Harmonograph: A Visual Guide to the Mathematics of Music (Wooden Books) (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

During the nineteenth century, a remarkable scientific instrument known as a harmonograph revealed the beautiful patterns found in music. Harmonograph is an introduction to the evolution of simple harmonic theory, from the discoveries of Pythagoras to diatonic tuning and equal temperament. Beautiful drawings show the octave as triangle, the fifth as pentagram; diagrams show the principles of harmonics, overtones, and the monochord. Anthony Ashton examines the phenomenon of resonance in Chladni patterns, describes how to build a harmonograph of your own, and provides tables of world tuning systems. This inspiring book will appeal to musicians, mathematicians, designers, and artists alike.

About the Author

Anthony Ashton is an economist and journalist.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Company (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802714099
• ISBN-13: 978-0802714091
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,970 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > Science > Experiments, Instruments & Measurement > Scientific Instruments
  #15 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Acoustics & Sound
  #28 in	Books > Science > Physics > Acoustics & Sound

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars hints of the mystical, April 25, 2004

By A Customer

This is an excellent little book on harmonics and sound, encompassing science and music. It is a much needed counter weight to the effervessence of other recent titles on temperament and harmonics. It is such a beautifully visual book, with graphic depictions of sound waves, you will simply want to look at the illustrations for hours. It hints at the mystical without falling off the edge into either New Age or Cultural Supremacy.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Fascinating, August 15, 2003

By	Jeffrey K. Tyzzer (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I discovered the the Wooden Books series less than a year ago through some serendipitous bookstore browsing, and soon purchased them all. Each volume is compact, well-written, beautifully illustrated, and most of all informative. I'm reading my copy of Harmonograph along with Stuart Isacoff's book Temperament (also recommended), and couldn't imagine a more perfect pairing of books. Being musically challenged, I rely on Harmonograph to make better sense of the intervals Isacoff discusses in his book, and it does so in a brilliant, unique way. You won't be disappointed in this little gem.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last I understand this stuff !, January 16, 2006

By	Mark Samuels (Scotland & New York) - See all my reviews

This is a great book - not only is it absolutely beautiful, but it actually does the job. After years of struggling with Pythagorean Commas and Syntonic Commas and all the other tricky little bits in music I was given a copy of Anthony Ashton's little book and the pieces finally fell into place. A simply delightful book with truly awesome images and clear concise mathematics. I have given copies to every musician friend I have and they all love it too. Well done Wooden Books - clarity, brevity and beauty combined. More please.