Mathematics and Music: The Collision of Science and Art

1725 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Short note on the Renaissance man

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 Arts, 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, in the 21st century, this same philosophy is far gone. Where these two fields once were used together to create an ultimate beauty, they are now pitted against each other by many scholars. It is not uncommon now for a mathematician or physicist to dismiss the Arts as a waste of time; or for an artist or musician to proclaim the Sciences as useless to them. As both an avid blues guitarist and an IB math student, I aim to contrast this modern opinion. I will do so by exploring the relationship between the Arts and Sciences; specifically mathematics and music. On a personal level, I find this to be extremely important, as I hold a deep value for all means of human expression and learning. I believe also that the Arts and Sciences hold one great unifying thing together, which is the search for Truth and Beauty. In a modernized world where ideas and creations can be shared so quickly; the potential for a profound knowledge and passion of both these fields has never been greater. Concepts I plan to explore are: how musical scales can be made using Fibonacci ratios, the Golden Ratio’s relationship with music, equal temperament, where else the Fibonacci numbers occur in music, the exponential nature of octaves, and how exposure to music help... ... middle of paper ... ...ight in blending together a proper knowledge of both the Sciences and Arts. I’ve always believed a proper knowledge in all fields of human endeavors is essential to finding truth and through knowledge of both fields one can create a life of beauty. Bibliography Works Cited "Fibonacci Sequence and Music." Fibonacci.html. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2014. . "Music." Phi 1618 The Golden Number RSS. Golden Number, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2014. . Wikipedia. "Golden Ratio." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2014. . Wikipedia. "Music and Mathematics." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2014. .

Show More
Related

  • Leonardo Da Vinci: The Renaissance Man

    1080 Words  | 3 Pages

    From the fourteenth to the seventeenth century the Renaissance transformed European culture and society. Many classical texts resurfaced and new scientific techniques arose. To many, Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most important figures in Renaissance history. He was given the name “Renaissance Man” because of his large role and impact. He had a large list of interests that spanned from science, art, anatomy, architecture, and mathematics. All of which were fundamental components that shaped the Renaissance era into what we know it as today.

    Read More

  • Music And Racial Identity

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Together the matrices of race and music occupied similar position and shared the same spaces in the works of some of the most lasting texts of Enlightenment thought..., by the end of the eighteenth century, music could embody differences and exhibit race…. Just as nature gave birth and form to race, so music exhibited remarkable affinities to nature” (Radano and Bohlman 2000: 14). Radano and Bohlman pointed out that nature is a source of differences that give rise to the different racial identities. As music embodies the physical differences of human, racial differences are not only confined to the differences in physical appearances, but also the differences in many musical features, including language, tonality and vocal expression. Nonetheless, music is the common ground of different racial identities. “In the racial imagination, music also occupies a position that bridges or overlaps with racial differences. Music fills in the spaces between racial distinctiveness….” (Radano and Bohlman 2000:8) Even though music serves as a medium through which different racial identities are voiced and celebrated individually, it establishes the common ground and glues the differences

    Read More

  • The History of Music

    1538 Words  | 4 Pages

    The text of The Erlking (1815), by Schubert, is a Germanic legend and is about the king of the elves. He is an evil and magical figure, who with his touch (whether you touch him or he touches you) can kill. In the text a father and his son are riding home at night and the son keeps screaming that he sees the Erlking and he was going to hurt him. The father doesn't know what to do b/c he's not sure if the son is really seeing the Erlking or if he is

    Read More

  • The History of Music

    1756 Words  | 4 Pages

    Music has been around since the dawn of time, ever since man first inhabited this planet we have learned to communicate in ways other then conventional speaking. Different Cultures all have there own specific way of communicating through music. Music is basically broken into two specific groups Eastern Music and Western Music. Eastern music is mainly derived from the orient and India. While, Western music first emerged from Europe. Western music has developed in many ways since the middle ages through its form, sound, and message.

    Read More

  • Evolution of Music: From Renaissance to Baroque Era

    1217 Words  | 3 Pages

    As discussed by Greenberg (2009), the Renaissance saw many changes and advancements over a two hundred year span of evolution in music. The intellectual and social trends strayed from the absolute power of the church and secular music became admired and composed for the beauty of its art. Renaissance composers developed a more expressive style by clearly articulating lyrics “musica reservata” and a process called word painting or tone painting which reflected

    Read More

  • The Art called Music

    1206 Words  | 3 Pages

    Pop. Traditional. Classical. These are all genres of music. These all serve a purpose. These are all important. Pop music has been used to help inform and motivate the general public during movements like environmental protection and gay rights. Traditional music has helped to guide us by telling us stories of the past from the church to the fields. Classical music has been played for royalty and help dancers spin a story. Some can be considered art while others can’t, but it often differs because the definition of art is in constant motion. The definition of art is a subject philosopher’s debate because it can be defined strictly or loosely. For the purpose of this essay, let art be defined as anything that can be touched or heard, and it causes a mental and physical reaction. Classical music is truly an art form because it invokes a mental and physical reaction from both the audience and the performers, and it has contrast to make it more dynamic.

