The Relationship between Math and Music Essay - 2505 Words

INTRODUCTION Mathematics refers to numbers and calculations, often dealing with magnitudes, figures and quantities expressed symbolically. On the other hand, music is an art of sound through the use of harmonies, rhythm and melodies. Although these two subjects are in contrast to each other, as mathematics is often unpopular to most people for its difficulty and music is easily likeable for its pleasantness, experts have uncovered a strong connection between the two topics. The connection between mathematics and music is held through the concepts of numbers, patterns, and ratios. Through these mathematical concepts, many music theories were developed. Great mathematicians like Pythagoras, also a renowned music lover, applied†¦show more content†¦1. Applying Math to Music Math and music can both aid each other through different means. Math was first applied to music by harmony, tones and tunings constructed by the Ancient Greeks. In the Greek era, music was regarded as a mathematical discipline. In other words, music was the science of sound. The Greeks were also the one who discovered that notes of the same base frequency sound most pleasant to the ear. For example a 100Hz tone sounds pleasant when combined with a 200Hz, 300Hz, 400Hz and 500Hz frequency. The most important ratio of frequency became 1:2, where we developed the idea of octaves. Even here, we can easily see how we can apply the concepts of ratio and use them to combine harmonic tones that go well when played with each other. It was based on the Greeks’ studies that later on, famous musicians made use of not only tones of the same base frequencies, but also tones of frequencies that have developed patterns. One very amusing mathematical concept is the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 21, 34†¦) where the first two elements of the set are both 1, and the succeeding number is obtained by the sum of the two preceding numbers. The ratio of two adjacent numbers is what we call the Golden Ratio which is approximately 0.61803398.... Apart from this, the golden ratio is also what weShow MoreRelatedRelationship Between Math And Music1001 Words   |  5 Pageswondered why music doesn’t get in the way when you do math homework? It’s because the harmonics in math and music go in a geometric pattern and so on, let me simple it down for you in this paper. In paper will discuss about the relationships between math and music, the reasons music is better when doing math, what type of music uses math, and what types of math has the most connection to music. What kinds of relationships does math have to music? The relations between math and music are likeRead MoreMath Music Theory850 Words   |  4 PagesMathematics and Music Theory In the study of mathematics, at first glance it seems clear that mathematics is cut and dry, black and white, completely numerical. But in many ways, mathematics extends into other areas of life. While some people may think of mathematics and art as being two separate entities, Math is very present in many artistic endeavors. Music, commonly referred to as an art, would not be possible without the relationship it shares with mathematics. In many different ways, math is an importantRead MoreMathematics and its Relation with Music and its Harmonics766 Words   |  3 Pageshave manipulated the standard aspects of music, which include rhythm and melody. More importantly, many musical compositions have incorporated complex math within, for examples again, melodies and rhythms that create a uniqueness that has yet to be perfectly matched by other composers. One other key aspect of music in general, harmony, is where a fairly complex mathematical formula is involved: the harmonic mean. Because harmony is a major component of music, it is no surprise that this harmonic meanRead MoreIs Beauty A Mathematical And Non Mathematical Context?1652 Words   |  7 Pageswas related to music. For this report, the main topic will be ‘Frequency, Pitch and Harmony’; this report will explain the maths behind this, how sound waves are connected, Pythagoras and his involvement and a brief history of maths and its link with music. 2. The Maths Behind The Music 2.1 What is music? Some consider defining the word ‘music’ quite hard, since many people have different opinions on what ‘music’ is. Personally I consider music a combinationRead MoreMathematical and Musical Harmony1308 Words   |  6 Pagesto be to be strictly rational, abstract, cold and soulless. Music, however, is involved with emotion, with feelings, and with life. It exists in all daily routines. Everyone has sung a song, pressed a key on a piano, or blown into a flute, and therefore, in some sense, made music. People can easily interact with it. Music is a way of expression and a part of everyone’s existence. The incentive for investigating the connections between these two apparent opposites therefore is in the least obviousRead MoreMusic Lessons Improve Life Essay1540 Words   |  7 Pagessongs, all the way down to slow, peaceful, or gloomy songs. Music can make people calm and relaxed, and also get them pumped up and full of energy. The piano produces music that is different from every other instrument. It has a wide range of sound going from low to high and from soft to loud. Put those sounds in combinations and it could produce music. The piano has a large range of music’s available that most everyone is able to find music that they would like. There are also people who play thatRead MoreSports vs Performing Arts1498 Words   |  6 Pagesperforming arts. Music education being the right of all children it must be taught in appropriate ways suggested by the geographical cultural and social environment (3). And yes, that is true. Every child should have the write to experience. Every person, in every culture is introduced to some form of music. Whether a person lives in Asia, Africa, Italy, or the USA. That person is introduced to the kind of music in that culture. But scientists have said time after time that Music lessons appearRead MoreThe Effects Of Music On Music Education1002 Words   |  5 Pageschildren wanting to play outside instead of practice violin music is proven to make you smarter. When a child particularly at a young age learns how to play an instrument preferably in a social setting is provides the brain of that child with extra dopamine, new neurological connections, better behavior, and higher test scores. Schools are turning to new programs to aid music education and there are many reasons to support their de cision. Music has been proven over many studies to show a connection toRead MoreMusic Education and the Benefits Essay examples1700 Words   |  7 Pages Most understand that music is a useful tool for relaxation and leisure time. Fewer know that learning a musical instrument, or even listening to music for long periods of time, can have a positive impact on one’s academic abilities. Numerous researchers and college professors have looked into this correlation and again and again have produced data that confirms this common theory. Studying music can not only improve academic skills, but sharpen motor skills, memory, and create a well rounded, enrichedRead MoreMathematics and Music: The Collision of Science and Art Essay1735 Words   |  7 Pages The concept of the Renaissance man is somewhat of a lost ideal, replaced by the specialized philosophy of the industrial era. From the 14th to 17th centuries; however, it would be common to find a man with a profound knowledge of both the A rts, music, poetry, literature, art, and the Sciences, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology. The Renaissance man embraced all forms of knowledge, and through a deep passion for both the Arts and Sciences, used each discipline to expand the other. Unfortunately