Course detail

Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics

FEKT-BPC-ZHAAcad. year: 2025/2026

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.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

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

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

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.

Aims

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.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Geist, B. Akustika - jevy a souvislosti v hudební teorii a praxi. Praha: MUZIKUS s.r.o., 2005. ISBN 978-8086253312 (CS)
Syrový, V. Hudební akustika. Praha: AMU, 2003. ISBN 978-80-7331-127-8 (CS)
Špelda, A.: Hudební akustika. Praha: SPN, 1978. (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPC-AUD Bachelor's

    specialization AUDB-ZVUK , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
    specialization AUDB-TECH , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

  • Programme MITAI Master's

    specialization NSPE , 0 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

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.