While math and music each correlate to opposite sides of the brain, the two can sometimes come together to reveal interesting information. For example, listening to music while doing math has been proven to help students learn, and any musician knows that music can be stripped back to patterns, timing, and formulae.
Music can be considered both an art and a science because it applies the principles and logic of math. However, rather than using numbers, it uses sounds, pitch, and tempo.
So what does this suggest when it comes to what math can teach students about music?
Seeing in numbers
Numbers are one of the most important elements of music. This is because music is divided into sections called measures, and measures are divided into equal amounts of beats. Not only does this use the mathematical principle of division, but it also relates directly to reading music too, because all musical notes have numerical connections.
Math could help students with musical performance
Research has linked mathematical achievement with musical training, but this is an area of study that is still very much in its infancy. It also of course depends on the socio-economic background of the child and whether they are likely to have access to musical instruments and lessons.
The Mozart effect
As much as math might be able to tell you about music, things get interesting when you flip the scenario on its head. Music has been shown throughout history to aid with concentration, cognitive ability, and even to help math students form shapes in their mind.
This is commonly explored through the ‘Mozart Effect’, a phrase coined in 1991 which was subsequently followed by many theories that listening to classical music specifically can improve brain function.
Should I listen to music while doing math?
Some research on brain activities has shown that certain parts of the brain that are related to spatial-temporal reasoning and math problem-solving skills are activated when listening to music.
It is also true that music is fundamentally mathematical in terms of precision. There are also studies that point out better concentration while listening to music. Hence, listening to music may indeed help improve math skills and concentration.
A tangible result
By taking the knowledge that students acquire in math and applying it to musical performances, students can enjoy a tangible result which might appeal to the more kinaesthetic learners, or those who learn by doing. By having a musical performance element to a module, students will also be encouraged to perform in front of others and therefore be actively building their confidence and social skills.
How does music relate to math?
Music is basically a series of varying sound wave frequencies that collectively produce harmonics. Musical concepts such as harmony, melody, and rhythm have mathematical underpinnings.
In fact, musical notations such as fractional notes and their orderly arrangements on a music sheet are actually mathematical in nature. For example, the relational values between notes or chords can be arranged into major and minor keys, which may include semi-tonnes. This means that music has mathematical order that can be expressed in abstract notations that musicians can play in an instrument or sing.
Mathematical structure makes for good music
One of the most interesting things that math can tell us about music is how it can make people feel. In fact, tech brand Alba worked with Dr Jacob Jolij, an expert in cognitive neuroscience and emotion at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, to discover the mathematical formula for feel-good music, known as FGI (Feel Good Index). Some of the chart-topping hits discovered to have used this formula include Abba’s Dancing Queen and Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now.
In a similar vein, researchers at Bristol University in the UK claim to have developed the formula for scoring a hit song, by using variables such as length, tempo, beats per minute, and the complexity of the song.
Why are so many mathematicians also musicians?
There are many famous musicians who could credit their ability to a background in mathematics and science. A prime example is Brian May, the lead guitarist of Queen, who studied physics and mathematics at Imperial College London and is the author of A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud, as well as being one of the best guitarists in the world. Another example is Dan Snaith, who has the stage name Caribou and who also completed a Ph.D. in mathematics.
Allowing students to make this connection between STEM and the arts has the potential for unleashing and awakening new talents, passions...and maybe even a chart-topping artist!
Inspired? To get started with Arduino and take inspiration from music, the Arduino Student Kit contains a Musical Keyboard lesson, which uses an Arduino board to control the pitch and timing of different sounds to create music. Buy the kit from your country's distributor or from our store.