Why do smaller instruments have a higher pitch

Shorter instruments have shorter air columns and thus standing waves with shorter wavelengths resulting in higher pitches. When working with waves the wavelength and frequency (pitch) are inversely related. Sound waves have the relation frequency times wavelength equal the speed of sound.

1. How does the size of an instrument affect its pitch?
2. Why do small sized instruments make high pitch sounds and large instruments make low pitch sounds?
3. Is the smaller the instrument the higher the pitch?

How does the size of an instrument affect its pitch?

When the length of a string is changed, it will vibrate with a different frequency. Shorter strings have higher frequency and therefore higher pitch. ... A string stretched between two points, such as on a stringed instrument, will have tension.

Why do small sized instruments make high pitch sounds and large instruments make low pitch sounds?

Big instru- ments generally make lower vibrations than small ones. The smaller the instrument, the faster the vibrations and the higher the sound.

Is the smaller the instrument the higher the pitch?

A smaller triangle or cymbal will make a relatively higher pitch note. On a stringed instrument such as a guitar or violin a thinner string will generally make a higher note, but also shortening the string by stopping it with the finger will produce a similar effect.