
Comparing Notes: How We Make Sense of Music (Paperback)
Adam Ockelford (author)
£9.99
Paperback
352 Pages /
Published: 07/06/2018
- We can order this from the publisher
A tap of the foot, a rush of emotion, the urge to hum a tune; without instruction or training we all respond intuitively to music. Comparing Notes explores what music is, why we are all musical, and how abstract patterns of sound that don't actually mean anything can in fact be so meaningful.
Taking the reader on a clear and compelling tour of major twentieth century musical theories, Professor Adam Ockelford arrives at his own important psychologically grounded theory of how music works. From pitch and rhythm to dynamics and timbre, he shows how all the elements of music cohere through the principle of imitation to create an abstract narrative in sound that we instinctively grasp, whether listening to Bach or the Beatles.
Based on three decades of innovative work with blind children and those on the autism spectrum, the book draws lessons from neurodiversity to show how we all develop musically, and to explore the experience of music from composer and performer to listener.
Authoritative, engaging and full of wonderful examples from across the musical spectrum, Comparing Notes is essential reading for anyone who's ever loved a song, sonata or symphony, and wondered why.
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd
ISBN: 9781781256046
Number of pages: 352
Weight: 294 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 21 mm
Edition: Main
MEDIA REVIEWS
'A profound and deeply important book. There is wisdom and humanity on every page - the most enjoyable work of non-fiction I've read in a very long time.' -- James Rhodes
An extraordinary book ... beautifully written -- Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6
[A] perceptive chronicle of [Ockelford's] experiences with extraordinary music makers * Nature *
Demystifies an art form, and offers unexpected insights into our pre-verbal past ... Ockelford extracts the core ideas from music theory that are notoriously difficult for non-specialists, and demonstrates just how accessible they can be in the right hands. * New Scientist *
Fascinating -- BBC Radio 3
An extraordinary book ... beautifully written -- Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6
[A] perceptive chronicle of [Ockelford's] experiences with extraordinary music makers * Nature *
Demystifies an art form, and offers unexpected insights into our pre-verbal past ... Ockelford extracts the core ideas from music theory that are notoriously difficult for non-specialists, and demonstrates just how accessible they can be in the right hands. * New Scientist *
Fascinating -- BBC Radio 3
You may also be interested in...
Please sign in to write a review
Sign In / Register
Not registered? CREATE AN ACCOUNTCREATE A plus ACCOUNT
Sign In
Download the Waterstones App
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?
Click & Collect
Reserve online, pay on collection
Alternatively, for multiple items you may find it easier to add to basket, then pay online and collect in as little as 2 hours, subject to availability.
Alternatively, for multiple items you may find it easier to add to basket, then pay online and collect in as little as 2 hours, subject to availability.
Thank you for your reservation
Your order is now being processed and we have sent a confirmation email to you at
When will my order be ready to collect?
Following the initial email, you will be contacted by the shop to confirm that your item is available for collection.
Call us on or send us an email at
Unfortunately there has been a problem with your order
Please try again or alternatively you can contact your chosen shop on or send us an email at