Does the knowledge of mathematics and acoustics help music creation? Dose it harmful to artist's soul and emotions?
Dear Carlos and Mohammad, I think we can all agree that theoretic knowledge in acoustics and mathematics might be useful for a musician or composer, but is it necessary? I would argue no. Also, I am not sure Pierre Schaeffer and other pioneers in musique concrete paid much attention to mathematics or physics when splicing up tapes with field recordings. Knowledge of physical phenomenon may be useful in arts but is it necessary? Does a painter need to know the light spectrum to paint? Does a dancer need to know anatomy to move? Or a singer to sing? Yes, it might be helpful, but necessary? To the second part of your question, Mohammad, if this knowledge can hinder inspiration, I believe if we get too absorbed in theory, yes it might.
Dear Mohammad,
Here is a similar discussion.
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Must_a_musician_know_about_physics_and_mathematics?_tpcectx=qa_overview_following&_trid=VGtDHf1kQ2tydd2lGxel0V0g_
You should watch video of famous nobelist Richard Feynman on this subject. Here is a segment of the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRmbwczTC6E
He explains his wise view on the perception of beauty of scientists vs artist.
Dear Dibakar Pal, I strongly disagree with your comment that a muscician is "talanted" and "gifted", and a person "gets it by birth". Do you have any studies to support such theories? And, although rhythm might be explained mathematically, rhythm and maths are not synonymous. I do agree that a musician doeas not need to know neither maths or acoustics (or physics) theoretically, but might apply learned knowledge whiles playing.
The knowledge of acoustics and mathematics is important for a musician.
Allow to know and explain a series of phenomena associated with the perception of the sound/music, musical performance and musical composition.
Depending on the type of musical composition, the mathematical knowledge can be associated to pure inspirations.
Dear Carlos, can you elaborate on why the knowledge is important per se?
I agree with Carlos that depending on the type of music and nature of musical genre and the approach of the musician in his/her creation process one may benefits from math and physics; concrete music is an example of that.
Dear Mats,
Just as an example in the context of the phenomena associated with the perception of the sound /music, the musical consonance can be interpreted in the area of acoustics/mathematics.
The perfect musical intervals (octave, 2: 1, fifth, 3: 2, and fourth, 4: 3) correspond to frequency relations of small integers. These consonant intervals are among the first harmonics (frequency components) of a sound.
Dear Carlos and Mohammad, I think we can all agree that theoretic knowledge in acoustics and mathematics might be useful for a musician or composer, but is it necessary? I would argue no. Also, I am not sure Pierre Schaeffer and other pioneers in musique concrete paid much attention to mathematics or physics when splicing up tapes with field recordings. Knowledge of physical phenomenon may be useful in arts but is it necessary? Does a painter need to know the light spectrum to paint? Does a dancer need to know anatomy to move? Or a singer to sing? Yes, it might be helpful, but necessary? To the second part of your question, Mohammad, if this knowledge can hinder inspiration, I believe if we get too absorbed in theory, yes it might.
This is a great question. From what has already been observed, there are many possible responses. In addition to the helpful responses already given, there is a bit more to add.
There is a journal of mathematics and music:
https://www.researchgate.net/journal/1745-9737_Journal_of_Mathematics_and_Music
More to the point, see
Mathematics and group theory in music
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264160700_Mathematics_and_group_theory_in_music
Relationship between Mathematics and Music: Systematization of contents according to the Programs of Mathematics from 5th to 12th grades of Portuguese Education
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297214143_Relationship_between_Mathematics_and_Music_Systematization_of_contents_according_to_the_Programs_of_Mathematics_from_5th_to_12th_grades_of_Portuguese_Education
In addition, learning music is a good way to improve one's mathematics skills:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266318346_The_learning_of_music_as_a_means_to_improve_mathematical_skills
Article Mathematics and group theory in music
Conference Paper Relationship between Mathematics and Music: Systematization ...
Conference Paper The learning of music as a means to improve mathematical skills
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