Fractions and Rhythm!
Fractions in math can be seen as ½ or ¼. The time measure in music is placed at the beginning of a measure.
Like in the picture above. 3 over 4 is the time measure which tells you there is 3 beats in the measure. But the beats are counted as quarter notes.
The difference is, you can't reduce rhythms like you can reduce fractions. If you were to reduce a time measure, it wouldn't work and it wouldn't make sense.
Ratios to Intervals!
Another comparison is ratios to intervals. Ratios in math can be the differences between two numbers and/or the comparisons of two or more numbers. A ratio can be seen like 5:20. It could mean there are 5 boys to 20 girls in the class. Or that 5 lollipops of the 20 in the bag are green.
A interval is the distance two between notes. Like a D to an A would be a perfect fifth. Also, a C to an E would be a major 3rd.
They both describe the differences and comparisons to numbers. Ratios are the comparisons of NUMBERS. Intervals are the comparison of NOTES.
Summary!
Most people would agree that math is a difficult subject. Also, most people would agree that it would be extremely difficult to pick up an instrument and just start playing at a high level. In several ways, the two are very similar. Also in a way, that both take practice to get good at. You can go into the deepest part of music, music theory, music therapy, composition, or any part of music, and in the end of the day. Math is Music. Even to the smallest part of it, such as the vibrato on a string instrument could be an experiment in physics.
It takes math to be good at music, and it takes music to be good at math :)
Check out this video:
Sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3_YHVKcWvE&feature=related
Abraham Ashley
