While the history of musical instruments is nearly as old as civilization 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 and remain beyond the reach of modern acoustic measurements. Indeed, for many musical instruments it is only within the past few years that musical acoustics has achieved even a reasonable understanding of the basic mechanisms determining the tone quality, and in some cases even major features of the sounding mechanism have only recently been unravelled. This book describes the results of such acoustical investigations-intellectual and practical exercises of great fascination. 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. This second edition has been thoroughly revised to take into account the insights arising from recent research, and to generalize or clarify the presentation in many places. The book should continue to serve as a guide for all who have an interest in music and how it is produces as well as serving as a comprehensive reference for those undertaking research in the field.

This book describes the results of acoustical investigations, addressing readers with a reasonable grasp of physics who are not put off by a little mathematics. The text discusses most of the traditional instruments currently in use in Western music.

While musical instruments are nearly as old as civilization itself, the science of acoustical research is quite recent. This book describes the results of such acoustical investigations, discussing most of the traditional instruments currently in use in Western music. This second edition has been thoroughly revised to take into account the insights arising from the most recent research in the field. 945 illus.

Part I: Vibrating Systems. Free and Forced Vibrations of Simple Systems. Continuous Systems in One Dimension: Strings and Bars. Two-Dimensional Systems: Membranes, Plates, and Shells. Coupled Vibrating Systems. Nonlinear Systems.- Part II: Sound Waves. Sound Waves in Air. Sound Radiation. Pipes, Horns, and Cavities.- Part III: String Instruments. Guitars and Lutes. Bowed String Instruments. Harps, Harpsicords, Clavicords, and Dulcimers. The Piano.- Part IV: Wind Instruments. Sound generation by Reed and Lip Vibrations. Lip-driven Brass Instruments. Woodwind Reed Instruments. Flutes and Flue Organ Pipes. Pipe Organs.- Part V: Percussion Instruments. Drums. Mallet Percussion Instruments. Cymbals, Gongs, Plates, and Steel Drums. Bells.- Part VI: Materials. Materials for Musical Instruments.- Name Index.- Subject Index.