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Pythagoras

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Q: Which Greek philosopher discovered the mathematical ratios of musical intervals?
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What is Pythagoras's findings effect music?

Many European philosophers will call him the father of philosophy. Many scientists will call him the father of science. To musicians, nonetheless, Pythagoras is the father of music. According to Johnston, it was a much told story that one day the young Pythagoras was passing a blacksmith's shop and his ear was caught by the regular intervals of sounds from the anvil. When he discovered that the hammers were of different weights, it occurred to him that the intervals might be related to those weights. Pythagoras was correct. Pythagorean philosophy maintained that all things are numbers. Based on the belief that numbers were the building blocks of everything, Pythagoras began linking numbers and music. Revolutionizing music, Pythagoras' findings generated theorems and standards for musical scales, relationships, instruments, and creative formation. Musical scales became defined, and taught. Instrument makers began a precision approach to device construction. Composers developed new attitudes of composition that encompassed a foundation of numeric value in addition to melody. All three approaches were based on Pythagorean philosophy. Thus, Pythagoras' relationship between numbers and music had a profound influence on future musical education, instrumentation, and composition. The intrinsic discovery made by Pythagoras was the potential order to the chaos of music. Pythagoras began subdividing different intervals and pitches into distinct notes. Mathematically he divided intervals into wholes, thirds, and halves. "Four distinct musical ratios were discovered: the tone, its fourth, its fifth, and its octave." (Johnston, 1989). From these ratios the Pythagorean scale was introduced. This scale revolutionized music. Pythagorean relationships of ratios held true for any initial pitch. This discovery, in turn, reformed musical education. "With the standardization of music, musical creativity could be recorded, taught, and reproduced." (Rowell, 1983). Modern day finger exercises, such as the Hanons, are neither based on melody or creativity. They are simply based on the Pythagorean scale, and are executed from various initial pitches. Creating a foundation for musical representation, works became recordable. From the Pythagorean scale and simple mathematical calculations, different scales or modes were developed. "The Dorian, Lydian, Locrian, and Ecclesiastical modes were all developed from the foundation of Pythagoras." (Johnston, 1989). "The basic foundations of musical education are based on the various modes of scalar relationships." (Ferrara, 1991). Pythagoras' discoveries created a starting point for structured music. From this, diverse educational schemes were created upon basic themes. Pythagoras and his mathematics created the foundation for musical education as it is now known.


What is the mathematical name for the number sign?

There are various names for the # sign, commonly known as the number sign - similar to the musical sharp sign - one of the most common in technical senses in telephony and computing is the octothorpe.


When was Calculus the Musical created?

Calculus the Musical was created in 2006.


What is a set of musical lines?

staff A set of musical lines is called a staff or musical staff; more than one set; i.e. plural , would be staves. A set of musical lines is called a staff or musical staff; more than one set; i.e. plural , would be staves.


What is a chord in math terms?

A series of notes sounded simulanteously- for example a C- Chord which is, on a Piano- fingered 1-3-5 starting at Middle C. Chord in Math might have to deal with a section of a bridge or an airplane wing- it has a different application than the musical sense. As music is mathematical- I have given the tonal variety first.

Related questions

The philosopher who discovered the numerical relationship of musical harmonies was?

Pythagoras of Samos discovered the numerical relationship of musical harmonies.


How did Pythagoras discover musical intervals?

Cause


What is the musical intervals of 8 tones?

octave


What is a musical or mathematical term?

Scale


Who is the Greek mathematician developing idea of musical intervals?

Pythagoras


What are the release dates for Young People's Concerts Musical Atoms - A Study of Intervals - 1965 TV?

Young People's Concerts Musical Atoms - A Study of Intervals - 1965 TV was released on: USA: 29 November 1965


The oldest playable musical instruments were discovered in and are thought to be between 7000 and 9000 years old.?

The oldest playable musical instrument were discovered in China.


What has the author Hilda Jaus written?

Hilda Jaus has written: 'The tail of Treble Clef Cat' -- subject(s): Juvenile literature, Musical intervals and scales, Musical notation


What is the measurement for interval?

Time! A change between two points in time is the interval, sometimes referred to in engineering terms "delta."-InThree21


What has the author Michael Henry Paul written?

Michael Henry Paul has written: 'Twelve-note scales for keyboard instruments' -- subject(s): Musical intervals and scales, Tuning, Musical temperament


What is a musical notation using numbers to indicate chords intervals and other aspects in relation to the bass note of the music?

Figured Bass


What has the author David E Creese written?

David E. Creese has written: 'The monochord in ancient Greek harmonic science' -- subject(s): History, Musical intervals and scales, Music theory, Monochord 'The monochord in ancient Greek harmonic science' -- subject(s): Musical intervals and scales, Music theory, Monochord, History