How Music Works The Science and Psychology of Beautiful Sounds, from Beethoven to the Beatles and Beyond

by Powell, John

• ISBN13: 9780316098311
• ISBN10: 0316098310
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-12-02
• Publisher: Little, Brown Spark

Summary

What makes a musical note different from any other sound? How can you tell if you have perfect pitch? Why do 10 violins sound only twice as loud as one? Do your Bob Dylan albums sound better on CD or vinyl? John Powell, a scientist and musician, answers these questions and many more in HOW MUSIC WORKS, an intriguing and original guide to acoustics. In a clear, accessible, and engaging voice, Powell fascinates the reader with his delightful descriptions of the science and psychology lurking beneath the surface of music. With lively discussions of the secrets behind harmony, timbre, keys, chords, loudness, musical composition, and more, HOW MUSIC WORKS will be treasured by music lovers everywhere.The book also includes a CD of examples and exercises from the book.

Author Biography

John Powell holds a master's degree in music composition and a phd in physics; and he has taught musical acoustics at sheffield University and physics at the Universities of Nottingham and Lulea (Sweden) He lives in England.

Table of Contents

So, What Is Music, Anyway?	p. 1
What Is Perfect Pitch and Do I Have It?	p. 11
Notes and Noises	p. 20
Xylophones and Saxophones: Same Notes but Different Sounds	p. 39
Instrumental Break	p. 48
How Loud Is Loud?	p. 81
Harmony and Cacophony	p. 101
Weighing Up Scales	p. 118
The Self-Confident Major and the Emotional Minor	p. 141
I Got Rhythm	p. 182
Making Music	p. 203
Listening to Music	p. 230
Fiddly Details	p. 244
Naming and Identifying Intervals	p. 244
Using the Decibel System	p. 246
Tuning an Instrument to the Pentatonic Scale	p. 248
Calculating Equal Temperament	p. 250
The Notes of the Major Keys	p. 253
Bibliography	p. 255
Acknowledgments	p. 259
Index	p. 261
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