Buy new:
$60.49
FREE delivery Saturday, May 4
Ships from: Amazon
Sold by: itemspopularsonlineaindemand
List Price: $119.99 Details

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Save: $59.50 (50%)
FREE Returns
FREE delivery Saturday, May 4. Order within 7 hrs 13 mins
Only 17 left in stock - order soon.
$$60.49 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$60.49
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon
Ships from
Amazon
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
FREE delivery Saturday, May 4
Or fastest delivery Friday, May 3. Order within 7 hrs 13 mins
Used: Acceptable | Details
Sold by The BAP Goods
Fulfilled by Amazon
Condition: Used: Acceptable
Comment: The item is fairly worn but still readable. The book may have some cosmetic wear like creased spine, cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, sunburn, stains, water damage, bent, torn, damaged binding, dent. The dust jacket if present, may be marked, and have considerable heavy wear. The book might be ex-library copy, and may have the markings and stickers associated from the library - The book may have considerable highlights, notes, underlined pages but the text is legible

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime.

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program.

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Neville H. Fletcher
Follow
Thomas D Rossing
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Physics of Musical Instruments 2nd Edition

by Neville H. Fletcher (Author), Thomas D. Rossing (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 28 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$60.49","priceAmount":60.49,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"60","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"49","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"LLpXCOyq3wF28QZow8c8epm47pCceJTkHkBWYzgrnsWpJymWLjQtOyPfxHDO%2FgR8zvfOU44i1xFsIAX5lZMsq2HZ1%2B5Mof9BhsIdt46QhSIjEncligVN7mdDEkc6JwoP5rnTAbSlRTqBGFAcJ74ftRqtzyKmyH4tYUQgQYJKNW%2FLHEeaKu3uWY2cDWAa3lH3","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$54.90","priceAmount":54.90,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"54","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"90","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"LLpXCOyq3wF28QZow8c8epm47pCceJTkfqbvJIKp0CDSC0wNtmsT4hGjO4M%2BkwNaqe%2F%2FmKlUXtIIS4SQM4Mnamnd5u7J%2BQg%2BYyTckEDorFI57ZM%2BSipT1iOJCa4uy%2FonN2U01gt%2FNQSP9UdEn%2FVZmY5GwuFbdjIo%2FXS33g9fXkCtHTy0mGg15SRy%2BFuwAg5z","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

When we wrote the first edition of this book, we directed our presenta­ tion to the reader with a compelling interest in musical instruments who has "a reasonable grasp of physics and who is not frightened by a little mathematics." We are delighted to find how many such people there are. The opportunity afforded by the preparation of this second edition has allowed us to bring our discussion up to date by including those new insights that have arisen from the work of many dedicated researchers over the past decade. We have also taken the opportunity to revise our presentation of some aspects of the subject to make it more general and, we hope, more immediately accessible. We have, of course, corrected any errors that have come to our attention, and we express our thanks to those friends who pointed out such defects in the early printings of the first edition. We hope that this book will continue to serve as a guide, both to those undertaking research in the field and to those who simply have a deep interest in the subject. June 1991 N.H.F and T.D.R.
Previous page
  1. ISBN-10
    0387983740
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0387983745
  3. Edition
    2nd
  4. Publisher
    Springer
  5. Publication date
    June 19, 1998
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    6.75 x 1.75 x 9.75 inches
  8. Print length
    776 pages
  9. See all details
Next page
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Frequently bought together

The Physics of Musical Instruments
$60.49
Get it as soon as Saturday, May 4
Only 17 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by itemspopularsonlineaindemand and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
+
Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics: Second, Revised Edition (Dover Books On Music: Acoustics)
$25.44
Get it as soon as Saturday, May 4
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
One of these items ships sooner than the other.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Essentially everything you have ever wanted to know about the physics of musical instruments" PHYSICS TODAY
"a rigor, graphical detail, and verbal description." AUDIO

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Springer; 2nd edition (June 19, 1998)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 776 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0387983740
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0387983745
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.13 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 1.75 x 9.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 28 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Neville H. Fletcher

    Neville H. Fletcher

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
  2. Thomas D Rossing

    Thomas D Rossing

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
28 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

