Our brainwave frequencies
The human brain doesn't have a single "resonance frequency" but operates across a range of brainwave frequencies. These frequencies are electrical oscillations produced by neurons in the brain and correspond to different states of mind. They are measured in Hertz (Hz) and categorized as follows:
Brainwave Categories and Frequencies
Delta Waves (0.5–4 Hz):
Associated with deep sleep, relaxation, and healing.
Dominant when the body is in a state of rest and repair.
Theta Waves (4–8 Hz):
Linked to light sleep, deep relaxation, meditation, and creativity.
Often associated with dream states and access to the subconscious mind.
Alpha Waves (8–12 Hz):
Associated with calmness, focus, and a relaxed but alert state.
Prominent during moments of mindfulness or when you’re in a meditative state.
Beta Waves (12–30 Hz):
Associated with active thinking, problem-solving, and concentration.
Higher beta waves (closer to 30 Hz) are linked to stress and anxiety.
Gamma Waves (30–100 Hz):
Linked to high-level cognition, learning, memory, and consciousness.
Found in moments of insight or deep focus.
Resonance of the Human Mind
Some researchers suggest that the human brain resonates most harmoniously in the Alpha range (8–12 Hz), which corresponds to a relaxed and balanced state. This is often referred to as the brain's "natural resonance" or Schumann resonance because it aligns with the Earth’s electromagnetic frequency (~7.83 Hz).
Applications of Brainwave Resonance
Meditation & Relaxation: Practices like mindfulness and sound therapy aim to synchronize brainwaves, often encouraging alpha and theta waves.
Binaural Beats: Audio tones are used to stimulate specific brainwave frequencies to promote relaxation, focus, or sleep.
Happy drum
Smriti’s steel Tongue drum, also known as a happy drum or tank drum, is a percussion instrument made from steel that produces resonant, harmonic sounds when struck. The mechanism of the tongue drum is based on the principles of vibration and acoustic resonance.
Here’s a breakdown of how the steel tongue drum works:
1. Construction and Material
Material:
Steel tongue drums is made from steel alloy. This material is chosen for its durability and ability to produce long-lasting, rich tones.
Shape:
The drum has a hollowed-out body that amplifies the vibrations of the tongues (the cut-out sections) on the surface. The body is circular metal shell.
2. The Tongues
Tongues (or "tongues" or "blades") are the metal sections of the drum that are cut into the surface of the drum, forming a set of note-producing sections.
The length, width, and shape of each tongue determine the pitch of the note it produces. Longer, wider tongues produce lower frequencies, while shorter, narrower tongues produce higher frequencies.
Each tongue is tuned to a specific musical note by adjusting the size and shape of the metal. This tuning process typically involves fine-tuning the thickness of the tongue to achieve the desired pitch.
3. Resonance and Vibration
Vibration Mechanism:
When you strike a tongue with your hand or a mallet, it vibrates. The vibration causes the metal to create sound waves, producing the musical note of the specific tongue.
The pitch depends on the fundamental frequency (how quickly the tongue vibrates) and the overtones (higher frequencies produced by the vibrating tongue).
The larger (longer) tongues vibrate at lower frequencies, while the smaller (shorter) tongues vibrate at higher frequencies.
Resonating Body:
The hollow chamber inside the drum acts as a resonator, amplifying the sound produced by the vibrating tongues. This resonance enhances the volume and tonal richness of the notes.
The material and construction of the body also affect the quality of the sound. Thicker metal bodies result in a deeper tone, while thinner bodies can produce brighter, more metallic sounds.
4. Tuning and Scales
The tongues of a steel tongue drum are cut and tuned to specific musical scales.
Tuning Process:
After the tongues are cut, they are manually tuned by adjusting the metal's thickness. Tuning may involve shaving, hammering, or polishing specific sections of the tongue. This fine-tuning process helps ensure that each tongue resonates at the desired frequency.
Smriti’s scales includes:
Octave scale (8 notes) — includes a full range of notes, very popular for its harmonious and pleasant sound.
Low notes: 350-450 Hz
Mid notes: 450-550 Hz
High notes: 600-750 Hz
This frequency is suited and designed to align with the human brainwave to release stress and relief from anxiety.
5. Playing Technique
Steel tongue drums are usually played by hand or with soft mallets. The player strikes the tongues with their hands or mallets, and the vibrations produced generate sound.
The sound produced can be modified by striking the tongue in different ways:
Center of the tongue: Produces the purest, clearest note.
Edge of the tongue: Results in a slightly altered tone with more overtones.
6. Acoustic Properties
Tuning: The relationship between the fundamental tone and the overtones plays a crucial role in the drum’s sound. A well-tuned tongue drum will have a rich harmonic structure that enhances the listening experience.
Sustain: Steel tongue drums generally produce long, resonating tones, especially when struck gently. The resonant body of the drum keeps the sound sustained for a longer period.
Summary of Steel Tongue Drum Mechanism:
Vibration of Tongues: Each tongue vibrates at a specific frequency when struck, producing a musical note.
Resonance of the Drum Body: The hollow metal body amplifies the vibrations and enhances the sound.
Tuning of the Tongues: Each tongue is cut and tuned to specific notes based on size and shape, and the drum is tuned to a musical scale.
Acoustic Properties: The combination of the material, construction, and tuning allows for long, resonant notes that create a harmonic, meditative sound experience.
This video explains the basic technique to play a Happy drum