# Strings and pipes

A string is fixed at both ends, so the ends cannot move. The only vibrations that last are the ones that fit exactly between the two ends: one half-wave, two half-waves, three, and so on. Each of these shapes has its own frequency, 1, 2, 3… times the lowest one. The air inside a wind instrument follows the same rule with its own boundaries. A flute is open at both ends and holds all the harmonics. A clarinet is closed at one end and holds mostly the odd ones, which is part of why it sounds so different.

Connects to:
- [Vibration and pitch](https://mapideas.org/i/mu_vibration)
- [The harmonic series](https://mapideas.org/i/mu_harmonics)
- [Ratios](https://mapideas.org/i/mu_ratio)

Sources:
- [Wikipedia: Harmonic series (music)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_series_(music))
- [What is music? Module 2, fitting waves on a string](https://sofiagallego.com/what-is-music/)

Source: https://mapideas.org/i/mu_string · open on the map: https://mapideas.org/#mu_string