Physics and Music: The Science of Musical Sound (Dover Books on Physics)

Finally a great book on the subject! He goes straight to the point and doesn’t ramble about politics or any other distractions.

If you are truly interested in Music Theory - start here. I had only a year of physics in college and do find the book a stiff read. It is 400+ pages. I've perhaps spend 10 hours with it so far and am on page 70! But it is worth the effort, IMHO/

Musical instruments are not a creative accident but conform to the laws of physics expressed by ancient mathematics. I especially appreciate that Pythagoras got it right and mathematically described "good sounding" sounds as ratios of small whole numbers. That is, 2:1, 3:2, 4:5 etc. We associate these ratios with C to C', C to G, and C to E. If you shorten a string in half (2:1), you get a perfect octave. Thus, the placement of frets in a guitar is no accident. They follow the observations that Pythagoras made centuries ago. If you open the thumb valve of a saxophone, you change the resonant frequency from a singe opening to a double opening making it sing an octave higher. This book explains why an orchestra of wind and strings can make beautiful music together.

Great value for a introduction to the science of musical sound. Its five sections covers the basic physics of sound production, hearing and harmony, musical instruments, electronic sound systems, and acoustical architecture in a concise manner but with good content for its over 400 pages. I particularly liked the inclusion of the appendices which patiently explain basic physical principles and underlying math. There are questions with selected answers so that the text can be used in class. The book dates from 1980, so technology has moved on here and there, but much is time-independent. A handy, affordable volume, well printed by Dover in 2014 , unabridged.

Good book for students or teachers or people interested on the topic, many details, well written

The book is great, lots to study.

Could ask for any better in this category.

Very pleased!

Stellar for anyone interested in recording and the mechanics of music.

The book is great. Tells you everything you need to know about Acoustics really. If you are a beginner and want to learn the basics before persuing a job / degree then this is the book for you. Aimed mainly at the musical people I think, rather than scientific. Covers most of my First Year physics questions in my degree. It covers basically everything you want to know about hearing and music.

recebido em boas condições

Great book and great sheller, thank you. I'm very satisfied. This book not only cover the basics of physics applied to sound and music but it goes more deeply.

A fine, comprehensive review of musical acoustics. Despite being somewhat dated (1979)--especially and predictably the sections on sound recording, transmission and electronic music--it is still serviceable as an introductory university text. Good sections on the components of sound and the various families of musical instruments.