Description
Book SynopsisPeppered throughout with anecdotes and examples illustrating key concepts, this invitingly written book provides a firm grounding in the actual and theoretical physics of music.
Trade ReviewGood Vibrations deals, in a nontechnical manner, with the very interesting subject of the physics of music. Choice 2010 Good Vibrations provides many interesting facts and connections between physics and music for the general reader. -- David Dolak Physics Today 2010 It is seriously easy to understand... It is clear that Parker loves having been born into a world that includes music. Reading this book is like listening to a teacher who worships his subject matter. -- Joseph Arellano Sacramento Bee 2010
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction
I. Sound and Sound Waves
1. Making Music: How Sound Is Made
2. The Sound of Music: Perception
3. Good Vibes: Waves in Motion
II. The Building Blocks of Music
4. Making Music Beautiful: Complex Musical Tones
5. The Well-Tempered Scale
6. Down Melody Lane with Chords and Chord Sequences
7. "You've Gotta Have Rhythm": Rhythm and Types of Music
III. Musical Instruments
8. Why a Piano Is Not a Harpsichord
9. The Stringed Instruments: Making Music with the Violin and the Guitar
10. The Brass Instruments: Trumpet and Trombone
11. The Woodwinds: Clarinet and Saxophone
12. The Most Versatile Instrument: The Singing Voice
IV. New Technologies and Acoustics
13. New Technologies and Acoustics
14. Making a MIDI Recording
15. The Acoustics of Concert Halls and Studios
Epilogue
Suggested Readings
Index
