• From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
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Topic: RELATION MUSIC AND MATHEMATICS

Is there a proven relation between, or an interaction between math & music?

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  • Zurf
  • Zurf
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
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Re: RELATION MUSIC AND MATHEMATICS

There is.  Music is math.  Mathematics is the study of the relations of intervals.  So is music.  They even use the same sections of your brain.  Children who study music also have increases to math scores.  My sister used to read a fair bit about the correlation, so I'm sure that there are books and articles and theses written upon it.  Some Googling or Amazon searches should give you at least one evening's worth of entertainment. 

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  • From: NY
  • Registered: 2009-08-26
  • Posts: 4,320

Re: RELATION MUSIC AND MATHEMATICS

Yuppers... I second what Zurf said.  Beats in a measure = time = math.  Study the circle of fifths and you will see tons more math.  Apparently  if you listen to enough Bach you might even get smart (they actually sell music to have children listen to supposedly to increase their intelligence just by listening).  All of this, my friend, is why I don't like music theory so much ... LOL ... I don't like math.

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  • From: Cardiff, Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2008-08-25
  • Posts: 182

Re: RELATION MUSIC AND MATHEMATICS

There most certainly is a relationship.
Notes an octave apart have frequencies in the ratio exactly 2 to 1
Notes that are considered harmonious and combine together in chords (triads) have frequencies related by simple mathematical ratios.
The "harmonics" you can play on your guitar strings are related by the very same ratios.
Even Pythagoras recognised the importance of mathematics in music.
And the great thing is, you can still enjoy and play music without knowing anything about the maths.

5 Reply by fatstrings (edited by fatstrings 2010-05-07 07:25:29)

  • From: Tennessee
  • Registered: 2008-08-03
  • Posts: 125

Re: RELATION MUSIC AND MATHEMATICS

The bigger question may be: what does not have a relationship with mathematics? I can't think of anything that does not involve math to some degree... measurement, angles, frequency, wavelength, volume, distance, etc...

umm, it's 3:00am here in Tennessee and I can't believe I'm setting here pondering over this question  yikes

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  • selso
  • selso
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  • From: El Paso, TX
  • Registered: 2007-07-18
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Re: RELATION MUSIC AND MATHEMATICS

I made the mistake of saying music had nothing to do with math. My very patient friends schooled me. There is math in everything. Makes me wish I would have paid attention in school

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