Pascal Programming for Music Research [Hardcover]

Alexander R. Brinkman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 26, 1990 | ISBN-10: 0226075079 | ISBN-13: 978-0226075075 | Edition: 1

Pascal Programming for Music Research addresses those who wish to develop the programming skills necessary for doing computer-assisted music research, particularly in the fields of music theory and musicology. Many of the programming techniques are also applicable to computer assisted instruction (CAI), composition, and music synthesis. The programs and techniques can be implemented on personal computers or larger computer systems using standard Pascal compilers and will be valuable to anyone in the humanities creating data bases.

Among its useful features are:
-complete programs, from simple illustrations to substantial applications;
-beginning programming through such advanced topics as linked data structures, recursive algorithms, DARMS translation, score processing;
-bibliographic references at the end of each chapter to pertinent sources in music theory, computer science, and computer applications in music;
-exercises which explore and extend topics discussed in the text;
-appendices which include a DARMS translator and a library of procedures for building and manipulating a linked representation of scores;
-most algorithms and techniques that are given in Pascal programming translate easily to other computer languages.

Beginning, as well as advanced, programmers and anyone interested in programming music applications will find this book to be an invaluable resource.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alexander R. Brinkman is associate professor of music theory at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester. He has taught computer programming for music research since 1973.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 986 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (June 26, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226075079
• ISBN-13: 978-0226075075
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.5 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,334,131 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In need of a make-over, but valuable nonetheless, June 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pascal Programming for Music Research (Hardcover)

In computer-time, Alexander Brinkman's book (released in 1989) is of ancient vintage, but--like so many carefully, lovingly-crafted draughts--it has aged well.

PPFMR is missing a few necessary modern accoutrements, most notably ANY reference to object-oriented design and techniques, and it's long overdue for an overhaul in this regard. Nonetheless, it still serves (as it did to this author some 12 years ago--BEFORE it was hot off the presses, as I sat in Dr. Brinkman's class as a lucky guinea pig for this material) as a fine introduction to the basics of the Pascal language and to computer programming in general. The author's understanding of his subject is immense, his exposition thorough and clear, and his enthusiasm refreshing.

Downside: If you are not a musician, with a high-level grasp of music theory, this book is NOT for you.

Upside: not yet ANOTHER "multi-tiered business object" cookie-cutter computer book clone.

Buy it, already!