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> Are the people good at one also good at other? do mathematicians understand musical theory better than those that have no background in math Music and music

by Rochus 5y ago

> Are the people good at one also good at other? do mathematicians understand musical theory better than those that have no background in math Music and music theory are two different things. A person who is an expert in music theory is not necessarily a good musician and vice versa. There are approaches to music theory based on mathematics (see book list below); here at the latest, your assumption is likely to be correct, but hardly in general. Book list: Mathematics and Music - Composition, Perception, and Performance Musimathics Volume 1 and 2 Music and Mathematics - From Pythagoras to Fractals Mathematical and Computational Modeling of Tonality - Theory and Applications

rotten 5y ago
There is also "The Geometry of Musical Rhythm"
taubek 5y ago
Yeah, I meant music theory. Playing a music instrument is a skill that can be learned (if you have what it takes :) ).
- watwut 5y ago
  Music theory can be learned too. I mean, there is not other way how to get it then by learning.
  - Rochus 5y ago
    > Music theory can be learned too Sure, but it's an add on. Music theory is developed after the fact by analyzing music created by people who (mostly) didn't know the theory. It's a (more or less useful) means to understand what the original creator did.
    - nescioquid 5y ago
      For Western classical music, this is often claimed and is probably only a little true these days (e.g. Schenker is truly post facto, though illuminating). However, the theory really was deeply tied to the practice of composition and performance. One of the first exercises Mozart set his composition students was to write out various cadences. Likewise, Bach started his pupils with voice-leading. Theory was also needed for various forms of performance -- look at any manual on continuo playing (this is where the figures on roman numeral notation come from). Handel wrote a manual on continuo playing in which he touches on how to improvise a fugue!

by Rochus 5y ago

rotten 5y ago

There is also "The Geometry of Musical Rhythm"

taubek 5y ago

Yeah, I meant music theory. Playing a music instrument is a skill that can be learned (if you have what it takes :) ).

watwut 5y ago
Music theory can be learned too. I mean, there is not other way how to get it then by learning.
- Rochus 5y ago
  > Music theory can be learned too Sure, but it's an add on. Music theory is developed after the fact by analyzing music created by people who (mostly) didn't know the theory. It's a (more or less useful) means to understand what the original creator did.
  - nescioquid 5y ago
    For Western classical music, this is often claimed and is probably only a little true these days (e.g. Schenker is truly post facto, though illuminating). However, the theory really was deeply tied to the practice of composition and performance. One of the first exercises Mozart set his composition students was to write out various cadences. Likewise, Bach started his pupils with voice-leading. Theory was also needed for various forms of performance -- look at any manual on continuo playing (this is where the figures on roman numeral notation come from). Handel wrote a manual on continuo playing in which he touches on how to improvise a fugue!