PSV 1: Physics of Sound & Vibration - Foundations for Therapeutic Practices (Also available via Zoom)
Instructor: Thomas Orr Anderson
Registration Fee: $555

March 8, 2025 | 9AM-5PM
March 9, 2025 | 9AM-5PM

Course Description:

Sound and vibration are all around us, ever-present yet invisible. They shape our experiences and influence every level of our being, but their workings often remain elusive.  

As the foundation and primary tools of our practice, it is essential to develop a deep and accurate understanding of sound and vibration. Without this clarity, it’s easy to fall into misconceptions that limit our potential.  

Fortunately, the basic physics of sound and vibration has been well understood for over 150 years. However, traditional approaches to these topics generally demand extensive mathematical training and are tailored to scientists and engineers.  

Our needs are different. We seek to understand sound and vibration not for technological innovation, but to work with them in meaningful and therapeutic ways. This calls for an approach that is clear, accessible, and directly applicable to our practice.  

This course provides exactly that.  

Through visually engaging simulations, hands-on demonstrations, live instrument analysis, and TOA’s unique PSV framework, you’ll gain a fresh perspective on sound and vibration that is both exciting and practical.  

Here’s what we’ll cover:  

- What sound and vibration are, and how they work.  

- The fundamentals of waves, including frequency, amplitude, and wavelength.  

- Resonance and resonance frequencies.  

- Wave interactions, such as constructive and destructive interference.  

- Cymatics and Chladni patterns.  

- Room acoustics, including reflections, absorption, and diffusion.  

- Beat frequencies—monaural and binaural beating.  

- Harmonics and overtones.  

By the end of this course, you will:  

- Have a solid, practical understanding of the physics of sound and vibration.  

- Be able to apply this knowledge to enhance your therapeutic sound practices.  

- Understand resonance, harmonics, and wave interactions in ways that inform your work.  

- Gain insights into acoustic environments and how to interact with them for sound practices.  

- Communicate confidently about sound and vibration using a shared conceptual language.  

- Feel inspired and excited about how this understanding deepens your practice.  

This isn’t just a learning experience—it’s an adventure. You’ll laugh, reflect, and walk away seeing (and hearing) the world differently.