Mathematics & Music

Bob Janes presents Mathematics and Music. There are many strong connections between mathematics and music that can be adapted to fit classrooms from middle school through secondary education. In this talk, we will focus on three key aspects. First, we will look at sound as a sine wave and discuss how complex sounds are created through function addition. Next, we will discuss how various musical scales possess both rational and irrational qualities. Finally, we will explore how composers can use translations to create variations on a theme. Throughout the talk, we will link all of these topics back to Common Core Standards and do a little bit of math along the way. If you teach within a music, arts, or physics themed environment; want a new angle to approach concepts; need an independent study for a particular student; or just like music and math then this is for you!