| ACAT1003
|
Physics and Psychophysics of Music |
|
A one-hour lecture
and a one-hour tutorial each week in Semester 1. |
| Prerequisites |
None. |
| Aim |
To gain an
understanding of basic theories of acoustics and psychoacoustics as
they apply to music. |
| Content |
Acoustic
principles and their application to sound synthesis and to acoustic and
electroacoustic musical instruments:
–units;
–pressure fronts and loudness;
–harmonic motion;
–damped and forced oscillations; -transmission of sound through
various mediums;
–superimposition of waves and perception of same;
–timbre;
–ear physiology;
–an introduction to the psychoacoustics of pitch, loudness and
timbre;
–combination tones and the non-linearity of perception;
–consonance and dissonance;
–tuning and temperament;
–musical scales and modes. |
| Assessment |
Assignments-30%.
Examination-70%. |
| Texts |
To be advised. |
| References |
Olsen, H.E, Music, Physics and Engineering,
Dover, 1967.
Pierce, J.R., The Science of Musical
Sound, Scientific American Library, 1983, distr. WH.
Freeman & Co.
Rigden, J.S., Physics and the Sound
of Music, Wiley, 1977.
Roederer, J.G., Introduction to the
Physics and Psychophysics of Music, The English Universities
Press, 1973.
Helmholtz, H.L.E, On the Sensation
of Tone, Dover, 1954.
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