Sound is a wave which is created by vibrating objects and propagated through a medium from one location to another. In this subject, we will investigate the nature, properties and behaviors of sound waves and apply basic wave principles towards an understanding of music.

Communication: transfer of information from a source or stimulus through a medium to a reception point. The medium through which the information travels can be air, water, space or solid objects. Information that is carried through all natural media takes the form of waves – repeating patterns that oscillate back and forth. E.g. light, sound, electricity radio and TV waves.

A medium must be stimulated in order for waves of information to be generated in it. A stimulus produces energy, which radiates outwards from the source in all directions. The sun and an electric light bulb produce light energy. A speaker, a vibrating guitar string or tuning fork and the voice are sound sources, which produce sound energy waves.

A medium is something intermediate or in the middle. In an exchange of communication the medium lies between the stimulus and the receptor. The medium transmits the waves generated by the stimulus and delivers these waves to the receptor. In acoustic sound transmission, the primary medium is air. In electronic sound transmission the medium is an electric circuit, Sound waves will not travel through space although light will. In space no-one can hear you scream.

A receptor must be capable of responding to the waves being transmitted through to be perceived. The receptor must be physically configured to sympathetically tune in to the types of waves it receives. An ear or a microphone is tuned in to sound waves. An eye or a camera is tuned in to light waves.