Music and Mathematics: From Pythagoras to Fractals - Review

     "Music and Mathematics: From Pythagoras to Fractals," takes you on a journey to learn the intimate relationship of music and mathematics. For music evolved from the extraordinary discoveries designed by mathematicians. For example, the modern scale with the interval, whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half, was invented by Pythagoras who heard hammers in proportional sizes striking in a tones that compose the scale that Americans familiar with today. 

     You might have noticed that most musicians are mathematically inclined, for it takes a strong understanding of math in order to comprehend the concept of music theory. Music theory is the application of patterns and formulas to sound. Music was constructed by those who conceived the intricate patterns and formulas of math. As you can see, mathematics is very vital for the life and comprehension of Music. 

    Although music has evolved and will continue to do so, the infrastructure of the beautiful tones will still be as important as it is now, which is math. After reading this book, I have come to appreciate math a little more, seeing that it helps fuel the life I pursue, which is a life of joyfulness, success, God, and music.

Instrumental Discoveries

In my New Works class we were assigned with the objective of making an instrument. Later I shall be posting the different instruments created.

Music & Mathematics: From Pythagoras to Fractals

This Thanksgiving break, my Algebra 2 teacher, Ms. Jalilvand, assigned me a project about reading a book that shows the relation between math and an art form. I, being a music student, chose to read a book titled, Music and Mathematics: From Pythagoras to Fractals Edited by John Fauvel, Raymond Flood and Robin Wilson, which impressively shows the relation of music and mathematics, as well as the discovery of music through mathematics.  

Chapter 1 - Tuning and temperament: closing the spiral 

Pythagoras discovers the Pythagorean scale with the pitches made from the hammers from a blacksmith forge. This scale is the current scale used in the Western Hemisphere, in this pattern C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. The number for the intervals of this scale is not evenly distributed, for if it was many tones would sound out of tune.  

Chapter 2 - Music cosmology: Kepler and his readers 

The pieces composed by Kepler show his ability to be outdated or be in style centuries later. 

Chapter 3 - The science of musical sound 

The sound of music is quite hard to graph, but humans aurally receive the music in such a way that has yet to be scientifically shown. 

New Works - LaSt PeRiOd

This year I have the most interesting teacher for New Works. His name is Mr. Richards. Last period we talked about lines and there importance in all of the art forms. There was an improvisational skit performed in class to portray the lines--also known as the script--in theatre. Later we (ME-Victor Ragsdale, Amarys Fuentes, Samantha Nealy, Jasmine Easter, Phoenix Abbo, and other musicians) described the use of lines in music, such as being a short excerpt in a piece, or the lines in a clef, and other known line usage in music. We also discussed the use of lines in visual art such as the line importance in perspective, definition, shading, volume, etc.. We simply discussed and incorporated lines to express its vitality in all art forms.