Music & Math: Lectures & Textbooks

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between music and mathematics, specifically seeking resources such as lectures or textbooks on the topic. Participants explore the mathematical aspects of music and related concepts like the golden ratio in art.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in finding lectures or textbooks that discuss the mathematical nature of music.
  • Another participant suggests using Google and Wikipedia as resources for exploring the connection between music and mathematics.
  • A different participant questions the ability to identify the golden ratio in art, seeking clarification on how it is recognized in specific works.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the mathematical claims related to music, noting that some skilled musicians may not engage with mathematical concepts.
  • It is mentioned that music is related to the harmonic series, which has mathematical implications, but there is a belief that practical musicians may not prioritize this knowledge.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the relationship between music and mathematics, with some expressing belief in the connection while others remain skeptical about its relevance to musicians.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the identification of mathematical concepts in art and the varying perspectives on the importance of mathematics in music practice.

grantwilliams
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I have heard that music is very mathematical and was wondering if there is a place I could watch lectures on a topic like this? Or maybe a textbook I could read through? Thanks for any help!
 
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great wikilink h2bro, i didnt think wiki had anything on it.. sort of related to the OP topic, how is it that someone can look at a painting, architecture or whatewver and say, yup, the golden ratio is being used here. i think i understand what the golden ratio is (simply that a+b:a = a:b that is if a>b) ? but how do people look at something , such as this painting...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pentagram_and_human_body_(Agrippa).jpg

...and see the golden ratio? Please be dumbed down specific lol because I am not seeing it , thanks!
 
grantwilliams said:
I have heard that music is very mathematical and was wondering if there is a place I could watch lectures on a topic like this? Or maybe a textbook I could read through? Thanks for any help!


That's what they say, but I don't believe it. Some of the best musicians I know can't balance a checkbook.

Music is related to the harmonic series and that is mathematical. You can look that up. But real musicians don't care about that.
 

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