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Hearing is a complex system that captures vibrations
from the exterior, takes them through the middle ear and transduces them in the inner ear.
Analysis of the stimuli is carried out by the brain.
Histology of hearing 
This site gives an interesting lesson in the anatomy of the ear: a
schematic, clear, concise presentation which teaches us a little more about this complex
organ.
Why can some people perceive and describe pure pitches while others
can only describe a pitch as relatively higher or lower? If someone coughs during a
concert, why do we not perceive it as part of the music? Why do we identify the solo
violinist as differentiated from the orchestra? If each ear receives only a wave of
variable width and frequency, how are we able to distinguish all these different aspects?
Auditory scenes
An attempt is made to answer these questions from the analysis of the
so-called “auditory scenes”. At this educational site, aimed at people with some
previous knowledge of the subject, you’ll find answers to some of these questions.
The sound waves of music, through the eardrum and middle ear, make the
ciliary cells of the inner ear dance, which is converted into nerve impulses and the
sensation of sound. We can imagine how depending on the music reaching us from outside,
faster or slower, louder or softer, the ciliary cells will dance faster or slower, over a
greater or lesser width, and how our perception is born from this dance.
The dances that let us listen
These pages offer a very instructive approach to a dance of this
type.
Hearing is a window on the world. From it we can be carried where the
melody wants. It leads us. Looking at a mountain, with its cartographic information, a
melody may emerge. This is topophony.
Topophony: earth music
If you want to have a topophonic experience on this website, by
clicking on the “web” button you can choose a point on the compass rose and
obtain the image and melody associated with that point.
Music and words are perceived as sounds with which our brain
elaborates emotional stimuli.
SOUNDSITE, an online journal of the theory, philosophy
and art of sound
Take part in this journal that deals with the theory, philosophy and
art of sound. A search engine is provided for finding related information. You’ll
find sound clips, information on conferences and links to interesting sites.
Open your ears, get your sense of hearing online and visit this
website, because the bits are also sounds and music.
MidiWorld
Here, if you look around the “MIDI files” section,
you’ll find all kinds of melodies and sound sequences, both classical and modern,
which you can download and use however you like.
Combining images and sounds in a new multimedia idea, evoking music
and ambiences and relating them with pictures and sculptures. This is the aim of the
participants in the exhibition “An art installation at the end of the century”.
Millenium Overdrive
Sound compositions take their inspiration from various sources such as
jazz, classical music, industrial and avant-garde music, and are created electronically.
The creators of this website are fully aware that the Internet is
communication and sharing, in this case, of our enthusiasm for and interest in one type of
music, and have filled it with videos, sound files, interviews, song lyrics, and
everything you can imagine.
Enya, an unofficial page
This is an excellent example of an unofficial page on a musician,
created by fans away from the record companies and therefore extremely interesting.
The Internet is also music, and for lovers of good jazz this site is
essential for flattering our sense of hearing.
Verve Interactive
As well as an interesting information point on artists and new releases
from the major record company Verve, here you can enjoy sound files with selected excerpts
from the best pieces, not forgetting the chat areas and competitions.
If what you enjoy is experimenting with musical instruments,
don’t fail to visit this page, where you can turn the pointer of your mouse into a
violin bow.
Pixound
Here you can get the Pixound plug-in you need to do so.
When the plug-in is activated, you can have an enjoyable time playing with the colours and
sounds, and making music (in tune!) just by moving the mouse. You end up confusing the
senses of sight and sound.
