Measured Tones

A professor of astrophysics and a connoisseur of music offers an informal historical approach that shows the evolution of both theory and application at the intersection of physics and music.

An informal historical approach that shows the evolution of both theory and application at the intersection of physics and music. It features an examination of psycho-acoustics and its role in the design of MP3s. It also includes information on the gamelan and other Asian percussion instruments.

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 1. Brass Instruments. Harmonies of a Mechanical Universe. Mechanical Forces. Energy. Oscillation Theory. Mersenne's Laws. Baroque Music. Instruments. Equal Temperament. Interlude 2. 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 3. The Violin. Over the Waves. Wave Theory. Speed of Sound. Wave Properties: Reflection, Absorption, Diffraction. Huygens and Young. Standing Waves. Interlude 4. 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 5. 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 6. Percussion Instruments. O brave New World. Communication Devices: Microphones, Gramophones, Valves, Transistors. Effect on Music. Modern Sound Engineering: Frequency Response, Transients. Technology. Interlude 7. Electronic Instruments. I think, Therefore I am. Theory of Communication. Information. Computers. Computer Composition. Interlude 8. Sublimest of Instruments, the Voice.