logo
episode-header-image
May 2020
44m 13s

How Music Works - The Physics

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Musical instruments are a particularly cool type of technology. How do musical instruments take advantage of fundamental laws of physics? We explore the nature of sound and music in this episode.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Today
Week in Tech: Did Social Media Just Change Forever?
Are you ready to bond over AI videos? This week in tech news, OpenAI dominates the game. Their new social media app is the talk of the internet, they signed a massive chip deal that rocked the industry, and they just released tech that gets ChatGPT one step closer to becoming the ... Show More
33m 14s
Oct 8
The Story: Spies vs. AIs
This week, we check in on the CIA and how it’s faring in the age of AI. Oz sits down with David Ignatius, a foreign affairs columnist for The Washington Post to discuss his article, “A Band of Innovators Reimagines the Spy Game for a World with No Cover.” Ignatius has been coveri ... Show More
24m 40s
Oct 3
Week in Tech: Does 'Workslop' Affect Your Workplace?
Do you know the definition of a friend? This week in tech news, workplaces may not be getting a good return on their AI investments and a new wearable goes all in on advertisements, but they are getting defaced. Then, Italy has a new AI regulation law and there’s a buzzy new “act ... Show More
32m 33s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2011
Electronic Music
From Intelligent Dance Music to Auto Tune, electronic music is everywhere, but what's really happening in the musical space shared by humans and machines? Join Robert and Julie as they discuss the authenticity, creativity and future of electronic music. Learn more about your ad-c ... Show More
47m 5s
Nov 2023
Tune Tech: Distortion, sequencers, Auto-Tune, and more
From electric guitars to samplers to drum machines and beyond, the music we love is only possible thanks to the technology used to create it. In many ways, the history of popular music is really a history of technological innovation. In this episode, we partnered with BandLab to ... Show More
26m 48s
Mar 2014
A Musical Time Machine for the Brain
A Musical Time Machine for the Brain: What is music doing to our perception of time? It seems to transport us to the past. It speeds things up and slows things down. And just how do others exploit these qualities to manipulate us? Find out in this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mi ... Show More
37m 24s
Dec 2020
Theremins: World's First Electronic Music
In 1919 a brilliant Russian scientist accidentally stumbled onto the first electronic musical instrument in history – the theremin – which you play not by strings, keys, or even percussion, but by moving your hand in the air around it. Prepare to science! Learn more about your ad ... Show More
50m 44s
Jun 2011
Math, Music and Mayhem
Whether it's Art Garfunkel's mathematics degree or the structure of the chromatic scale, it's easy to correlate music and math. But why are so many musical minds also well suited for number crunching? Tune in to learn more about music and math. Learn more about your ad-choices at ... Show More
24m 56s
Oct 2021
BrainStuff Classics: What Is Music's 'Word' for Death?
Composers use musical references to help create mood -- and as a wink at other music lovers. Learn how 'Dies Irae', or 'The Day of Wrath', is often used in film soundtracks in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/why-s ... Show More
5m 7s
Jan 2019
The Saxophone
Few musical instruments are as associated with American music and culture as the saxophone, but it's origins go back to 19th century Belgian instrument maker's Parisian shop. Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick explore in this episode of Invention.  Learn more about your ad-choices at ... Show More
56m 33s
Apr 2021
How Do Astronauts Play Music in Space?
Lots of astronauts have performed music in space, just for fun or for wider audiences. Learn what considerations it takes in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/astronauts-play-music-in-space.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at ... Show More
5m 6s
Jun 2018
What Is Music's 'Word' for Death?
Composers use musical references to classics in their own work to help create mood -- and as a wink at other music lovers. Learn how one such reference, 'Dies Irae', or 'The Day of Wrath', is often used in film soundtracks in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-c ... Show More
4m 43s
Oct 2021
The Science of Scary Music
Why do certain works of music make our skin crawl? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Joe chats with producer Seth about the science of scary music and Seth tells everyone about his new music podcast Rusty Needle's Record Club. Learn more about your ad-choices at https:/ ... Show More
1h 27m