P6_2 Music Under the Sea

Abstract

We consider the differences in how music would sound to Ariel from Walt Disney’s The Little Mermaid when on land compared to under the sea. We take into account the dependence on temperature and depth when calculating the speed of sound in salt water. We found that Ariel’s voice would be higher in frequency when under the sea, along with wind and brass instruments. In order to sound familiar to her on land, these instruments would have to be shortened in length. Percussion and string instruments would not be affected.