sonorous

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One of the physical properties of a metal, by which sound is produced when a metal is struck. For example, aluminium produces a high pitch sound when struck. Many metals are used to make musical instruments in order to exploit their sonorous properties. Changing the structure of a metal varies the sound produced. In the manufacture of a steel drum, hammering and stretching the steel to elongate the ‘head’ gives a higher pitch. The difference in sound occurs because hammering disturbs the ordered arrangement of atoms in the metal, causing dislocation (fracture lines); the weakened metal produces a different pitch.

Other instruments, such as trumpets, saxophones, and flutes, are made of shiny metals, such as brass (an alloy of copper and zinc). The musical sound produced is by the vibration of air particles through and within the tube of the instrument.

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