Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics
By: Arthur H. Benade
Pub: Dover Publications, Inc., 1990
ISBN: 048626484X
$19.95, 596 pages
This is the one book on acoustics that every musician should own. The author deals with everything from simple vibrations of everyday items like frying pans, to bells, and on to modern musical instruments. It is remarkably clear and easily understood and there are over 300 illustrations. At the end of each chapter, there are examples, questions, and experiments that can be done. Also by Arthur Benade is the book, Horns, Strings, and Harmony.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horns, Strings, and Harmony
By: Arthur H. Benade
Pub: Dover Publications, Inc., 1992
ISBN: 0486273318
$11.95, 272 pages
This is an introduction to acoustics that, like Benade’s other book, is very clearly written. It is not quite as comprehensive as The Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics, but it has the advantage of focusing only on musical instruments. The author covers simple and complex vibrating systems, the ear’s reception of sound, and the sound making capabilities of each of the instruments. There is also a section on building a working Flute, Trumpet, and Clarinet.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the Sensation of Tone
By: Hermann von Helmholtz
Pub: Dover Publications, Inc., 1980
ISBN: 0486607534
$19.95, 576 pages
Helmholtz was the famous 19th century physicist who pioneered modern acoustical research. This embodies his lifetime of research and his vast knowledge of the field. He addresses various physical phenomena, the physiology of hearing, the relationship of musical phenomena to physics, and historical aspects of musical sound. There is also an appendix on the history of musical pitch.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music, Physics, and Engineering
By: Harry F. Olson
Pub: Dover Publications, Inc., 1987
ISBN: 0486217698
$14.95, 448 pages
This book is not strictly about the acoustics of musical instruments, but it is interesting nonetheless. Included in the book are sections on the nature of sound waves, musical instruments, musical notation, acoustic materials, and elements of sound reproduction, from telephones to stereos. It is written so anyone can understand and requires no special background in physics, math, or music.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science & Music
By: James Jeans
Pub: Dover Publications, Inc., 1987
ISBN: 0486619648
$10.95, 273 pages
Dr. Jeans, the noted British physicist, describes the scientific principles of musical sound in precise, yet non-technical, language. Topics include the development of human hearing, properties of sound curves, transmission and reproduction of sound curves, methods of producing sound, its quality, and harmony and discord.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music, Sound and Sensation: A Modern Exposition
By: Thomas Binkley
Pub: Dover Publications, Inc., 1995
ISBN: 0486217647
$7.95, 189 pages
This text covers the ways we perceive sound as loud or soft, the dissolution power of the ear, influence of the properties of the hall in which it is heard, time variation, sound spectrum, musical space, and other key topics.
| Home | Horns | Repairs | Modifications |
| Online Store | Extras | About Us | Contact Info |