    Read More

  • Romantic Vs Classical Music Essay

    814 Words  | 2 Pages

    What would the world be like without music? The world would be a very silent place. Music is in many ways the material of our lives and the meaning of society. It is a reminder of how things were in the old days, a suggestion of how things are, and a view of where society is leading to. Music is the direct reflection of the picture of art, music, and literature. Music can be a way to deliver messages, being poetic, a fine art, or it can just be for entertainment. No matter what it is used for, music is the perfect art there is and there are various types of music; such as classical and romantic. This paper will discuss how classical music and romantic music had a turning point in humanity’s social or cultural development, and how they have

    Read More

  • Music And Musicology

    1211 Words  | 3 Pages

    Music can take on many meaning and there are many forms of music that come in different languages through out the world. So is it reasonable to conclude that music does affect a person mood and personality through out his or her life. Despite the fact the music play such an important role in a person life, there are still people that do not care about the art the cultural behind different type of music that we experience in everyday life. In his podcasts, “Why Do Listeners Enjoy Music that Makes them Weep?” professor David Huron talk about how his research of psychology help him related to the study of humanities which could be connect to the understanding of systematic musicology in a human mind. With this idea we as listeners can engage it with the different way that people can interact with music in their life and understand more about what cause the mood and emotion that a person feel when they experience music.

    Read More

  • Musicians and Composers of the Renaissance

    1760 Words  | 4 Pages

    John Warrack, author of 6 Great Composers, stated, “Any study of a composer, however brief, must have as its only purpose encouragement of the reader to greater enjoyment of the music” (Warrack, p.2). The composers and musicians of the Renaissance period need to be discussed and studied so that listeners, performers, and readers can appreciate and understand the beginnings of music theory and form. The reader can also understand the driving force of the composer, whether sacred or secular, popularity or religious growth. To begin understanding music composition one must begin at the birth, or rebirth of music and the composers who created the great change.

    Read More

  • The History of Music

    670 Words  | 2 Pages

    Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary the Eleventh Edition states that music is “The science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity. It can created by vocals, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody or harmony.”

    Read More

  • The Musical Periods Of The Medieval And Renaissance Period

    708 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout this semester we have discussed an array of musical periods ranging from the Middle Ages and Renaissance to more recent modern times. As music progressed through time certain concepts such as melody, harmony, and texture changed along with the introduction of different instruments. In the early phases of music it was more directed toward religious ceremonies, but as time went on it became integrated into everyday life. Even though musical dynamics seem to change as the years go on, it has never failed to create some form of emotional response such as laughter or sadness.

    Read More

  • Michael Zambrano

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    Michael’s interest in Science, particularly Physics, was something that came about gradually. The more physics he learnt, the deeper an understanding he gained of the world and why it is the way it is. He enjoys asking the big questions and feels that studying physics in university will broaden his horizon. Even though Physics is not his first love, Michael is very certain about his choice of major. He says that studying music does not appeal to him because it may distort or restrict his creative process.

    Read More

  • Music and Math

    876 Words  | 2 Pages

    In measures two and four there are two quarter notes and one half. Knowing that a half note equals two beats, bars two and four match the time signature as well. (1 + 1 + 2 = 4). This displays how many concepts of math, including its most basic forms, are accommodated in music. After reviewing the history of the development of music, it seems that without mathematics music would not exist.

    Read More

  • Street Art Essay

    1326 Words  | 3 Pages

    regarded by many as the core of any act of beauty and reason. Different types of art have provoked many in life to pursue their goals and

    Read More

  • The Evolution Of Modern Music: The Creation Of Music

    1340 Words  | 3 Pages

    Music is one of many forms of art. There are varying types of music which consists of seven different concepts. These concepts: rhythm, tone, beat, melody, harmony, expression, and structure, are the fundamental parts of music. These parts of music, with all of its characteristics, has been proven throughout history to change views of most humans on earth regardless of age race, sex, and nationality.

    Read More

More about Mathematics and Music: The Collision of Science and Art

Open Document