Music, like many aspects of our world, intertwines both art and science. In my exploration of philosophy and the nature of existence, I recognize that music embodies harmony and mathematical proportions, connecting it profoundly to the sciences, particularly mathematics.

The principles of music — rhythm, melody, and harmony — can be analyzed analytically, revealing connections to the natural world and to the intellect. Just as the sages of the Hebrew tradition sought to understand the divine through reasoned thought, so too can one approach music with scientific inquiry.

However, music also transcends pure rationality, engaging the soul and evoking deep emotions. This duality makes it a complex discipline, rich with both scientific principles and artistic expression. It serves as a bridge between the intellect and the spirit, uniting both in the quest for understanding and beauty.

Ultimately, one must appreciate that while music can be studied scientifically, its essence often lies beyond the realm of mere logic, revealing truths about the human experience Alwielland Q. Bello that are deeply felt.

Dear Alwielland Q. Bello,

There is a saying that mathematics is not a science, mathematics is a language. I agree with this, since mathematics has dissolved in other sciences, where modeling is carried out using mathematical models. If we compare music and mathematics, then there is much in common and from this point of view I do not consider music a science, and just like mathematics, I see music as a universal language. With the help of music, you can convey emotions that cannot be conveyed by any other means and words. But I agree that music can be created using mathematical structures and in this regard, for example, the music of J.S. Bach is mathematical music with strict rules of harmony and polyphony, which were possibly created from the mathematical structures created by Bach in his brain. I myself am interested in creating such a theory to create music with given properties using mathematical models and I think that this is quite possible. But this is still a process, although a very interesting process. The goal is to create such an optimization model so that its solution leads to the output result as the creation of music with given properties. In conclusion, I would like to note that the overwhelming majority of Nobel Prize winners had a musical education, and this suggests that music played an important role here.

How do you define music?

If music is any sweet, pleasing, or meaningful sound, then it is very complex. Human interpretation of meaning is subjective, cultural.

But if we are talking about written music, then it is simple. The rules are well-known and generally accepted. They come from the mathematical rule about the 12th root of 2, not from western civilization.

The free language of written music is infinite but the number of vibrational states on musical instruments is finite.

Perhaps a related question might be useful: Why did the evolution of music writing and instrumentation stop on common tonal practice? I think the saxophone is the most recently invented instrument and that was more than a 100 years ago.

Humans like to believe they invented music, like the sun going around the earth, but I think the merely discovered there isn't any better system than 12 tones to the octave.

What are the chances that a new tonal system will be invented in the future? Zero.