Music, Math & Models

Not one of my guitars, though this girl did once publicly say she wanted to be my b--- j-- queen.

Taylor 814CE. This and my Martin D28 are my go-to guitars. This has a cutaway so if I am playing up the neck I use it.

Taylor 714. No pickguard, so it's only for fingerstyle.

Pickguards are for sissies.

Final gratuitous guitar shot. Because you expect it.

I've said a few times that music is math. I've also said a few times that I'm a Chinese jet pilot and that Halle Berry wants to bear my children so it's hard to tell when you people take me seriously and when you don't.

But let's go back to this music is math stuff. On that part I'm not kidding. At the end of the day, a lot of things can be math, including music and supermodels. A few months ago I did an article on how Phi, the famously named Golden Ratio, could even tell us who would be a supermodel. Despite the presence of excellent science, humor, Elle MacPherson, Carol Alt, Heidi Klum and a poll, that article got 7 votes.

And yet I continue to write.

In that article I mentioned the golden ratio in music, namely that the octave, fifth, and major and minor sixths are ratios of consecutive numbers of the Fibonacci* sequence, making them the closest low integer ratios to the golden ratio. But that doesn't make a ton of sense until we get a little more basic, mostly because math doesn't exist in the real world, it isn't a hard science like physics.

So we'll figure out how math is music but first we'll show how music is physics. And, in proper Attention Whore fashion, I can show off some of my guitars.

As a stringed instrument the guitar shares common harmonics with all of the other stringed instruments. What makes the guitar different in sound from the others are shape, materials, the nature of the strings - oh, and being in the hands of Eric Johnson.

Because a guitar string is elastic and fixed at both ends, it creates waves. It doesn't matter so much what waves are but if you want to know, a wave is the frequency times the length of the wave.

v = f x λ

Let's talk about the speed of that wave, v. That v is determined by string tension and linear mass density (mass/length) µ, measured in kg/m. Here's the concept you need to know to figure out how a string will make specific sounds:

The wavelength of a standing wave on a guitar string is twice the distance between the bridge and the fret.

Guitar strings are basically the same so you have to vary the tension and the size of the strings if you want cool sounds. You have to vary both because if you only varied the tension, for example, the high strings would be tight and the low strings would be loose. It's just better for playing to have all of the strings with the same tension (T ).

Some mathematical magic: the strings are a perfect fourth apart in pitch ( except for the G and B, 4th and 5th strings counting from the top down ) so any monkey can calculate how much the mass density ( µ ) has to increase between strings for the tension ( T ) to remain constant. Even Al Gore can't get this one wrong. So here is the only math you need to know:

v = square root of (T/µ)

You then make individual notes by using the frets. The ratio of the widths of two frets is the 12th root of 2, about 1.059. The twelfth fret divides the string in two exact halves. Every twelve frets represents one octave. So that's how guitar makers know where to place the frets based on the size of the neck.

I guess that's enough gorey detail for Part I but for Part II we can talk about harmonics and the way they translate physics into the math in this whole 'music is math' concept.

* I also mentioned that "The Fibonacci" is the name of Adam Hobson's favorite sexual position. Still: 7 votes.

33 Votes
Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.

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127

{"commentId":675091,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

I have 10 guitars so vote for this article or I will keep writing this stuff.

{"commentId":675091,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

8 votes

#1 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:27 AM EDT

{"commentId":679510,"authorDomain":"incredulous"}

The Incredulous One

Not one of my guitars, though this girl did once publicly say she wanted to be my b--- j-- queen.

And you're not gonna tell us about the coronation?

The wavelength of a standing wave on a guitar string is twice the distance between the bridge and the fret.

only for the first harmonic

Final gratuitous guitar shot.

nice piece of axe

{"commentId":679510,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"incredulous"}

2 votes

#1.1 - Wed May 2, 2007 3:28 AM EDT

{"commentId":679909,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

Not one of my guitars, though this girl did once publicly say she wanted to be my b--- j-- queen.

And you're not gonna tell us about the coronation?

It never came to pass. After PJ Harvey sang that, the line of men waiting to test her indie babe credibility was so long it could be seen from Mars. I hate lines.

{"commentId":679909,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

1 vote

#1.2 - Wed May 2, 2007 10:06 AM EDT

{"commentId":675358,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}

Cash, great piece! Music IS math. I know a couple of muscians who are quite talented, but who suck at math. I suppose they just suck at traditional math and unbeknownst to them, their brains are indeed mathematical.

I am also interested in the Circle of Fifths. I would like to see something about this vein of musical theory. I have an idea for a kid's book explaining the C of F in an easy to understand way.

