Charles Taylor's 1989 Christmas Lectures 5/5: Scales, Synthesizers and Samples

In final lecture, Charles Taylor explores electronic instruments and muses on whether they may one day replace traditional ones. Harpsichords and spinets are mechanised members of plucked string family and it is well known that major problem with these instruments is that it is difficult to make sound vary in loudness. This lecture will explore how we overcome this problem leading to feat of mechanical engineering that is modern piano. Origin of musical scales is particularly fascinating. But problem arises with keyboard instruments that it is impossible to play scales in all keys exactly in tune. Fortunately, synthesizers forming main part of this lecture provide us with convenient way to demonstrate problem and its solution. Timecodes: 00:00 - Introduction 01:07 - Piano Mechanism 02:20 - Piano Features 03:14 - Pedal Function 04:09 - Physics & Music 07:20 - Experiments of Eric Clark 09:47 - Gamma Significance 12:03 - Instruments Tuning 13:00 - Well-Tempered keyboard 15:17 - Introduction to Synthesizers 16:15 - Analog Synthesizers 17:55 - Monaural Keyboard 19:33 - Electronic Sounds 22:08 - Vibrato 25:52 - Frequency Modulation 27:47 - Synthesizer Features 28:22 - Analog & Digital Recording 29:19 - Advantages of Digital Recording 30:04 - Computer Sound Processing 31:03 - Lasers for CD-ROMs 32:55 - Illusions 34:40 - Samplers & MIDI 37:08 - Voice Recording 39:20 - MIDI Controllers 42:44 - Record & Play Music 45:14 - Interaction with Synthesizer 47:27 - BBC Radiophonic...