Rachael Oelkers
CED 540
Reflection
Sounds and Silence
The instrument that I chose to make is the zampona. The zampona is a collection
of several different sized bamboo tubes that are open at both ends. Sound is produced by
blowing on the end at a 45 degree angle, while holding the instrument vertically. Instead
of using bamboo tubes to make the zampona, I choose to use straws to make it easier for
people to obtain the materials. I began by cutting the straws into different lengths. Next I
put the lengths in order from highest to lowest and then taped them together. Once the
instrument is secured you can blow into the end where all the straws are at the same level.
With each straw you blow into there will be a change of pitch as you go from the longer
straws to the shorter straws. The pitch will go from low to high. To make the instrument
louder all you have to do is put more force into each tube when you blow.
The reason I chose to make the zampona is because it was one of the first
instruments when I was a child that actually showed me how sound changed in pitch. My
brother and I got one as a gift and for the longest time we had no idea what it was and
that its purpose was to make music. Once we figured it out I remember being amazed that
such a small instrument made out of hollow sticks could make music.