Physics and Music: The Science of Musical Sound

This foundational text is written for students who want to go beyond the perceptual stage of music to learn how musical sound is created and perceived. It surveys a wide range of topics related to acoustics, beginning with a brief history of the art and science of music. Succeeding chapters explore the general principles of sound, musical scales, the primary ways in which sound can be generated, the characteristics of instruments, the use of mechanical and electronic recording devices, hi-fi stereophonic and quadraphonic sound, the design of electronic musical instruments, and architectural acoustics.
Comprehensive yet accessible, Physics and Music includes over 300 diagrams, photographs, and tables. Each chapter concludes with questions, problems, and projects, in addition to references for further study.
Dover (2014) republication of the edition originally published by Saunders College/Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Philadelphia, 1980.
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Harvey Elliott White (1902–88) was Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he taught for nearly 40 years. A distinguished physicist, he is the author of numerous books, including classic texts on atomic spectroscopy and optics.
Donald E. White received his BA from the University of California, Berkeley, and his PhD from Cornell University. He was Professor Emeritus at Oregon College of Education, where he taught for nearly 25 years.