{"commentId":675358,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"smackcover"}

8 votes

#2 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:50 AM EDT

{"commentId":675381,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

Viki Babbles Gonia

With my vote, you're now up to 7, so with any luck you might get up to 9 by the end of the day.

You big vote whore.

{"commentId":675381,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

6 votes

#3 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:00 AM EDT

{"commentId":675463,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

Sam, I'll cover that next time because counting is easy for everyone. Kids do it naturally. Okay musicians memorize scales but great musicians count ahead and figure out where they want to go based on the circle of fifths.

VB, it still says 7! I was talking about that old article. Do votes even increase for old articles? I assumed I would get more than 7 for this one because people don't want to hear me @!$%# or write ridiculous "I am leaving ..." articles.

But I am a total whore. Thanks for noticing.

{"commentId":675463,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

7 votes

#3.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:38 AM EDT

{"commentId":675475,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

Viki Babbles Gonia

I knew you were talking about the old article. I was trying to point out that this one will beat it. I don't think votes increase for old articles.

And, now this one is up to 9! Yeah!

I'd comment on the article, but I stopped reading when I got to the word 'math." Then I just skipped around and read anything that looked like it wasn't talking about math and looked at all the pictures.

{"commentId":675475,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

5 votes

#3.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:43 AM EDT

{"commentId":675534,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

I wish I had better ones but the level of attention whores primping I require to allow my picture to be taken is rather high, so the spontaneous ones like this are rare.

{"commentId":675534,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

4 votes

#3.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:12 AM EDT

{"commentId":675501,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}

Yes Cash --- you are a total attention whore. In your comment above, you left out the word "attention".

I haven't had time to visit your new AW group, but I promise to make time this week!

{"commentId":675501,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"smackcover"}

5 votes

#4 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:54 AM EDT

{"commentId":675537,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

Oh yeah, attention whore. That's what I meant.

{"commentId":675537,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

5 votes

#4.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:13 AM EDT

{"commentId":675711,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}

spiffie

Wait, wait. If I want you to keep writing, I should not comment or vote, right?

{"commentId":675711,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"spiffie"}

3 votes

#5 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":675717,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

I'm unsure. I think votes are good.

But, yeah, clearly I keep writing this @!$%# in some inane desire for the approval of strangers so maybe even going a step further and using the ! to vote it out of existence would really motivate me!

I don't know why that last one only got 7 votes. It had much hotter chicks.

{"commentId":675717,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

5 votes

#5.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:31 PM EDT

{"commentId":675762,"authorDomain":"Lisalabarre"}

Lisa La Barre

Just voted! Enjoyed it immensely!

{"commentId":675762,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"Lisalabarre"}

5 votes

#6 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":675953,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

LL Cool B ... many thanks. It's actually quite difficult writing these things so they aren't gobbledy-gook and positive reinforcement is always nice.

{"commentId":675953,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

7 votes

#6.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:23 PM EDT

{"commentId":676076,"authorDomain":"chill888"}

Would attaching a sound file helped or hurt this article?

I am three to four times as old as you and a guitar newbie - too much fun - my voice is almost as good as Neil Young's - the guitar playing needs work.

I am a math genius but your equations were tough for me as I really wanted to know how to grow a 6th finger so I can play some advanced chords

{"commentId":676076,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"chill888"}

7 votes

#7 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:01 PM EDT

{"commentId":676087,"authorDomain":"chill888"}

dont get me wrong, I clippped the equations for once I get past all my four chord neil young goodness

{"commentId":676087,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"chill888"}

7 votes

#7.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":676125,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

I can attach sound files in part 2 if you want to hear things like tonics or the harmonics. I don't know how you tune, I assume you use a chromatic tuner, but you can be a lot more accurate using harmonics than you can trying to memorize E, for example, by ear.

Anyone who wants to hear me sing or play has to provide email proof they are a hot chick. I am not posting a URL to any of my stuff publicly. Like I need that abuse.

You, my friend, are welcome to link to your Neil Young awesomeness at any time, of course.

{"commentId":676125,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

3 votes

#7.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":676238,"authorDomain":"chill888"}

You, my friend, are welcome to link to your Neil Young awesomeness at any time, of course.

that is the definition of TOOOO generous - maybe next year - but i am happily playing and singing - and you know what - my wife makes requests (great wife - if a little deaf)

{"commentId":676238,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"chill888"}

2 votes

#7.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":676244,"authorDomain":"chill888"}

I tune my guitar with software and my ear - flawed - but there are MUCH bigger flaws involved in my playing "FOUR DEAD IN OHIO"

{"commentId":676244,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"chill888"}

2 votes

#7.4 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:55 PM EDT

{"commentId":676142,"authorDomain":"baxter"}

Tim Baxter

Cash, ya lost me at Eric Johnson, but still a nice article.

