Physics, Music and Me (R.E. Miers)

Sound is one of the subjects covered by the science called physics. An integral part of this study involves application to musical sounds. A number of noted physicists have contributed to the study of the physics of sound and music, i.e Tyndall, Wheatstone, Helmholtz among others. Also a number of physicists are or have been musicians of varying caliber. Example: Einstein was regarded as a somewhat accomplished violin player.

In my case I studied piano and trombone in my high school years. In fact my original goal for college was to become a music teacher. A number of circumstances came about to change this goal. My college had only a teaching minor in music therefore I needed to major in something else. I chose physics. In the meantime I played trombone in my college band and later for two years in a U. S Army Band. After graduation I taught high school physics, however I still played trombone in a local community orchestra.

In subsequent year after obtaining a Ph. D. in physics and becoming involved in university teaching, my opportunities to play the trombone dwindled to the extent that I have become quite rusty. Similarly, I have neglected the piano for some time. A side interest in folk music spurred me to take up playing the acoustic guitar and five-string banjo. I can play both to the extent that I can participate in folk and blue grass jam sessions although I cannot claim expertise for either instrument.