Musical AcousticsMusical acoustics presents a unique opportunity to see science and art working together. This book is a balanced presentation of all aspects of musical acoustics. It explains how our ears and brains interpret musical events, and connects traditional physical analyses to musical reality. The purpose of the book is two fold: (1) To help students use simple physical concepts as tools for understanding how music works, and (2) To use students' interest in music to motivate the study and appreciation of scientific methods. Any given chapter will challenge students with several points that are not obvious on the first reading. Starred sections are optional and are not a prerequisite to later sections. |
Common terms and phrases
acoustics amplifier amplitude approximately basilar membrane bass beats Benade Chapter chord chromatic scale clarinet complex components corresponding critical bands curve diameter diaphragm direction edgetone effect electrical electronic energy equal temperament example f₁ flute formant fundamental graph guitar harmonic series hear higher hole impedance input instruments intensity interval JASA length listener loudness loudspeaker magnetic mass measure membrane meter microphone mode frequencies motion move musical acoustics natural modes notes octave oscillation oscilloscope pattern pendulum percussion instruments physical piano pipe pitch played pressure produce radiation ratio recipe reed resonance reverberation scale Section semitone shown in Figure signal sine waves sound level sound level meter sound wave speaker spectra spectrum speed standing waves steady string timbre tion tone tone holes trumpet tube valve vibration violin vocal cords vocal tract voltage vowel W/mē waveform wavelength woodwinds