The physics and psychophysics of music: an introduction

Juan G. Roederer (auth.)9780387094700, 0387094709

This book, a classic in its field, deals with the physical systems and physiological processes that intervene in music. It analyzes what objective, physical properties of sound are associated with what subjective psychological sensations of music, and it describes how these sound patterns are actually generated in musical instruments, how they propagate through the environment, and how they are detected by the ear and interpreted in the brain. Using the precise language of science, but without complicated mathematics, the author weaves a close mesh of the physics, psychophysics and neurobiology relevant to music. A prior knowledge of physics, mathematics, neurobiology or psychology is not required to understand most of the book; it is, however, assumed that the reader is familiar with music – in particular, with musical notation, musical scales and intervals, and some of the basics of musical instruments. This new edition presents substantially updated coverage of psychoacoustics, including:

• New results from tomographic imaging of brain function that confirm some speculations in previous editions

• New research on consciousness and emotions

• The possibility of musics in extraterrestrial civilizations

Table of contents :
Front Matter….Pages i-xiii
The Science of Music and the Music of Science: A Multidisciplinary Overview….Pages 1-21
Sound Vibrations, Pure Tones, and the Perception of Pitch….Pages 22-75
Sound Waves, Acoustic Energy, and the Perception of Loudness….Pages 76-112
Generation of Musical Sounds, Complex Tones, and the Perception of Timbre….Pages 113-166
Superposition and Successions of Complex Tones and the Integral Perception of Music….Pages 167-198
Back Matter….Pages 199-228