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

Powell, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0316098310 ISBN 13: 9780316098311

Publisher: Little, Brown Spark, 2011

Synopsis

"Any readers whose love of music has somehow not led them to explore the technical side before will surely find the result a thoroughly accessible, and occasionally revelatory, primer."—Seattle Post-Intelligencer

What makes a musical note different from any other sound? How can you tell if you have perfect pitch? Why do ten violins sound only twice as loud as one? Do your Bob Dylan albums sound better on CD 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 and engaging voice, Powell leads you on a fascinating journey through the world of music, with lively discussions of the secrets behind harmony timbre, keys, chords, loudness, musical composition, and more. From how musical notes came to be (you can thank a group of stodgy men in 1939 London for that one), to how scales help you memorize songs, to how to make and oboe from a drinking straw, John Powell distills the science and psychology of music with wit and charm. 

About this title

About the Author

Scientist and musician John Powell holds a PhD in physics from Imperial College (London University) and a Master's degree in music from the university of Sheffield (UK). He is the author of How Music Works.

Edition details

• Publisher: Little, Brown Spark
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0316098310
• ISBN 13: 9780316098311
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272