Measured tones : the interplay of physics and music

Bibliographic Information

Measured tones : the interplay of physics and music

by Ian Johnston

Hilger, c1989

Available at  / 2 libraries

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Note

Bibliography: p

Includes index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Ian Johnston is a physicist interested in music and with a belief that the two fields have much to offer one another. The purpose of this book is to show that, by linking the two subjects, enjoyment of music can be increased and so can the understanding of physics. Anyone with an interest in music will find that an appreciation of the physics will add to their enjoyment: general science readers, practicing scientists with an interest in music, musicians and music students; undergraduate students of music taking option courses in physics of music and those taking extra mural or adult education courses in music.

Table of Contents

Why these and not others? Length of strings. Harmonious intervals. Pythagoras, pentatonic and pythagorean scales. Ptolemy. Boethius. Music and scientific method: Medieval music. Josquin. Copernicus. Kepler. Galileo. Vibrations. Pendulums and strings. Consonance. Measurement of frequency. Standards of pitch. Interlude - Brass instruments. The harmonies of a mechanical universe: Mechanical forces. Energy. Oscillation theory. Mersenne's laws. Baroque music. Instruments. Equal temperament. Interlude - The piano. Overtones of enlightenment: Newton and the Age of Reason. Visualization of oscillations. Overtones. Harmonic analysis and synthesis. Rameau and harmony. End of the Enlightenment. Interlude - The violin. Over the waves: Wave theory. Speed of sound. Wave properties: reflection, absorption, diffraction. Huygens and Young. Standing waves. Interlude - Acoustics in architecture. The romance of electricity: The Romantic movement. Study of electricity, Faraday. Acoustics. Energy coupling and acoustic impedance. Mismatch theorem. Standing waves in air columns. Interlude - Woodwind instruments. Summertime in Heidelberg: Wagner and Helmholtz. Theory of resonance. Working of the ear. Pitch recognition and discrimination. Psycho-acoustics. Theory of consonance. Interlude - Percussion. A brave new world: Communication devices: microphones, gramophones, valves, transistors. Effect on music. Modern sound engineering: frequency response, transients. Technology. Interlude - Electronic instruments. I think, therefore I am: Theory of communication. Information. Computers. Computer composition. Interlude - Sublimest of instruments, the voice. Epilogue. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

  • NCID
    BA10326336
  • ISBN
    • 0852742363
  • LCCN
    89015289
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    Bristol ; Philadelphia
  • Pages/Volumes
    xi, 397 p.
  • Size
    24 cm.
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
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