Summary
How does music work? Indeed, what is (or isn’t) music? We are all instinctively musical, but why? Adam Ockelford has the answers.
A tap of the foot, a rush of emotion, the urge to hum a tune; without instruction or training we all respond intuitively to music. Comparing Notes explores what music is, why all of us are musical, and how abstract patterns of sound that might not appear to mean anything can, in fact, be so meaningful.
Taking the reader on a clear and compelling tour of major twentieth century musical theories, Professor Adam Ockelford arrives at his own important psychologically grounded theory of how music works. From pitch and rhythm to dynamics and timbre, he shows how all the elements of music cohere through the principle of imitation to create an abstract narrative in sound that we instinctively grasp, whether listening to Bach or the Beatles.
Authoritative, engaging, and full of wonderful examples from across the musical spectrum, Comparing Notes is essential reading for anyone who’s ever loved a song, sonata, or symphony, and wondered why.
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781681777443 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1681777444 |
| Author: | Adam Ockelford |
| Publisher: | Pegasus Books |
| Imprint: | Pegasus Books |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 332 |
| Release Date: | 1 May 2018 |
| Weight: | 524g |
| Dimensions: | 33mm x 152mm x 229mm |
You Can Find This Book In
Critics Review
“A perceptive chronicle of [Ockelford’s] experiences withextraordinary music makers.”
“A perceptive chronicle of [Ockelford’s] experiences with extraordinary music makers.” * Nature *
“Demystifies an art form, and offers unexpected insights into our pre-verbal past. Ockelford extracts the core ideas from music theory.” * New Scientist *
“There is much to learn from this book. Heartening.” * The Daily Telegraph *
Adam Ockelford
Adam Ockelford is Professor of Music at Roehampton University, where he directs the Applied Music Research Centre. Heis the author of In the Key of Genius, a biography of the musical savant Derek Paravicini. A regular on British radio and television, Ockelford’s TED Talk with Paravicini has been viewed over one million times and has been translated into twenty-five languages. A composer and pianist, he lives in London.
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.