My 'show and tell' for our last class is a collection of five music recommendations that lend well to mathematical thinking. I think there is a large overlap in the Venn diagram of the musically and mathematically inclined. As an aspiring musician and math teacher, I hope to bring music into my teaching where I can. I know students connect with music in one way or another.
Caribou. This is the stage name for Canadian electronic artist, Dan Snaith, who holds a PhD in mathematics. I wonder how his mathematical thinking is manifested in his music. He started recording and releasing his music following his graduate studies.
- His most famous song, "Odessa": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiSa7THgxrI (I first heard this song in a car commercial about 10 years ago)
- I recommend the whole album, "Swim"
Protest the Hero. They are a Canadian progressive metal band. They are creative with unconventional time signatures. There is a sub-genre called mathcore, which is interesting for the math in the the odd time signatures and rhythmic patterns, however I don't find this music very listenable. Protest the Hero has some listenable music, to my ear.
- The song, "Bloodmeat", is in 15/16 time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfTabqkGLUQ
Karnivool. This is another metal band, that also explores various time signatures. They are from Australia.
- The song, "Cote", is in 15/4 time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUmARJ0o6Hw
Philip Glass. He is a minimalist composer, who is best-known for his solo piano music, however he has also written many film scores as well as an opera called "Einstein on the Beach".
- My favourite minimalist piece of his, "Mad Rush", on a CBC live performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q0G0-9E5SE
- Information on Einstein on the Beach: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einstein_on_the_Beach
Tigran Hamasyan. I save the best (at least in my opinion these days) for last. There are similar approaches to those in mathcore, however the music is predominantly minimalist piano music like that of Philip Glass. He writes pieces in the simplest of key signatures (4/4, where each measure has four beats and the quarter note is one of said beats) that sound remarkably complex. One example is 'Etude No. 1' where the left and right hand play out of sync from each other an only line up sync up a few times throughout the piece.
- The song is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmScqhDSJrI
- A great analysis is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ExeYBrriAg&t=56s
In summary, any music can be discussed in a mathematical concept and I have chosen these five for their uniqueness and immediate connection to math. This post has just touched on math and music in relation to time signatures, however there are plenty of other opportunities to discuss the mathematical meanings in music such as in pitch, timbre, and polyrhythms.
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