Teaching musical technology at the University of Edinburgh

Abstract

The teaching of musical technology at the University of Edinburgh dates from the appointment of John Donaldson as Professor of Music in 1845. One of the courses which he offered was on ‘‘The Structure, Compass and Properties of Musical Instruments,’’ the stated objective being ‘‘to discover the true principles on which musical instruments ought to be constructed, and which may lead, and have led, to the invention of new ones.’’ To this end he created a music classroom well equipped with acoustical apparatus and demonstration instruments. Out of Donaldson’s pioneering work developed a long-standing cooperation between the Faculty of Music and the Department of Natural Philosophy (later Physics and Astronomy) at Edinburgh. Currently two Honors Degree programs with a strong emphasis on musical technology are offered. One is a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Technology; the other is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics with Music. Both programs include courses in introductory musical acoustics, acoustics of musical instruments, analysis and synthesis of sound, and practical music technology. The B.Sc. requires an advanced school qualification in physics and mathematics, but no music; the B.Mus. requires an advanced school music qualification, but less advanced scientific background.