calvinnme
5.0 out of 5 stars Hard-core book on the physics of musical instruments
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2006
Verified Purchase
This is a one-of-a-kind book on the physics of musical instruments. However, be aware that it is a book about physics ONLY. There are no hints or exercises on how to model musical instruments, nothing on acoustics or psychoacoustics, synthesis, etc. In other words, do not expect an expanded version of Perry Cook's book "Real Sound Synthesis for Interactive Applications". If you can deal with these expectations, then this is a worthwhile read for those interested in the pure physics of musical instruments who are willing to do the work of implementing the synthesis themselves, if that is the reader's ultimate goal. The first eight chapters of the book provide some pretty good background material on vibrating systems and sound waves that should be read sequentially. However, from chapter 9 through 21 the author just presents the physics of each instrument with no real organization by chapter, unless you count the fact that the physics of the instruments are presented in groups organized as either percussion, wind, or stringed instruments. There is a final chapter on materials and their properties that doesn't really fit in with previous chapters. Each chapter has an extensive bibliography. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the physics of musical instruments and has the necessary mathematical maturity to handle the material. The reader who has taken a year of college physics with maybe a specific class on acoustics and who also is comfortable with calculus and both partial and ordinary differential equations would be best qualified to make the most of the information in this book. Having had a course in the EE topic of Signals and Systems wouldn't hurt either when it comes to the discussions of frequency analysis and response.
The books that helped me get through the math and physics of this volume were Kinsler's "Fundamentals of Acoustics", "Introduction to Partial Differential Equations with Applications" by Zachmanoglou, and finally, an out-of-print work: "Schaum's Outline of Acoustics" by Seto, ISBN 0070563284.
38 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Dave in Painted Post
5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and Well Written
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2013
Verified Purchase
I have not read the book beginning to end simply because it is quite a tome. However, I have studied those areas that I have some interest and ability in. The book is concisely written with just enough mathematics to make the qualitative discussion understandable...and the qualitative discussions are quite concise and understandable. It provides detailed references for all of the assertions. I find it an excellent reference and am happy to have it in my library.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jacob Bortnik
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2011
Verified Purchase
This is a fantastic book that serves as an introduction to the physics of musical instruments, and a great reference for those who are practicing in the field. The authors use math where needed, but it is not overwhelming and should be easily readable by students with a basic level of calculus.
Helpful
 Report
Eugene
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2016
Verified Purchase
A good introductory book for musical instrument builders. Presents basic concepts and pointers.
Helpful
 Report
Older Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars Birthday present requested for my physicist husband, who tells ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2017
Verified Purchase
Birthday present requested for my physicist husband, who tells me the book he borrowed from a friend is one he absolutely needs.
Helpful
 Report
Hung T.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2016
Verified Purchase
Excellent!
Helpful
 Report
Edward A. Fagen
5.0 out of 5 stars The best reference work under this title.
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2005
This is the long-awaited second edition of Fletcher & Rossing. Note first that it really is a reference work, not a teaching text. There is no lesson plan, no problems, no solutions manual, no accompanying workbook Except for the first two foundation sections on vibrating systems and sound waves, there is no ongoing development. Nothing builds. It's just one topic piled on another.

But the great merit of reference works is that you can cherry-pick, i.e. seek information on isolated topics with little concern for what preceded them. As a reference work, F&R get the highest possible marks from me. They are clearly the masters of this field, not least because of their numerous important contributions to it. With the possible exception of the works of Arthur Benade, they own the business.

Despite its enormous size and great depth of coverage, however, it is not an encyclopedic study of musical instruments. It is exactly what the title says: a work on the PHYSICS of musical instruments. A rigid boundary has been drawn between physics and every other aspect of music-making. In particular, psychoacoustics is totally ignored. There are no entries in the index under loudness, Fletcher-Munson, combination tones, false bass, consonance, dissonance, etc. Even equal temperament tuning gets little more than one page out of 756.

The Preface says the work is addressed to "the reader...who is not frightened by a little mathematics." Well, some of the math is "little" but some of it is not. See for example the use of Green's functions to find the air load on a vibrating membrane, pp. 588-590. Perhaps at MIT, where incoming freshman are sorted out by the do-or-die killer course in mathematical physics from Morse & Feshbach, these methods are taught to undergrads, but not at most other schools. Almost everywhere else this would be considered first-year graduate material. These pages would not only frighten the average reader; they frighten me. I always hated Green's functions and considered it part of my mission in life to prune them away wherever they grew.

There are a few typos, mislabeled equations and the like. The next-to-last sentence of text on p. 232 says, "This is an adquate approximation provided the sound wavelength is small compared to the transverse dimensions of the ducts and cavities involved." Surely "small" should read "large."

In sum, not for beginners, and probably not for most musicians either. But within its compass it reigns supreme. There is no better book in this field.
38 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
John Doe
2.0 out of 5 stars Bad Glue Binding
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
I've had this book for two weeks and already pages are falling out of it with *zero* glue even stuck to the edge of the pages. Looking along the binding edge, there is a 'slotted' pattern, indicating one in every five or so pages doesn't reach the glue binding. So yeah, pretty soon I'm just going to have a disheveled stack of papers instead of a book.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Gilles Joubert
5.0 out of 5 stars ok
Reviewed in France on September 8, 2018
Verified Purchase
Ok
Report
Andrea
5.0 out of 5 stars Libro fantástico y en perfectas condiciones
Reviewed in Spain on July 20, 2018
Verified Purchase
El libro vino y está genial, en perfecto estado. Estoy muy contenta con la compra, lo recomiendo, vale la pena.
Report
Hugo
5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on the subject that I have found.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2013
Verified Purchase
Unlike a lot of books on the physics behind musical instruments, this one actually has a decent amount of maths. It seems quite thorough and discusses a wide range of phenomena and instruments.

I thoroughly recommend the book, but if I had to point out a weakness, it was written before computers became powerful and widespread, and it was written for someone who would not likely have had access to one. The field has probably changed a lot since then because of this.
One person found this helpful
 Report