drurb

Forgive me if this does not apply to you but if you frequent internet boards such as this you see quite a few students posting what basically amounts to "Need this info-- give me the answer." Such boards are rarely the source of consistent, authoritative information...

+1 to DRURB.

The opportunity that the Internet presents to students is, hopefully, to jump higher and see more, not just finish assignments faster, with less involvement. I would also hope that the crucial time management skills we all (hopefully) develop as students do not get slighted by the "instantaneous" information available on the web. Do folks skimp on the time needed for their research, thinking instead that they can quickly dredge something up on the Internet? Who knows?

That said, I admit that I do have a soft spot in my heart for Sam, here...this reminds me of a Physics final paper I did in high school in '78 about the relative properties of various alloys used (either potentially or actually) in double bass strings, the effects of various nickel contents, core types, etc. Yes, really.

All pre-Internet/pre-computer (for me, anyway)...definitely a labor of love/obsession. What I got from it, though, was some improved research skills, familiarity with some new libraries, more metallurgy knowledge, etc.

At that time, I was trying to make my Physics paper relevant to my biggest passion at the time...the DB. I spent months working on it. I shudder to think of how many libraries I visited to collect data...

[bumbleBur2slow]

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

The Forest Products Laboratory can provide one more chemical (and physical) information about wood than anybody can, er, shake a stick at:

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/

A great general resource are Bruce Hoadley's books, (hopefully) available at most libraries, "Understanding Wood" and "Identifying Wood." The "Understanding Wood" is a basic primer text that has much info on chemistry/structure/etc.

Also, can't tell the geographical region from BumbleBur2slow's profile, but some areas (the Southeastern and Northwestern US states, specifically) have tremendous wood technology departments at some of the universities. They are great resources.

Additionally, my (non-luthiery) woodworking trade association The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) has deep technical resources, including some finishing chemistry information. One might want to speak with Craig Heuer.:

http://www.awinet.org/AboutUs/AWISta...4/Default.aspx

Here's their list of related sites:
http://www.awinet.org/IndustryResour...0/Default.aspx

Finally, and perhaps more efficiently, I suspect that BumbleBur2slow might get more help on this if it were posted in the "Setup and Repair" portion of this forum. Several of the luthiers there (Bob Branstetter comes to my mind) have ties with some luthiery associations that may have all the information anyone would want, published in some article or another.

okay i will try posting it in the "Setup adn Repair" section.

[bumbleBur2slow]

Originally Posted by drurb

Let me elaborate. You explain that you have chosen the double bass as the subject for what is apparently a chemistry project. Specifically, "I need to find information on the chemistry of the bass, what chemicals make it up and what tests are done on it, careers: what types are availible, what jobs relating the bass are related to science of chemistry, and what training you would need."

My advice is that if you are doing a chemistry project, then the double-bass seems a rather limiting choice for a subject. You might look into the chemistry of varnishes/finishes, etc. or topics related to wood as suggested by others but those would apply to a number of instruments in addition to the DB. I think there are precious few (if any) chemistry-related careers specific to the DB. I suggest you broaden your scope. I can't help but wonder why, when assigned what seems to be a chemistry-related project, you chose the DB of all things.

Second, you explain that you are doing a project where you are to explore how mathematics are used in a career and that you have chosen music. You ask for information. As I mentioned, there are countless texts along with a plethora of material available on that topic. My suggestion that you visit a library was quite serious. That seemed the best way to find the information you seek. You replied that your local library was of no help and you "didn't have time" to visit the county library. So, for you "there were no helpful books." I wouldn't give up on books quite that fast. Your choice then, seems to be to do "internet research." Indeed, there may be many reasonable sources available on-line. I spent a whole five-seconds searching and found a ton of relevant material. I just don't believe that such an approach will yield returns as good as finding and reading (at least parts of) a few good texts. Call me old-fashioned but I think I know very well of what I speak!

Forgive me if this does not apply to you but if you frequent internet boards such as this you see quite a few students posting what basically amounts to "Need this info-- give me the answer." Such boards are rarely the source of consistent, authoritative information.

Off the soapbox I go.

By the way, where do you live?

it is not only a chemistry project, that is just the part that i was having trouble finding any information on. My science teacher kept handing me all of this useless info...and i looked at all the books that i can. the reson i have not been able to get to a library is because i have only had time when it was like 8 or 9 o'clock and the library closes at about 5. so i was not in the mood for breaking into the library. i don't know why...and the math part of it was just like any extra information that someone could think of. I could easily find that, i just figured i might as well throw that out there too. no i did not post this on here and just say "i need this info-- give me answers."

[Carl Johnson]

Here's a chemistry experiment: Test the various effects of different solutions and volumes of ethyl alcohol when consumed by the bass operator. Of course this is a collage level experiment.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Carl Johnson

Here's a chemistry experiment: Test the various effects of different solutions and volumes of ethyl alcohol when consumed by the bass operator. Of course this is a collage level experiment.

Now we're on to something!