Acoustics and the Performance of Music

This reference fully explores the particulars of the sounds made by all standard instruments in a modern orchestra as well as the human voice. It discusses how acoustics vary in different rooms and offers recommendations for adjustment.

This classic reference on musical acoustics and performance practice begins with a brief introduction to the fundamentals of acoustics and the generation of musical sounds. It then discusses the particulars of the sounds made by all the standard instruments in a modern orchestra as well as the human voice, the way in which the sounds made by these instruments are dispersed and how the room into which they are projected affects the sounds.

Universally understandable representations of acoustic processes in musical performances Broad representations of directional characteristics of musical instruments and the singing voice Interpretation of room acoustical conditions, with recommendations for adjustments by musicians (e.g. seating arrangement and performance technique) Representation of directional dependence of masking effects occurring at the ear of musicians while performing their own instruments Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Honors:

Helmholtz-Medal of the German Acoustical Society (DEGA) 2004
Medal of Honor of Verband Deutscher Tonmeister (VDT) 2004
Fellow of the ASA

Klappentext

Acoustics and the Performance of Music connects scientific understandings of acoustics with practical applications to musical performance. Of central importance are the tonal characteristics of musical instruments and the singing voice including detailed representations of directional characteristics. Furthermore, room acoustical concerns related to concert halls and opera houses are considered. Based on this, suggestions are made for musical performance. Included are seating arrangements within the orchestra and adaptations of performance techniques to the performance environment. In the presentation we dispense with complicated mathematical connections and deliberately aim for conceptual explanations accessible to musicians, particularly for conductors. The graphical representations of the directional dependence of sound radiation by musical instruments and the singing voice are unique. Since the first edition was published in 1978, this book has been completely revised and rewritten to include current research. This translation corresponds to the latest (fifth) German edition (2004), which has become a standard reference work for audio engineers and scientists.

Acoustics and the Performance of Music addresses issues that are of interest to acousticians, orchestra performers and conductors, audio engineers, architects. Researchers and students of musical acoustics will also find this text valuable.

Inhalt
to Acoustics.- Structure of Musical Sound.- Tonal Characteristics of Musical Instruments.- Directional Characteristics.- Foundations of Room Acoustics.- Acoustical Properties of Old and New Performance Spaces.- Seating Arrangement in the Concert Hall.- Acoustic Considerations for Instrumentation and Playing Technique.- Acoustical Problems in the Opera House.