{"commentId":676142,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"baxter"}

4 votes

#8 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:22 PM EDT

{"commentId":676158,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

Tim, my friend, I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness. Here you go.

The man is obsessed with precision tune, right down to the batteries he uses in his switches. And he does things with it that stupify me.

{"commentId":676158,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

5 votes

#8.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":676205,"authorDomain":"baxter"}

Tim Baxter

Oh, I know who he is. I'm just not particularly impressed by him (although I do acknowledge he's a far better player than I'll ever be). Feel free to curse.

I'm also always a bit amused by the whole concept of precision tune in regards to the guitar, as it's inherently going to be just slightly off at some place or another, despite efforts like the Buzz Feiten system or Gretsch's "Tempered Treble".

{"commentId":676205,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"baxter"}

3 votes

#8.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:41 PM EDT

{"commentId":676254,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

No, I have guitarists like more but I was thinking about tone when I wrote this. There are guys that are just plain better, like EVH, or with rhythm so precise I can stick a metronome up to them and never lose the beat, like Joe Perry ... but for pure tone obsession and hearing Johnson always seemed to be out in a place of his own.

{"commentId":676254,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

1 vote

#8.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":676277,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}

it's hard to tell when you people take me seriously and when you don't.

Hmm....I wonder....Cash-boy, who's fault that is??? :)

{"commentId":676277,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"smackcover"}

3 votes

#9 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:11 PM EDT

{"commentId":676321,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

I guess I shouldn't mix fact, like the fact that Halle Berry totally wants me, in with fiction, like that "I am a Chinese jet pilot" stuff? Is that what you are saying?

And what is this 'Cash-boy' business? Are you trying to get your ass kicked?

{"commentId":676321,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

2 votes

#9.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:32 PM EDT

{"commentId":676539,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}

Cash, not trying to get my ass kicked. Just trying to get attention, as usual.

{"commentId":676539,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"smackcover"}

2 votes

#9.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":676554,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

Oh. I will withdraw the ass kickin' then. Have a song instead*:

"Samantha's articles are the best in the land,
I try to enjoy them whenever I can,
No need to miss them, no reason to whine,
I just click on my browser and go to Newsvine."

There. Your very own song. Feel better now???**

*No, I will not actually sing it for you.
**You totally love me at this moment.

{"commentId":676554,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

4 votes

#9.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:56 PM EDT

{"commentId":676572,"authorDomain":"Nycam"}

How about

Cash is wooing Sam with antics

But the rhymes can seem pedantic

when making time you should be cautious

the rest of us you're making nauseous.

{"commentId":676572,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"Nycam"}

5 votes

#9.4 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:14 PM EDT

{"commentId":676683,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}

Nycam, I'm surprised at you and your poem of sorts. I remember a time when.....

{"commentId":676683,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"smackcover"}

2 votes

#9.5 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":676688,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}

Cash, please please please record it for me!!!!

{"commentId":676688,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"smackcover"}

2 votes

#9.6 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:04 PM EDT

{"commentId":676824,"authorDomain":"Nycam"}

Huh. I feel like yesterday's newsvinepaper. *kicks at sand*
*wonders what sand is doing on berber carpet.*

{"commentId":676824,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"Nycam"}

4 votes

#9.7 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":676891,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}

Nycam, do you remember? No sand kicking! Get the vacuum and clean that Berber! Now, go vote for me for 'hottest'.

{"commentId":676891,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"smackcover"}

3 votes

#9.8 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:23 PM EDT

{"commentId":676934,"authorDomain":"Nycam"}

Voting Samantha "hottest" is like setting fire to your jacket to get more heat out of it. It just shouldn't be done. It isn't safe that you know how hot you are. Your haughty heat has habaneros huddling, your fiery bad self can consume cunning creatures; being within your influence can melt mettle and resolve .... whoops, said too much already.

{"commentId":676934,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"Nycam"}

6 votes

#9.9 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":676952,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

Viki Babbles Gonia

Um...cold shower time, Nycam? ;)

{"commentId":676952,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

5 votes

#9.10 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":676972,"authorDomain":"Nycam"}

Um, cold beer is more like it (#^#)

{"commentId":676972,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"Nycam"}

3 votes

#9.11 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":677384,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}

Nycam: above when I kept writing "I remember a time when" I was trying to compose a clever poem, but alas, I suck at poetry. Your poem is cute! How do you guys come up with stuff like that on a dime?

