From the very earliest experiments on vibrating strings and primitive sound makers to the latest concerns of digital sound recording, MP3 files, and information theory, this book explores the relationship between physics and music in an entertaining, user-friendly way. It provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the physics involved in every stage of the music making process. The book also narrates the story of our developing concept of the universe we live in: from the ancient visions of a cosmos regulated by the music of the spheres to our current understanding of an expanding universe controlled by the laws of quantum mechanics and string theory.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
|
There is a newer edition of this item:
|
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
I find it unputdownable, combining a thorough development of the mathematical and physical basis of music, dealt with in a historical framework, with interludes dealing in details with the different families of musical instruments. This new edition has updated the sections on electronic music and digital technology, which have changed vastly in the last decide, and which feature prominently in the new AS/A2 specifications. Thoroughly recommended.
From the Back Cover
There has always been a close connection between physics and music. From the great days of ancient Greek science, ideas and speculations have passed backward and forward between natural philosophers (physicists) and musical theorists. Measured Tones: The Interplay of Physics and Music, Second Edition explores the story of that relationship in an entertaining and user-friendly way.
The book provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the physics involved in every stage of the music making process: from the very earliest experiments on vibrating strings and primitive sound makers to the latest concerns of digital sound recording, MP3 files, and information theory. At the same time, it examines the story of our developing concept of the universe we live in: from the ancient visions of a cosmos regulated by the music of the spheres to our current understanding of an expanding universe controlled by the laws of quantum mechanics and string theory. Running through all this is one recurring question - the so-called puzzle of consonance. Why do humans respond to music and musical sounds the way they do? It is the attempts by musicians and scientists through the ages to apply new knowledge to answer this question that gives this story its fascination.
Measured Tones should provide rewarding reading for any physics teacher or student who would like to know more about music and where it impinges on their subject as well as for anyone who is musically inclined.
The book provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the physics involved in every stage of the music making process: from the very earliest experiments on vibrating strings and primitive sound makers to the latest concerns of digital sound recording, MP3 files, and information theory. At the same time, it examines the story of our developing concept of the universe we live in: from the ancient visions of a cosmos regulated by the music of the spheres to our current understanding of an expanding universe controlled by the laws of quantum mechanics and string theory. Running through all this is one recurring question - the so-called puzzle of consonance. Why do humans respond to music and musical sounds the way they do? It is the attempts by musicians and scientists through the ages to apply new knowledge to answer this question that gives this story its fascination.
Measured Tones should provide rewarding reading for any physics teacher or student who would like to know more about music and where it impinges on their subject as well as for anyone who is musically inclined.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
The story is often told of the tourist from the city asking the country vil how to get to the local church. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The story is often told of the tourist from the city asking the country vil how to get to the local church. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Phew, what a great book.
The book takes an historical approach to explaining the the underlying physics of music. Starting off with the development of scales it eventually gets on to string theory (albeit only speculatively). Throughout the book we are constantly reminded of how contemporary understanding of the time influenced music (and vice versa). Often in surprising ways.
Another excellent feature of the book is that it uses the development of musical instruments to show how the science of the day was applied.
Needs a bit of concentration though, and while the author points out the more technical sections that can be skipped these are well worth working through.
So now if you're serious about your music there is no excuse for being ignorant of its scientific under pinnings.
The book takes an historical approach to explaining the the underlying physics of music. Starting off with the development of scales it eventually gets on to string theory (albeit only speculatively). Throughout the book we are constantly reminded of how contemporary understanding of the time influenced music (and vice versa). Often in surprising ways.
Another excellent feature of the book is that it uses the development of musical instruments to show how the science of the day was applied.
Needs a bit of concentration though, and while the author points out the more technical sections that can be skipped these are well worth working through.
So now if you're serious about your music there is no excuse for being ignorant of its scientific under pinnings.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
An unusual approach to the topic
8 Aug 2000
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
I have used this book as the secondary text for a college course in the physics of music. There are a number of textbooks out there for courses of this sort (Rossing, Backus, Rigden, etc.) but this book takes a very different, historical approach, with a strong emphasis on scales and intonation. The mathematical level and level of detail are quite low--I found it hard to devise test questions to see whether the students had read the book. But it is written in a quirky, engaging style, and the students in the course found it a more enjoyable read than the main textbook by Rossing. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the relationship of history, physics, and music--no science background is required!
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book answered many questions
10 May 2000
By D. Gustavson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been trying to understand why music works like it does for several years, and stumbled onto this book by accident. It's exactly what I needed! It explains why musical scales are like they are, and how they got that way (which is important for understanding why it used to be significant which key some symphony was written in). It explains how harmony works, and melody too. And, how musical instruments work. And on top of that, it includes a very interesting history of science and of music, a very enjoyable read.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and historically informed account
16 Oct 1999
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
A superior and engaging account of how progress in the physical sciences is intertwined with the development of music theory and the evolution of musical instruments. The conversational tone of the text is never dry, and is liberally sprinkled with illustrations. There is music, science and history a-plenty here. You do not have to be "scientifically minded" to derive a great deal of pleasure and edification from the book, it has definitely been thoughtfully shaped by a professional educator. I first read this in 1990 and return to it time and again for reference, only to find myself absorbed in re-reading sections. Obviously a labor of love, "Measured Tones" deserves a wide audience. I wish Prof Johnston had written more!
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 7 reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Musical Theory & Composition > Musical Theory
- Books > Science & Nature > Mathematics > Education > Higher Education
- Books > Science & Nature > Physics > Applied Physics > Sound & Waves
- Books > Science & Nature > Popular Science > Physics
- Books > Scientific, Technical & Medical > Physics > Applied Physics
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
