Physics and Music: The Science of Musical Sound

by Harvey E. White, Donald H. White

This foundational text is written for students who want to go beyond the perceptual stage of music to learn how musical sound is created and perceived. It surveys a wide range of topics related to acoustics, beginning with a brief history of the art and science of music. Succeeding chapters explore the general principles of sound, musical scales, the primary ways in which sound can be generated, the characteristics of instruments, the use of mechanical and electronic recording devices, hi-fi stereophonic and quadraphonic sound, the design of electronic musical instruments, and architectural acoustics.
Comprehensive yet accessible, Physics and Music includes over 300 diagrams, photographs, and tables. Each chapter concludes with questions, problems, and projects, in addition to references for further study. 1980 edition.

Genres: Music, Physics, Science, Mathematics, Nonfiction

452 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Mikael Lind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about 30 years old, but it's still a great introduction to the science of musical sound. There's some mathematics in there that I can't be bothered to try to understand at the moment, but most often, you can get the idea behind the mathematics without understanding the equations. As can be expected, the chapters on sound synthesis and computer music are a bit outdated, but this book is still a gem for anyone interested in the physical foundations of music... and it's cheap!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broad in scope, from tones and scales, through the array of instruments, to room acoustics, and the biomechanics of the human ear. All the explanations are founded on algebraic physics. The only shortcoming of this edition is its age; musical sound has become ever richer in the half-century since this book was written.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

40 years after publication, I think this book still makes a great job of explaining the physics of sound and music.

The part about electronic music etc. didn't age so well (cassette tape have been replaced for a long time now...). Since most of the book is about human hearing and music instruments, etc., it's still relevant today.