On the Sensations of Tone (Dover Books on Music) [Paperback]

Hermann Helmholtz (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Books on Music | Publication Date: June 1, 1954

This masterly treatment of classical acoustics embodies the great physicist's lifetime of research and presents his vast knowledge of the field in an easy-to-follow account. Among the topics explored: physical phenomena, the physiology of hearing, the relation of musical phenomena to physics, and historical aspects of musical sound. Includes 68 figures.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; 2nd edition edition (June 1, 1954)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486607534
• ISBN-13: 978-0486607535
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #318,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An undisputed classic in the science of hearing and music, April 22, 1999

By 

[e-mail] Patrick McDonald (Berlin, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Sensations of Tone (Dover Books on Music) (Paperback)

Helmholtz's Sensations of Tone became an almost instant classic in the study of hearing when it was published in 1863. It combined the physics, physiology and psychological aspects of hearing in an attempt to explain the origins of musical harmony and dissonance. Though not easy reading, it is accessible to the non-specialist. However it also provides an important historical resource for the specialist and helps one to understand the origins of so much of contemporary hearing research. Indeed, in many ways Helmholtz reads more like a contemporary than a long-past founding father. The appendices provided by the translator are helpful as well. Finally, the inexpensive paperback edition from Dover makes this book an excellent bargain.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, but very old; read Jeans instead (or something modern), April 4, 2006

By 

J Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Sensations of Tone (Dover Books on Music) (Paperback)

This book is of historical interest only, I think; it's very well written, but a lot of its content is mind bogglingly outdated, ancient. If you need a readable quick intro into sound, read Jeans's book (the first part of it is updated Helmholtz). Then, if you still need to (as in "know specifically what I'm after and it can be found only in Helmholtz"), you can pick this book; but otherwise, resorting to modern literature will be a much better investment of your time.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I concur., March 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: On the Sensations of Tone (Dover Books on Music) (Paperback)

This is worthwhile for the reasons already cited (so I need not rehearse them), but it is important to recognize that much of it has been superceded or disproved. I hope those prospective purchasers who have found their way here are aware of Juan Roederer's THE PHYSICS AND PSYCHOPHISICS OF MUSIC--very much recommended!