Playing Music *
*Note: This is an abbreviated Project Idea, without notes to start your background research, a specific list of materials, or a procedure for how to do the experiment. You can identify abbreviated Project Ideas by the asterisk at the end of the title. If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk.
Abstract
Music has many mathematical elements in it: rhythm, pitch, scale, frequency, interval, and ratio. There are many ways to turn these elements into a science fair project. You can investigate how the scale is based upon a special type of number sequence called a Harmonic Series. Another scale used by Bach, called the "Well-Tempered-Scale" or the "Equal-Tempered-Scale", is based upon a series. How are these mathematical series and ratios related to notes, chords, intervals, and octaves? You can show how these concepts are applied to generating discreet notes and pitches with different instruments. You can also investigate rhythm and time in music: can you find a way to represent your favorite rhythms numerically?Share your story with Science Buddies!
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Cite This Page
General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.MLA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
"Playing Music." Science Buddies,
23 Mar. 2018,
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Math_p034/pure-mathematics/playing-music.
Accessed 18 Mar. 2019.
APA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
(2018, March 23).
Playing Music.
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Math_p034/pure-mathematics/playing-music
Last edit date: 2018-03-23
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Ask an Expert
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Related Links
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Any time you hear music at a concert, a live speech, the police sirens in a TV show, or the six o'clock news you're hearing the work of a sound engineering technician. Sound engineering technicians operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in recording studios, sporting arenas, theater productions, or movie and video productions. Read moreNews Feed on This Topic
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