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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > How Music Works
How Music Works
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garry
374 posts
Mar 18, 2013
8:26 PM
I recently stumbled across a really great book called
How Music Works, by John Powell. I found it at the library, but after a few chapters I ordered my own copy. This is one I want to have around.

The book starts with the production of sound, then moves on to cover how instruments work, why we have scales, why some sounds sound good together and others don't, why minor scales sound "sad", why you need 10x the power to make an amp sound louder, etc. I found myself repeatedly having "a hah!" moments, as many of the questions i've had were anticipated and answered.

Powell is a musician and a physicist, and teaches physics and musical acoustics. He manages to explain a lot of pretty geeky stuff in plain understandable language and simple examples. As someone in a highly technical field, I'm always impressed by someone who can who do that. His style is humourous and easygoing, not dry at all. Even the cornball humor began to grow on me after a while.

He kinda runs out of steam a little towards the end, which is too bad, but the book is well worth reading. It really changed how I look at things, and now when i read here about scales and harmony and resonance i understand them at a much deeper level.

Highly recommended.


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FMWoodeye
601 posts
Mar 18, 2013
9:35 PM
Thanks for the tip, Garry.
bublnsqueak
5 posts
Mar 18, 2013
10:06 PM
I came to music later in life. Struggled with the theory.

This book was a game changer for me.

Paul
Rgsccr
153 posts
Mar 18, 2013
11:25 PM
Thanks for the heads up Garry. Got a copy on Amazon for $10 including shipping.
geordiebluesman
706 posts
Mar 19, 2013
1:37 AM
Right I'm ordering a copy now, thanks for the heads up.
STME58
391 posts
Mar 19, 2013
8:48 AM
I just ordered the book for my nook and perused it a bit.
I like the definition of intervals with the example song to help you get the interval in your head.

Can't wait to have more time to read it.
Greg Heumann
2069 posts
Mar 19, 2013
9:09 AM
Thanks for the tip. I ordered one. At 8 bucks how can you lose?
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JInx
420 posts
Mar 19, 2013
9:58 AM
Can you tell us a bit of the "why minor scales sound sad? I'fe never been able to find a really solid explanation for it.
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garry
376 posts
Mar 19, 2013
2:56 PM
no, i don't think i can, because the explanation builds on a lot of other stuff. that's one of the things i like about the book.

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messy ventura
61 posts
Mar 19, 2013
8:44 PM
Damn. Amazon just makes buying stuff too convieniently easy to buy........... proceeding to checkout now.
Goldbrick
109 posts
Mar 19, 2013
9:22 PM
I bought one also-looks like a good approach to the subject


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