logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2019
27m 10s

How do pianos work?

American Public Media
About this episode
Behind every piano’s polished exterior are thousands of parts. From keys to strings, they work together to produce a sound. In this episode, we take a field trip to a piano shop, peek behind the walls at a world-famous piano factory and have an EPIC FIGHTING BATTLE to discover how sound travels. And the Moment of Um answers this question: “Can you really he ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
How do we get Vitamin D from the sun?
There’s a bunch of vitamins and minerals our bodies need to do their body thing. Our bodies don’t make them, so we get them through food – except for vitamin D! We can get vitamin D from the UV rays from the sun, but the UV rays from the sun can also do damage. Listen to this epi ... Show More
29m 39s
Aug 18
Forever Ago: Who invented Pokemon?
We are super-excited to let you know that our pals at Forever Ago just started a brand new season. Host of Forever Ago, Joy Dolo, will dive into all sorts of cool history including trick or treating, the Wizard of Oz and pizza, just to name a few. The season kicks off with an epi ... Show More
33m 8s
Aug 14
Sneak peek: Hoax Hunters explain the Pokemon Shock
This is a sneak peek of a bonus episode available to Smarty Pass subscribers. It’s a follow up to the Forever Ago episode about the history of Pokemon. This time, Marc and Sanden are back as the Hoax Hunters to investigate a phenomenon known as the Pokemon Shock. It was an event ... Show More
6m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2025
Keys!
<p>What do la clave, the difference between public and private, and two giraffes have in common?</p> <p>In this sneaky episode of Ear Snacks, Andrew &amp; Polly learn about the rhythms of Cuban music with <a href='https://www.instagram.com/mariamartinacastro/?hl=en'>Martina Castr ... Show More
21m 59s
Jan 2015
What is a logical bassoon?
Next stop on Nancy and the Meerkats’ tour sees them investigate some really cool instruments! But what catches on and how can a patent help?Join Fun Kids Podcasts+: https://funkidslive.com/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
4m 8s
Sep 2025
Music the Earth Makes
Music really is all around us! In this week’s episode, sound designer and mystical wizard Alex Biscardi guides Kiana and Fiona through music made with water, singing rocks, even wind that plays the harp! Listen at music box pod dot org. 
11m 1s
May 2020
How Musical Instruments Work
What makes a trumpet sound different from a guitar? How do flutes work? In this episode, we look at how musical instruments actually create their respective, distinctive sounds. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener fo ... Show More
45m 43s
May 2020
How Music Works - The Physics
Musical instruments are a particularly cool type of technology. How do musical instruments take advantage of fundamental laws of physics? We explore the nature of sound and music in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystud ... Show More
44m 13s
Feb 2019
Episode 3: It takes one to (pia)no one
This instrument may seem pretty black and white, but there’s more to the piano than meets the eye. Join David Walliams as he travels inside the piano, discovers its most famous players and explores the unlikely ways it changed music forever. Each episode is also accompanied by a ... Show More
16m 59s
Oct 2024
Found Sound
Shhh! Do you have your listening ears on? Kiana and Fiona are at Waterfront Park in Louisville, Kentucky tuning our ears to the sonic environment. We explore how to use your community's sounds to make music, art and field recordings. So, have your headphones ready for this episod ... Show More
8m 29s
Jul 2023
S4E4: The Case of the Spontaneous Piano
A mysterious piano is placed in the public park after a rainstorm. Who put it there and why? Snoop and Sniffy are on the case to investigate how this broken musical instrument ended up in the park. 
20m 10s
Jan 2015
Are theatre organs OMG or OAP?
Nancy and the Meerkats are on tour but can they turn a bingo hall into a rocking venue with the help of a theatre organ?Join Fun Kids Podcasts+: https://funkidslive.com/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
4m 14s
Sep 2021
The Sound We Found: At the Beach
There are so many sounds at the beach! With deductive reasoning skills, help the Lingokids friends figure out what&apos;s making today&apos;s mystery seashore sound. A special coloring page accompanies this episode. Download it from here. Ask a grown-up to print it out, then colo ... Show More
4m 8s