{"commentId":677384,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"smackcover"}

2 votes

#9.12 - Tue May 1, 2007 8:25 AM EDT

{"commentId":677516,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

Alcohol and magic.

{"commentId":677516,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

3 votes

#9.13 - Tue May 1, 2007 10:06 AM EDT

{"commentId":679320,"authorDomain":"Nycam"}

I was going to answer "absence of suckitude" but Cash's reply fits easier on a bumper sticker.

{"commentId":679320,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"Nycam"}

3 votes

#9.14 - Tue May 1, 2007 11:39 PM EDT

{"commentId":680890,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}

Nycam you are so funny. Good to see you around again!

{"commentId":680890,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"smackcover"}

2 votes

#9.15 - Wed May 2, 2007 4:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":681347,"authorDomain":"Nycam"}

And you, my dear, are so hard to ... write about. Ow. Sorry, my keyboard keeps lifting up somehow.
lol

{"commentId":681347,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"Nycam"}

4 votes

#9.16 - Wed May 2, 2007 7:21 PM EDT

{"commentId":681402,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}

OMG! (Covers her mouth with her hands with eyes wide open)!!!!

{"commentId":681402,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"smackcover"}

2 votes

#9.17 - Wed May 2, 2007 7:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":681414,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

Attention, people ( not your kind of at attention, NYCam):

The only sexual objectification in my column will be done by me.

That is all.

{"commentId":681414,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

2 votes

#9.18 - Wed May 2, 2007 8:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":682465,"authorDomain":"Nycam"}

Objectify away, Cash. I came, I saw, I posted. MUCH smarter now.

{"commentId":682465,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"Nycam"}

1 vote

#9.19 - Thu May 3, 2007 11:41 AM EDT

{"commentId":676447,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}

Walt D

This article has almost everything I hold dear in life: music, hot chicks, guitars.... if there had been just one rubber chicken, this would be my Bible! One thing, though..

the strings are a perfect fourth apart in pitch

You clearly have never heard me 4 or 5 songs into a set!

{"commentId":676447,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}

6 votes

#10 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":676555,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

This article is chicken worthy?? I am actually speechless. And kinda humbled.

{"commentId":676555,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

5 votes

#10.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:57 PM EDT

{"commentId":676561,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}

Walt D

It's getting there... cover the mechanics of overtones and subharmonics and you may be the next recipient of Dr Frank (if Zaki ever gives him up). I'd love to see a pic of him getting spanked by Lady Scientist. Sheila might notbe too keen on the idea....

{"commentId":676561,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}

4 votes

#10.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:04 PM EDT

{"commentId":677182,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

You'd better retrieve Dr. Frank quick. Zaki is in some kind of death roll with those NY Times people. He doesn't know who he's messing with. JFK, Sadat, Carrot Top - they were behind it all.

{"commentId":677182,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

4 votes

#10.3 - Tue May 1, 2007 2:45 AM EDT

{"commentId":679018,"authorDomain":"ansab"}

Ansab

You seem like an absolute expert on this wonderful instrument. Perhaps you should be the one to guide me to become a Guitar God and I'm sure you'll do a much better job than Walt D. I am getting nowhere with his 'training' and could use the skills of someone so much more talented.

{"commentId":679018,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"ansab"}

3 votes

#10.4 - Tue May 1, 2007 9:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":679253,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

Ansab, I am happy to help. Please provide webcam proof that you are a ( human ) supermodel.

{"commentId":679253,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

3 votes

#10.5 - Tue May 1, 2007 11:07 PM EDT

{"commentId":680185,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}

Walt D

Ouch, Ansab! You do realize the simulated flame war is over, right? Or are you serious?

{"commentId":680185,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}

4 votes

#10.6 - Wed May 2, 2007 12:14 PM EDT

{"commentId":676810,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

When Claus first made his writing challenge he had something that evoked a similar theme, because I only wrote one article before dropping out and it was about my lack of true appreciation for classical music until I read the book Godel, Escher and Bach. It came out in like 1979 and I was grownup and off on a career by then but always felt that there was something that musicians "got" that never made sense to me.

It's a pretty heady book and I'd be lying if I said I understood all the theories and analysis but it is more of what you have begun to unravel here and for anyone who wants to even poke at the subject, it's a good thing to nibble at even if you can't digest the whole book. Great minds think alike Cash, Douglas Hofstadter would be proud of the article, no guess on the final guitar!

