Musical Structures

Catalog description

Mathematics and music are deeply connected disciplines, with math providing the underlying structure for the physics of sound, musical theory, and composition. Since the time of the ancient Greeks, thinkers have used mathematical principles to analyze and create music. This course will explore the mathematical principles inherent in music via analysis of works from the Renaissance through the present day. Specifically, students will calculate intervals from the lowest sounding voice, qualify dissonances, employ Roman numerical analysis, explore the expansion of the harmonic language through chromatic alteration and chord extensions (7, 9, 11, 13), and explore atonal structures. This course fulfills the requirements for Foundations Quantitative Literacy. Prerequisite: MUSC 151. QL