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How Music Works: The Science and Psychology of Beautiful Sounds, from Beethoven to the Beatles and Beyond Hardcover – November 3, 2010

4.5 out of 5 stars 513 ratings

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"Any readers whose love of music has somehow not led them to explore the technical side before will surely find the result a thoroughly accessible, and occasionally revelatory, primer."—Seattle Post-Intelligencer

What makes a musical note different from any other sound? How can you tell if you have perfect pitch? Why do ten violins sound only twice as loud as one? Do your Bob Dylan albums sound better on CD vinyl? John Powell, a scientist and musician, answers these questions and many more in
How Music Works, an intriguing and original guide to acoustics. 

In a clear and engaging voice, Powell leads you on a fascinating journey through the world of music, with lively discussions of the secrets behind harmony timbre, keys, chords, loudness, musical composition, and more. From how musical notes came to be (you can thank a group of stodgy men in 1939 London for that one), to how scales help you memorize songs, to how to make and oboe from a drinking straw, John Powell distills the science and psychology of music with wit and charm. 

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"By reading Powell's book we can gain a more solid knowledge of the foundations of music and therefore be better able to appreciate it."―Amanda Mark, New York Journal of Books

"Any readers whose love of music has somehow not led them to explore the technical side before will surely find the result a thoroughly accessible, and occasionally revelatory, primer."―
James Walton, The Spectator

"In this distinctive combination of scientific treatise and laugh-out-loud commentary, composer and physicist Powell...has carved out an intriguing niche by using humor to enliven what could have been an otherwise dry introduction to acoustics...readers ... should glean some useful background for music study while simultaneously being entertained."―
Barry Zaslow, Library Journal

About the Author

Scientist and musician John Powell holds a PhD in physics from Imperial College (London University) and a Master's degree in music from the university of Sheffield (UK). He is the author of How Music Works.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 3, 2010
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316098302
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316098304
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #1,903,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 513 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
513 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book informative and easy to comprehend, providing great insight into music fundamentals. Moreover, the writing style is genial, with one customer noting how the author uses non-music everyday reference points in diagrams. Additionally, customers appreciate the book's humor, entertainment value, and value for money.

40 customers mention "Explanation quality"39 positive1 negative

Customers find the book's explanations knowledgeable and informative, with one customer noting it provides a nice foundation for deeper technical reading.

"...author expertly explained some quite complex aspects of music in an informative and consistantly entertaining way, I loved this book and I finished..." Read more

"In my opinion, the best explanation of the subject there could be...." Read more

"A truly remarkable book with many insights and lots of humor. I can truly recommend the book to anybody wanting to study this subject objectively." Read more

"OMG!!!! Such wonderful information.....so much research went into this book!" Read more

19 customers mention "Ease of understanding"18 positive1 negative

Customers find the book easy to comprehend and very readable, with one customer noting it provides a clear introduction to the language of music.

"Clear, entertaining answers to questions I have always wondered about such as: why those notes and not others in the familiar classical music scales?..." Read more

"This is as clear and entertaining an account of music fundamentals as I've read. I learned a lot, and I've been involved with music for a long time...." Read more

"...I like too that Powell uses easy to understand examples about music accompanied by photos and diagrams using non-music every day reference points..." Read more

"...It is very easy to comprehend and really brings the whole subject into perspective and makes these, seemingly esoteric subjects VERY accessible...." Read more

18 customers mention "Music introduction"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's introduction to music fundamentals, with one customer highlighting its use of everyday reference points for clarity.

"Great explanation of how music works. Examples are simple but very informative. A basic understanding of music and physics helps but isn't required." Read more

"This is as clear and entertaining an account of music fundamentals as I've read. I learned a lot, and I've been involved with music for a long time...." Read more

"This book goes over many aspects of music that I haven’t thought about directly, such as how certain instruments produce their sounds, how we hear..." Read more

"Good, deep yet accessible overview of the intersection of musical theory and human perception. Great examples too! Highly recommended for sure." Read more

17 customers mention "Humor"14 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, with one mentioning that the commentary throughout is really amusing.

"...in "how music works." Mr. Powell presents in a clear and humorous book an explanation of just about everything you could imagine concerning..." Read more

"...And Mr. Powell's witty prose never allow it to be boring, even when he's discussing "fiddly details"." Read more

"...John Powell writes with a witty style and uses historical references to allow the reader to appreciate how music evolved over the centuries...." Read more

"A truly remarkable book with many insights and lots of humor. I can truly recommend the book to anybody wanting to study this subject objectively." Read more

13 customers mention "Entertainment value"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and very interesting to read.

