The Physics of Musical Instruments

by Neville H. Fletcher, Thomas D. Rossing

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.

Genres: Music, Science, Physics, Nonfiction

776 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 1991

About the author

Neville Horner Fletcher FAA FTSE AM (1930-2017) was an emeritus professor of the University of New England and a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University. He received his B.Sc. in Sydney in 1952, his M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard in 1955, and his D.Sc. in Sydney in 1973. He was also an adjunct professor at The University of New South Wales, visited the acoustics lab regularly, and collaborated with us on a number of projects.

Reviews

[Benjamín Segura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapon ingeniero muy bueno he basado la mitad de mi tfg en este libro.

[Ronald Lett · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a physics/mathematics major who also plays stringed instruments, this was a fasinating eye-opener to the complicated physics of real-world instruments, their construction, and tuning theory. Amazing amounts of information that you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

[Nikos Spa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Νομίζω είναι αδύνατο να βρεις κάποιο βιβλίο που να μην έχει δανειστεί όχι απλά μερικά στοιχεία, αλλά ολόκληρα γραφήματα, τύπους, ακόμα και κεφάλαια από αυτό. Είναι τελικά η βίβλος της ακουστικής των μουσικών οργάνων.

[Vishnu Darling]

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