{"commentId":676810,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

3 votes

#11 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":677174,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

I haven't read the book but I am going to check it out. Regarding musicians getting it, they really do, and in a way science can't describe. I have been playing guitar for almost 30 years and I am functionally a good guitarist just through attrition, though not really a talented one - but when I saw some 15 year old Korean kid play Pacobel's Canon in D on YouTube I knew he was already better than I ever was or will be.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hofstadter didn't get much of a thrill out of that final guitar. It was the best I could find and stay PG. So it was either her or me standing there. I made the right choice in that regard.

{"commentId":677174,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

4 votes

#11.1 - Tue May 1, 2007 2:37 AM EDT

{"commentId":681829,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

You really will enjoy the book and it makes you feel smarter just seeing the correlations. It's funny for me to see all my kids are musical, all play piano, one plays violin too and only one great at math and he always goes for the complex stuff like the theme for Mario Brothers. I used to think he picked those just to be annoying so we could listen to the infernal repetition when the games were off but when he finally moved to the online gaming and was a WOW uber something and still playing the arcade tunes I finally believed it was about the progressions having a symmetry he loved not just annoying me and his sisters. He teases me now that I should have known he didn't need the piano to drive us bonkers; it's on the Y chromosome!

{"commentId":681829,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

2 votes

#11.2 - Thu May 3, 2007 1:58 AM EDT

{"commentId":676827,"authorDomain":"OnlyKnownSurvivor"}

Only Known SurvivorDeleted

{"commentId":676993,"authorDomain":"PrimarySources"}

Synthesis

Hey, Cash, great article.

You've inspired me, I think, to attempt an overview on the links between math, music and alchemy. The theory goes something like this: both math and music are essentially symbolic representations of states of reality; alchemy is really just an attempt by man to manipulate his surroundings, so music is one of the more powerful tools in the alchemical toolbox, since it (more demonstrably than most) has vivid and immediate impacts (music hath charms to soothe the savage beast, and all that).

This may sound outlandish, but that's why it will take a full article to explain. There really is some sound theory behind it, but as you noted upthread, it'll take some work to have it come across as other than gobbleydegook.

Anyway, great piece, and thanks for the inspiration!

{"commentId":676993,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"PrimarySources"}

3 votes

#13 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":677012,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

Music, Symbolism, Magic and Manipulation.

I can't wait to read it!

{"commentId":677012,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

3 votes

#13.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:55 PM EDT

{"commentId":683976,"authorDomain":"PrimarySources"}

Synthesis

OK, you asked for it:

{"commentId":683976,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"PrimarySources"}

3 votes

#13.2 - Thu May 3, 2007 10:15 PM EDT

{"commentId":677196,"authorDomain":"indelible"}

indelible inc.

Good article Cash, I love anything that has guitars and babes in it though...so you get my vote by default.

Next time I want to see an article explaining the formula and ratio of playing the guitar (and the degree of skill) to being offered sex by random hot chicks. There's a formula in there somewhere for sure. Everyone picks up the guitar for the first time so they can get laid. That's fact.

{"commentId":677196,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"indelible"}

4 votes

#14 - Tue May 1, 2007 3:05 AM EDT

{"commentId":677524,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

Everyone plays guitar in high school so I took up the drums and only played guitar sporadically. It only took seeing a guy go out on the lawn with a guitar one time and the resultant whoosh of feminity toward him to abandon the drums.

I swear, these things are like blocks of cocaine surrounded by diamond-encrusted tiaras for hot chicks.

{"commentId":677524,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

3 votes

#14.1 - Tue May 1, 2007 10:10 AM EDT

{"commentId":677224,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

This has got a good beat and I can dance to it though I have no idea what you're talking about. My eyes went glassy when you got to the equations. It did remind me, though, of the time I tried to teach pi while substitute teaching. The students insisted that I had mispelled the word "pie."

{"commentId":677224,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

2 votes

#15 - Tue May 1, 2007 4:30 AM EDT

{"commentId":677534,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

'Most embarrassing math moments' would be a pretty good article. I'm on it. Though I still need to finish 'Bugs Bunny & Beer Part II' and 'Science and Scream Queens' before I do it.

{"commentId":677534,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

2 votes

#15.1 - Tue May 1, 2007 10:14 AM EDT

{"commentId":681155,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

This is a great piece. I don't have anything brilliant to add but did want to let you know that as part of a new effort I'm starting to point the spotlight on great Newsvine articles I pointed attention in your direction.

{"commentId":681155,"threadId":"98827","contentId":"691823","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

3 votes

#16 - Wed May 2, 2007 5:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":681273,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}