"This book is wonderful. It is enjoyable to read and you'll learn something whether you know nothing about music or have a degree in music...." Read more

"...It's really descriptive and very in depth. It keeps your attention, and is very educational. I love it, and it's great book." Read more

"...I found his discussion on the harp and the glockenspiel very entertaining and enlightening...." Read more

"...who started singing in a Church choir, I found this book to be interesting and informative...." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as genial and clear, with one customer noting its use of great anecdotes.

"...It's written in a breezy, light style with humorous touches." Read more

"I enjoyed this book which was written well and.in an entertaining manor without overdoing it...." Read more

"...I learned a lot from the book, and enjoyed doing so. The style is very clear and simple, the organization is excellent, and the examples are well..." Read more

"...It's very well authored, the concepts are delivered in a very knowledgable and very approachable way...." Read more

4 customers mention "Language"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the language of the book, with one describing it as conversational and another noting it reads like a friend talking.

"...the concepts are delivered in a very knowledgable and very approachable way...." Read more

"Nice mix of theory and science. The author's style is conversational and easy to follow...." Read more

"...The author's style is readable and friendly, and the accompanying CD is at times helpful...." Read more

"...It reads fast, like a friend talking to you, and is full of Dave-Barry-style humor, from cover to cover...." Read more

4 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth the price.

"...found the book to be a good comprehensive intro to music and well worth my time to read." Read more

"...musician or a wanna-be musician like myself, will find this book worth the price and the time." Read more

"...Well worth the meager $10 investment. It would have been a good value at twice the price." Read more

"Great price!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book explains everything you might ever have wondered about music and what makes it music as opposed to mere sounds. The book requires no prior knowledge of music or music theory, or even how to read music, but it is probably only for those seriously interested in "how music works." Mr. Powell presents in a clear and humorous book an explanation of just about everything you could imagine concerning the topic of music and music perception. For example, he gives a brief history of the difficulty in designing musical instruments so that not only do they sound good but allow a transposition from key to key known as "well tempered." (think of Bach's "Well Tempered Clavier.") Powell also delves into the psychology of music and sound perception showing us for example, that humans don't perceive loudness linearly - the old Weber-Fechner Law from psycho-physics. Powell explains why some music sounds sad and some happy and always throughout the books he gives examples from popular to classical works. I loved this book and plan on using it as a supplement in one of my psychology courses on motivation but as I said at the beginning, I think you really should have a burning curiosity about the working of music to stick with the book even as well written as it is. But if you do love music and want to really learn more about it, this is a 5-star place to learn.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2012
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    As the title says, this is a book about how music works -- but about how it works in physical sense, not in an artistic or emotional sense. This took me aback, since I'd expected (having foolishly failed toread the write up or the reviews) something about sense and sensibility.

    But I am very glad I got the book, and read it. The author sets out to make the mechanics of music clear even to readers with no musical education. I am just such a one, and the book does indeed make a lot of things very clear, starting with what makes a sound musical. It proceeds through pitch and frequency, tonality, intervals and scales, keys, modes, and on and on.

    I learned a lot from the book, and enjoyed doing so. The style is very clear and simple, the organization is excellent, and the examples are well chosen. Only time will tell whether or not having read the book enhances my appreciation of music, Meanwhile, I've learned a lot of stuff that is fun to know.

    My only question about this book is whether it might be TOO clear and simple for readers who already know a lot about music. I can"t judge that, but such readers might want to read reviews by their peers.
    10 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book was a godsend for me in my efforts to learn music theory as an older beginner. John Powell combines his credentials as a physicist with his deep understanding of music theory in a way perfect for me. I have several books that tell me the “what” about music theory, but this book goes on to explain the “why” music is the way it is, and how it evolved down through history. I believe it is essential for learning to understand the overall concepts holistically, and then work back to the details of how something works. Mr. Powell does an outstanding job of this, and with wit and humor all along the way. I first read this book in its entirety to learn the musical concepts presented, and then as a reference in going back over the chapters in closer reading (keyboard in hand), and my understanding growing by epiphany to epiphany. Mr. Powell took the mystery out of music theory and provided me with the knowledge to understand other authors’ music theory books. I’m still learning, and this book has taken me much farther down the road than I have ever been, and in a relatively short amount of time. I am eternally grateful to you Mr. Powell.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Disclaimer: I have not finished the book, I am taking my time to read it slowly to fully understand the great information provided. I also read parts aloud to my husband, who understands music theory quite a bit but is definitely learning from this book. I say this is a great book if you are new to music -- and I mean that you are new to playing music/instruments. Music is its own language, and this book is the beginning of how to understand the language. The author explains concepts using everyday language and both familiar and unique examples. I found his discussion on the harp and the glockenspiel very entertaining and enlightening. Plus the author has a "laugh out loud" sense of humor (yeah, I could have said LOL, but I like words...) Unless you have studied music theory for many years, I believe that anyone who is a musician or a wanna-be musician like myself, will find this book worth the price and the time.
    11 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • beau loots
    5.0 out of 5 stars Now I understand
    Reviewed in Australia on August 6, 2019
    It explains in simple concepts what music is without the obfuscation of jargon.
  • DrumTeacherAnon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book by a great writer...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2015
    I was going to buy this book after I stumbled across it on Amazon, but after I'd read some of the reviews here, I hesitated. The one thing that seemed to come across in the reviews was that the author's jokes and attempts to be funny got in the way of the science and understanding of music. But eventually I went ahead and bought the book.

