While the history of musical instruments is nearly as old as civilisation itself, the science of acoustics is quite recent. By understanding the physical basis of how instruments are used to make music, one hopes ultimately to be able to give physical criteria to distinguish a fine instrument from a mediocre one. At that point, science may be able to come to the aid of art in improving the design and performance of musical instruments. As yet, many of the subtleties in musical sounds of which instrument makers and musicians ...
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While the history of musical instruments is nearly as old as civilisation itself, the science of acoustics is quite recent. By understanding the physical basis of how instruments are used to make music, one hopes ultimately to be able to give physical criteria to distinguish a fine instrument from a mediocre one. At that point, science may be able to come to the aid of art in improving the design and performance of musical instruments. As yet, many of the subtleties in musical sounds of which instrument makers and musicians are aware remain beyond the reach of modern acoustical measurements. Indeed, for many musical instruments it is only within the past few years that musical acoustics has achieved even a reasonable understanding of the basic mechanisms determining the tone quality, and in some cases even major features of the sounding mechanism have only recently been unravelled. This book describes the results of such acoustical investigations.
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Edition:
Softcover reprint of hardcover 2nd edition 1998
Publisher:
Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Published:
2010
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
17445546030
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Fine. XX, 756 p. Intended for college/higher education audience. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Edition:
Softcover reprint of hardcover 2nd edition 1998
Publisher:
Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Published:
2010
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
17445964196
Shipping Options:
Standard Shipping: $4.64
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. XX, 756 p. Intended for college/higher education audience. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Edition:
Softcover reprint of hardcover 2nd edition 1998
Publisher:
Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Published:
2010
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
17322385248
Shipping Options:
Standard Shipping: $4.64
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. XX, 756 p. Intended for college/higher education audience. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
This book goes well beyond introductory texts, presenting the subject at a level of detail which will appeal to the serious student or the musical instrument designer. The level of mathematics used ranges from algebra to occasional differential equations. Some parts require very little math, while the more difficult parts should be accessible to anyone who has taken a calculus-based physics course.
My immediate reason for buying this book was to obtain a complete exposition of Fletcher's work on organ pipes, and it more than met my expectations. Organ builders will find a clear explanation of the physical basis of many well known aspects of pipe construction and voicing. The book also shows how the same principles are applied to woodwind and brass instruments.
I have dipped into other sections, such as those on chimes, harpsichords, clavichords, and pianos, and found them equally useful and detailed. A wide range of string and percussion instruments are discussed.
This book is an excellent resource. While physical processes in musical instruments are complex and to some extent still incompletely understood, instrument builders and musicians will find practical insights that are useful in the design and playing of actual instruments. Students of musical physics may be inspired to further research. The tools and techniques of this research are now within the reach of anyone, amateur or professional.
