Music and mathematics

Did you know that music theorists often use mathematics to understand music?

Mathematics is "the basis of sound" and sound itself "in its musical aspects... exhibits a remarkable array of number properties", simply because nature itself "is amazingly mathematical".

The attempt to structure and communicate new ways of composing and hearing music has led to musical applications of set theory, abstract algebra and number theory. Some composers have incorporated the Golden ratio and Fibonacci numbers into their work.

"Lateralus" by Tool is known for its distinct time signatures and corresponding lyrical patterns.



References:
  • Reginald Smith Brindle, The New Music, Oxford University Press, 1987

11 comments:

  1. weirdnewstoriesJune 27, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    math to understand music? my mind is blown o.O

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  2. edJune 27, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    maynard is a crazy person

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  3. Electric AddictJune 28, 2011 at 2:26 AM

    very powerful stuff

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  4. UnknownJune 28, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    well giddee up why dont'cha

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  5. RudolfJune 28, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    great sound!

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  6. ZachJune 28, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Interesting stuff there

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  7. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Wow, never knew of this. Thanks for the post!

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  8. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Fantastic find. I knew of the major role math plays in music, but to see this played out and explained was really cool!

    ReplyDelete
  9. S.S.June 30, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Very interesting and very nice to watch. Thanks :]

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  10. DralelJune 30, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    Sounds good, thanks for this!

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownJuly 4, 2011 at 4:51 AM

    Wow this amazing. Thanks. Nice post btw.

    ReplyDelete

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