For that type of reader, who might have a phobia for formulas, there’s no reason to be scared away. Someone well-versed in the history of Western music but light on the science end of things will nevertheless be taught much about why our music was shaped into what it now is. The other main area is the evolution of music: how we got to where we are today. For someone just getting started on the audio learning curve, HMW should be a goldmine. Personally, although I’d read quite a stack of books on related subjects prior to reading HMW, I learned a number fascinating facts I’d not encountered before. An experienced audio engineer will know a lot of this material already. The science of sound is one of these areas, and we explore pitch, loudness, the harmonic sequence and much more. How Music Works (HMW hereafter) covers two distinct general areas and brings them together in meaningful ways. Or, in my girlfriend’s view of jazz, disorientation, irritation, horror that it might never end, and relief when it does (her words, dictated to me as I write this). For example, in a discussion on improvisation, he observes: … improvising musicians learn lots of techniques for reestablishing order whenever they want to – and can steer the audience through an emotional cycle of familiarization, disorientation, expectation and gratification. He’s got a true knack for writing in a breezy style that makes reading his work an enjoyable experience, that style often including a splendid sense of humor. His background in college-level teaching also serves him well. He is a Brit who has both a PhD in physics and an MA in music (specifically composition). John Powell is almost uniquely qualified to write this sort of thing. This excellent book is not to be confused with a different book with the same title written by David Byrne, which is also excellent and for which a SoundBytes Magazine review can be found here.

Let’s get one thing out of the way immediately.

The full title goes on: The Science and Psychology of Beautiful Sounds, from Beethoven to the Beatles and Beyond. How Music Works by John Powell delivers just what the title promises.

Book how music works