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GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: How Music Works by John Powell

November 4, 2010 By Mary 29 Comments

Description

What makes a musical note different from any other sound? How can you tell if you have perfect pitch? Why do 10 violins sound only twice as loud as one? Do your Bob Dylan albums sound better on CD or 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, accessible, and engaging voice, Powell fascinates the reader with his delightful descriptions of the science and psychology lurking beneath the surface of music. With lively discussions of the secrets behind harmony, timbre, keys, chords, loudness, musical composition, and more, HOW MUSIC WORKS will be treasured by music lovers everywhere. The book also includes a CD of examples and exercises from the book.

About the Author

John Powell holds a PhD in physics from Imperial College at London University. He has taught physics at the University of Nottingham and the University of Lulea in Sweden. In 2003, he earned a master’s degree in music composition from the University of Sheffield in Great Britain.

 Details

  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (November 3, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0316098302
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316098304

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

 MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

This book is so appealing on so many different levels.  A lot of times, any book that deals with technical subjects become dry and boring.  How Music Works is easy to read and very enjoyable.  There is so much wonderful snarky, English humor that you don’t even realize you are learning something.  Even if you are a casual fan of music, you will find some eye opening facts in here, such as why you hear those discordant sounds at the beginning of an orchestral concert.  They are tuning all of the instruments to the same key!  

I have spent most of my life around musicians and I don’t think even they could explain some of the things in this book.  There are wonderful illustration as well as a lot of interesting facts.  I mean, how else could you learn the true meaning of decibels or how loud is too loud?  This would make an excellent gift for anyone who love music or thrives on trivia.

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

Contest is open to anyone with a US or Canadian mailing address (no PO Boxes)
Contest ends on 11.20.10 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 11.21.10
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by Hatchette Book Group and 3 books will be available.
Only one winner per household address!

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Comments

  1. holdenj says

    November 4, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    I find his PhD in Physics fascinating. I’ve noticed how science and music dovetail quite often in people’s lives.

    Reply
  2. Coffee and a Book Chick says

    November 4, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    If it’s the same John Powell I’m a fan of, then his PS I Love You soundtrack was used during my wedding for the processional for bridesmaids, flower girl, mothers of the bride and groom, and my own processional. Absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous music!! I just entered my information for the giveaway — what a great offer!

    Reply
  3. holdenj says

    November 5, 2010 at 1:09 pm

    Daily entry 11/5. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  4. Shana says

    November 5, 2010 at 9:12 pm

    This looks like an amazing book. I’m a music fanatic, growing up listening to everything from Mozart to Marvin Gaye, and having spent years in choir, the power of music has always intrigued me.

    Reply
  5. holdenj says

    November 6, 2010 at 2:12 pm

    Daily entry 11/6. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  6. Bcteagirl says

    November 6, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    Twittered!
    http://twitter.com/bcteagirl/status/1041735350231040

    teagirl1 at telus dot net

    Reply
  7. Moridin says

    November 7, 2010 at 1:17 am

    Daily entry.
    iii.141592653589793238462643383[at]gmail[dot]com

    Reply
  8. holdenj says

    November 7, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    Daily entry 11/7. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  9. Bcteagirl says

    November 7, 2010 at 5:49 pm

    Retwittered!
    http://twitter.com/bcteagirl/status/1330315247230976

    teagirl1 at telus dot net

    Reply
  10. Alyce says

    November 7, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    I love learning about music, so I’m sure I would enjoy this book. 🙂

    akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

    Reply
  11. holdenj says

    November 8, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    Daily entry 11/8. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  12. holdenj says

    November 11, 2010 at 12:33 am

    Daily entry 11/10. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  13. holdenj says

    November 11, 2010 at 9:56 pm

    Daily entry 11/11. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  14. holdenj says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    Daily entry 11/12. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  15. holdenj says

    November 13, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    Daily entry 11/13. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  16. holdenj says

    November 14, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    Daily entry 11/14. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  17. holdenj says

    November 16, 2010 at 1:58 am

    Daily entry 11/15. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  18. holdenj says

    November 17, 2010 at 12:29 am

    Daily entry 11/16. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  19. Megan says

    November 17, 2010 at 6:04 am

    My husband is a music educator and he would love this book. Thanks for the review, now I can add it to our to read list.

    megankyser at gmail dot com

    Reply
  20. pippirose says

    November 17, 2010 at 2:37 pm

    This book sounds fascinating.
    Music is such a part of our lives.
    :o)

    Reply
  21. holdenj says

    November 18, 2010 at 1:39 am

    Daily entry 11/17. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  22. holdenj says

    November 19, 2010 at 12:14 am

    Daily entry 11/18. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  23. holdenj says

    November 19, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    Daily entry 11/19. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  24. Jennifer says

    November 19, 2010 at 6:39 pm

    I’m a new email subscriber. This book sounds great and I know that my husband, a teacher, would enjoy it also.
    Thanks,
    Jen
    jryder416 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  25. holdenj says

    November 20, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    Daily entry 11/20. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  26. Laura H. says

    November 21, 2010 at 12:38 am

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

    Reply
  27. Laura H. says

    November 21, 2010 at 12:40 am

    Tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/6143660445925377

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

    Reply
  28. Laura H. says

    November 21, 2010 at 12:41 am

    Posted giveaway on FB: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=164009953637298&id=1336711064

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

    Reply
  29. Mary (BookHounds) says

    November 21, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    Jennifer — jryder416@
    Megan — Megankyser@
    Coffee and a Book Chick — coffeeandabookchick@

    An email has been sent to the lucky people named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam). They have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

    Thanks to all who entered.

    Reply

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