Speech Dissector

Slice up a recording of your voice and listen to the pieces. Record your voice and see the visual pattern (amplitude) on the screen. Alter the recording, or a part of it, by reversing the playback or changing the speed.

A particularly interesting game is to record a word and listen to it played backwards. After memorizing the sound, record yourself saying the reversed word, and then play it backwards to recreate the original word.

Questions to Ask

Your voice sounds are recorded and converted into what forms of energy?

Say the word “welcome” in a high-pitched voice. Observe the visual pattern created. Repeat the word in a lower-pitched voice. What is the difference in the visual pattern of the two pitches? Which one is easier to say in reverse?

What type of wave is shown as the visual pattern is recorded?

Relevant Arkansas Science Frameworks

PS.7.8.4, PS.7.8.5, PS.7.6.3, PS.7.6.2, PS.6.3.1, PS.6.3.2, P.6.PS.13, P.7.PS.5, P.7.PS.12

"Mini-Vibe" — An activity to do at home or in the classroom