Mathematicians and physicists have attempted to understand how physics relates to music from Pythagoras to the present day. This talk will review that history and explore the mysteries of the Pythagorean and syntonic commas (there will be maths!) as well as looking at what physics can tell us about how musical instruments function.

Stepping aside from the well-trodden path of “physics of music” talks, this talk will show how many contemporary musicians take issue with the approach of physicists and prefer to prioritise the roles of perception and psychoacoustics.

Professor Daniel Wolverson, Professor of Physics, University of Bath