Course details

Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics

BPC-ZHA FEKT BPC-ZHA Acad. year 2025/2026 Winter semester 3 credits

Current academic year

Students will become familiar with the physical nature of sound waves and vibrations in detail, the human way of perceiving sound, acoustics of musical instruments and acoustics in interpretation. The course also deals with recordings played on different musical instruments.

Guarantor

Course coordinator

Language of instruction

Czech

Completion

Examination (written)

Time span

  • 26 hrs lectures

Department

Hudební fakulta (HF JAMU)

Learning objectives

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the physical nature of sound waves and vibrations, the human way of perceiving sound, the acoustics of musical instruments and acoustics in interpretation.
The student will be able to:
- explain the basic concepts of acoustics,
- explain the principle function of a musical instrument and characterize its tone,
- explain the capabilities and limitations of musical instruments,
- describe the influence of room acoustics on the interpretation of music,
- describe spaces suitable for various genres and describe a recording chain,
- name the audio formats used and describe them,
- use modern technologies to record music and for the analysis of playing a musical instrument.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The knowledge of basic concepts of musical acoustics, tempo, expression and dynamic signs, and musical instruments tuning is required.

Syllabus of lectures

Fyzikální vlastnosti zvukových vln. 

Vlastnosti hudebního tónu. Frekveční spektrum. Hlasitost a energetický popis vlnění. 

Vyšší harmonické, harmonická řada.

Slyšení, citlivost sluchu.

Šíření zvuku v prostoru. Zdroje, typy vln.  Překážky, povrchy, akustické prvky, dozvuk

Vznik zvuku v hudebních nástrojích. Stojaté vlnění na strunách a v trubicích.

Ladění. Přirozené intervaly, temperované ladění.

Progress assessment

Evaluation of study results follows Rules for Studies and Examinations of BUT and Dean's Regulation to the Rules for Studies and Examinations of BUT. Credit is given after successful completion of a written test and additional interview.
Forms of the checked instructions are specified by a regulation issued by the guarantee of the course and updated for every academic year.

Course inclusion in study plans

  • Programme MITAI, field NSPE, any year of study, Compulsory
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