Musimathics: The Mathematical Foundations of Music

Mathematics can be as effortless as humming a tune, if you know thetune, writes Gareth Loy. In Musimathics, Loy teaches us the tune, providing afriendly and spirited tour of the mathematics of music–a commonsense, self-contained introduction for the nonspecialist reader. It is designed formusicians who find their art increasingly mediated by technology, and for anyone whois interested in the intersection of art and science.In this volume, Loy presentsthe materials of music (notes, intervals, and scales); the physical properties ofmusic (frequency, amplitude, duration, and timbre); the perception of music andsound (how we hear); and music composition. Musimathics is carefully structured sothat new topics depend strictly on topics already presented, carrying the readerprogressively from basic subjects to more advanced ones. Cross-references point torelated topics and an extensive glossary defines commonly used terms. The bookexplains the mathematics and physics of music for the reader whose mathematics maynot have gone beyond the early undergraduate level. Calling himself a composerseduced into mathematics, Loy provides answers to foundational questions about themathematics of music accessibly yet rigorously. The topics are all subjects thatcontemporary composers, musicians, and musical engineers have found to be important.The examples given are all practical problems in music and audio. The level ofscholarship and the pedagogical approach also make Musimathics ideal for classroomuse. Additional material can be found at a companion web site.