    I have to say, the jokes are actually funny. Some of them made me laugh out loud! OK, one or two are a bit lame, but the majority of them are genuinely witty, self-deprecating and very amusing. John Powell would make a good script-writer. His writing style keeps the book rolling along nicely, and makes it appear as if the author is talking to the reader on the reader's level, rather than from lofty heights of academia.

    So... does the writing style get in the way of the science? No. Not at all. If anything it helps. And it gave me some really good laughs along the way.

    Some of the stuff in this book I already knew, and some of it was new. But even for the stuff I already knew, it was great to get a new angle on it and cement or improve my understanding of it. As for the new things, they were explained clearly and in a very understandable way. And in certain circumstances, I was surprised at how easy the understanding of these things was! One thing I was fascinated about was how EASY the maths for equal-temperament tuning was - I'd always been led to believe that it was absolutely fearsome and took mathematicians and musicians YEARS to work out. Turns out that not only was it easy, someone else had done it decades before and simply been ignored! Well, as they say, "you learn something new every day"!

    This is a great book - real "people science" stuff. Easy to understand, effectively presented and a great read - with some very funny lines to make you laugh as you gather in the information. I'm really grateful to John Powell for writing this book, and I look forward to some more of John's writing on music in the future. Perhaps the next thing he'd like to tackle is the reading of music. I for one would be first in line to read that book if it ever got written!

    Highly recommended.
  • Loja da Ópera
    5.0 out of 5 stars Leitura agradável
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 9, 2017
    Um livro introdutório sobre o funcionamento da música e a psicologia envolvida nela. Talvez muito introdutório para músicos ou profissionais que já estão familiarizados com teoria musical, mas é uma leitura para iniciantes bem agradável.
    Report
  • Francisco
    5.0 out of 5 stars ciencia detras de musica
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 27, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    es un buen libro para explicar la ciencia detras de la musica, pero no abarca la question musical desde el punto de vista de un musico, si lo que buscas es teoria musical, este libro no sera lo mas recomendable
  • Kindle-Kunde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ausgezeichnet
    Reviewed in Germany on July 12, 2011
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Dieses Buch von John Powell hat mir außergewöhnlich gut gefallen. Es wird beispielsweise sehr interessant und lehrreich beschrieben, wie die Töne verschiedener Musikinstrumente entstehen und warum verschiedene Instrumente so verschieden klingen. Andere Kapitel beschreiben z.B. warum eine Geige zwar einigermaßen laut ist, man aber in einem Konzert mit z.B. 20 Geigen nicht taub wird.
    Alle Beispiele können sehr gut nachvollzogen werden, wobei der Autor aus meiner Sicht genau die richtige Balance zwischen Genauigkeit, Verständlichkeit und Humor gefunden hat. Ich habe bei der Lektüre mehr über Musik gelernt als in vielen Jahren in der Schule. Dieses hat vermutlich auch damit zu tun, dass der Autor sowohl über eine musikalische als auch physikalische Ausbildung verfügt.
    Nachdem ich das Buch gelesen habe, höre ich mit wesentlich größerem Interesse als vorher auch klassische Musik, da ich jetzt meinen Hör-Fokus auch auf die unterschiedlichen Klangbilder der Instrumente lege.

    Ich habe die englische Originalausgabe gelesen. Das Buch wäre auch für Schulklassen eine ausgezeichnete Wahl, da dort musikalisches und gleichzeitig physikalisches Wissen vermittelt wird. Weiterhin trainiert man beim Lesen die englische Sprache. Da der Autor genau meinen Humor getroffen hat, habe ich außerdem bei der Lektüre so viel gelacht wie schon lange nicht mehr.

    Kurzum: Ich kann das Buch wärmstens empfehlen!