For the record: The physics of sound and music
- Date & time
- Speaker
- Philip Ball, Helen Czerski, Trent BurtonHelen Czerski: Department of Mechanical Engineering at UCL; Philip Ball: Freelance writer and broadcaster, former editor at Nature; Trent Burton: Director
- Location
- Royal Institution Theatre
- Organisation
- The Royal Institution
Topics
About this talk
Music is an almost universal cultural phenomenon, but we're only able to enjoy it thanks to the physical properties of sound and the world we live on. In association with the landmark docuseries For the Record: An Incomplete History of Music, this evening will take a look at some unique physics of sound through two short talks. Acclaimed science writer Philip Ball will ask, is our musical scale just a matter of physics? Is it a bunch of arbitrary decisions or is it defined by the harmonic series and by perfect ratios of frequencies? Can you determine a different temperament just by ear? Physicist, oceanographer and 2020 Christmas Lecturer Helen Czerski will be talking about the unique way sound works in an underwater environment, and how on a recent field trip to Africa she worked with locals using the science of acoustics to protect hippopotamuses and their underwater conversations. In addition, award winning director Trent Burton will be giving a brief introduction and celebration of the docuseries itself, explaining how we go about separating sound from music. Approximate running times: Trent Burton - 10 minutes Helen Czerski - 25 minutes Philip Ball - 25 minutes Q&A - 30 minutes For the Record: An Incomplete History of Music is a new, landmark, nine part docuseries from The Cosmic Shambles Network. Presented by Charlotte Ritchie (Ghosts, Taskmaster) the series explores the entire history of music from The Big Bang to AI and everything in between. Over ten hours, and featuring over 100 exclusive interviews with the world's best musicians, historians and scientists, this series is truly one of a kind. Event presented in collaboration with Kings Place Music Foundation and The Cosmic Shambles Network. Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.
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