Science and Music (Dover Books on Music: Acoustics) Paperback – Illustrated, 1 Jan. 1969

Sir James Jeans displays his consistently high standard of lucidity. This is an exceptional and gifted account which manages to explain the whole range of relevant topics - from the fundamental basics of sound and harmony to the workings of the ear and room acoustics with astonishing simplicity and clarity. He never condescends and he often amuses. But however complex the topic, Jeans always makes it relatively easy to understand with apt examples, metaphors, and diagrams. If you really want to understand, for example, the physical basis of harmony; or the factors that affect piano and other instrumental sound; or the contributions to our experience of music made by room acoustics and the sound physics of the ear, read this book.

I met Lady Susie Jeans in Skipton once. My friend introduced me to her. We had gone to Skipton in my friend huge 1929 Rolls Royce 20HP to pick up a Broadwood Square Piano. I think really I purchased this book to feel closer to Sir James and Lady Susie Jeans. There ends my epiphany. Do purchase

Book as described, good value

Rather unfriendly presentation and text heavy.

Finding this book was like finding a rare gem. Suitable for anyone with a strong interest in the science behind music. It is advantageous (though not imperitive) for readers of this book to have a basic knowledge of maths and/or science, otherwise some may find it daunting.

good thanks

Great thanks

If you're a technical dummy like me, but what to understand some of the basic concepts behind how music, in particular soundwaves, are created work and behave... this is a great book. - - The author seems genuinely sincere in wanting to convey the concepts behind the science of sound to the everyday people and makes no attempt to intimidate of show off. - - No, after reading the book you won't be an expert acoustic engineer, but you might want to take further steps to become one... Topics start with the human ear, how sound waves are made/what they are -- the book explains frequency, harmonics, disonance, tuning systems, how scales and chords are put together to get these waves to behave the way we want them (and what happens when they don't) and then takes a look at a wide variety of instruments - - what factors control the sound in a room and lot's more. - - The author's ability to give simple examples that are very eas to visualize is a strong point of the book. - - If you are looking for something very mathematical and that assumes that you're a physics whiz, the book might not be so interesting, however, if you're a musician, there's a lot of insight to be gained by reading the book... and to boot... its very concise and has a great flow. In conclusion: even as a music teacher I would suggest my students to give this a read - - and the abstract realm of "music theory" will suddenly begin to make sense as get to wittness the source from where it comes from and realize that all it is is a bunch of logical conclusions which you'll be able to reach too after finishing the book.

This book covers the basics of what sound is, how we here it, and how this is relevant to music. In some ways, this is a great summary of Helmholtz's fantastic work (from 1862), but *much* easier to read, and has the advantage of another 70+ years of research (Science and Music was originally published in 1937).

This is a great read for starting to understand the physics and mathematics behind sound and music.

This book is an adequate introduction to the physics of music and would benefit those wanting to know some of the fundamentals of what is actually quite a complicated subject. Those fundamentals have of course not changed since the book was written, but I would suggest that the serious reader in this area, one desiring to understand some of the details of musical phenomena right up to current electronic keyboard devices, should obtain a copy of the several more-recently-written texts. Sir James is well-respected for his popularization of a number of scientific subjects, but he was not particularly an expert at acoustics, so his name alone should have little to do with being a reason for purchase of this book.

Every student of physics and every serious musician should read this book. Having read many books on the "physics of music" this is by far the best i have ever read. Sir James Jeans offers incredible insight even approximately 70 years after is was written.