different sound

Tie an end of each of two 18 inch pieces of string to the long edge of a metal coathanger. Attach one near each end of the hanger. Hang the hanger by the strings so the long edge is horizontal and the hook is down. Hold a string end in each hand so the string end is over the tip of the index finger and held in place by the thumb. Put the tips of the index fingers into the ears. Let the hanger bump gently against a metal object. The sound the hanger makes travels better through the string than it does through the air. So you hear a louder than expected noise. The lower pitch parts of the sound travel much better through the string. That makes the sound a bit strange. Try the same thing with a large spoon suspended at its balance point by tying the center of a 2 foot string to the spoon's handle. The sound you hear is similar to a large bell or gong.