Musical Sound, Instruments, and Equipment' offers a basic understanding of sound, musical instruments and music equipment, geared towards a general audience and non-science majors. The book begins with an introduction of the fundamental properties of sound waves, and the perception of the characteristics of sound. The relation between intensity and loudness, and the relation between frequency and pitch are discussed. The basics of propagation of sound waves, and the interaction of sound waves with objects and structures of various sizes are introduced. Standing waves, harmonics and resonance are explained in simple terms, using graphics that provide a visual understanding.

Musical Sound, Instruments, and Equipment' offers a basic understanding of sound, musical instruments and music equipment, geared towards a general audience and non-science majors. The book begins with an introduction of the fundamental properties of sound waves, and the perception of the characteristics of sound. The relation between intensity and loudness, and the relation between frequency and pitch are discussed. The basics of propagation of sound waves, and the interaction of sound waves with objects and structures of various sizes are introduced. Standing waves, harmonics and resonance are explained in simple terms, using graphics that provide a visual understanding.

The Physics of Sound Waves: Music, Instruments, and Sound Equipment, Second Edition describes the properties of sound waves as they relate to the production of sound by musical instruments, the perception and interpretation of sound, fast Fourier transform analysis, recording and reproduction of musical sounds, and the quality of sound in both indoor and outdoor environments. Graphics and animations are used to explain sound production in strings, percussion and wind instruments, and this knowledge is applied to describe selected instruments. Each chapter has topics for further discussion and concludes with questions and problems. Solutions for all questions and problems as well as a mathematical description of waves are provided in the appendix. Key Features Provides the basic understanding of musical sounds and the nature of sound waves. Includes musical scales with examples from around the world. Discusses digital sounds and its relevance. The book provides many worked examples, and end of chapter problems with solutions in the appendix. Applicable equations are summarized at the end of each chapter.

This text has plans for 50 musical instruments, including over 100 drawings and photographs. It teaches the reader how to build their own musical instruments, using knowledge of a variety of diverse cultures from around the world. It includes instruments such as: oil drum gongs, thumb pianos, cowbells, tube drums and willow whistles. All necessary materials can either be purchased or found in nature or a junkyard.

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 acoustic measurements. This book describes the results of such acoustical investigations - fascinating intellectual and practical exercises. Addressed to readers with a reasonable grasp of physics who are not put off by a little mathematics, this book discusses most of the traditional instruments currently in use in Western music. A guide for all who have an interest in music and how it is produced, as well as serving as a comprehensive reference for those undertaking research in the field.

The Physics of Sound Waves: Music, Instruments, and Sound Equipment (Second Edition) describes the properties of sound waves as they relate to the production of sound by musical instruments, the perception and interpretation of sound, fast Fourier transform analysis, recording and reproduction of musical sounds, and the quality of sound in both indoor and outdoor environments. Graphics and animations are used to explain sound production in strings, percussion and wind instruments, and this knowledge is applied to describe selected instruments. Each chapter has topics for further discussion and concludes with questions and problems. Solutions for all questions and problems as well as a mathematical description of waves are provided in the appendix.

This textbook is a product of William Bennett’s work in developing and teaching a course on the physics of music at Yale University to a diverse audience of musicians and science students in the same class. The book is a culmination of over a decade of teaching the course and weaves together historical descriptions of the physical phenomena with the author’s clear interpretations of the most important aspects of the science of music and musical instruments. Many of the historical examples are not found in any other textbook available on the market. As the co-inventor of the Helium-Neon laser, Prof. Bennett’s knowledge of physics was world-class. As a professor at one of the most prestigious liberal-arts universities in the world, his appreciation for culture and humanities shines through. The book covers the basics of oscillations, waves and the analysis techniques necessary for understanding how musical instruments work. All types of stringed instruments, pipe organs, and the human voice are covered in this volume. A second volume covers the remaining families of musical instruments as well as selected other topics. Readers without a background in acoustics will enjoy learning the physics of the Science of Musical Sound from a preeminent scientist of the 20th century. Those well versed in acoustics will discover wonderful illustrations and photographs depicting familiar concepts in new and enlightening ways.