Posters

Fibonacci In Music

Student Author Information

Jacob SharpFollow

Location

Hall Memorial Ballroom

Access Type

Campus Access Only

Start Date

4-4-2018 12:00 PM

Department

Music

Abstract

Leonardo Fibonacci (c. 1175 – c. 1250), an Italian mathematician, created different equations and sequences that have influenced different disciplines and have shifted them in directions not applicable before. With the intent of improving music pedagogy, the purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of mathematics on music composition and analysis. The problems of this study were to identify the mathematical principals that make up the Golden Ratio and Fibonacci Sequence; to ascertain composers who utilized these mathematical principles as a method of composition; to analyze mathematical principals found in Piano Sonata No. 2 in F Major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) and Reflets Dans L’eau by Claude Debussy (1862 -1918); and to create an original composition utilizing these mathematical principals.

“F(n)=F(n-1)+F(n-2) where F(0)=0 and F(1)=1” describes the Fibonacci Sequence while the phi equation describes the Golden ratio. Composers such as Debussy, Mozart intentionally use the techniques while many others do not. In the pieces analyzed, Mozart utilized the technique through form, while Debussy used it through intervals. My composition utilized the technique through the chordal progressions and the intervals. Through researching the topic, many composers have employed the techniques and made the principles the basis of their styles.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Cynthia Ramsey

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Apr 4th, 12:00 PM

Fibonacci In Music

Hall Memorial Ballroom

Leonardo Fibonacci (c. 1175 – c. 1250), an Italian mathematician, created different equations and sequences that have influenced different disciplines and have shifted them in directions not applicable before. With the intent of improving music pedagogy, the purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of mathematics on music composition and analysis. The problems of this study were to identify the mathematical principals that make up the Golden Ratio and Fibonacci Sequence; to ascertain composers who utilized these mathematical principles as a method of composition; to analyze mathematical principals found in Piano Sonata No. 2 in F Major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) and Reflets Dans L’eau by Claude Debussy (1862 -1918); and to create an original composition utilizing these mathematical principals.

“F(n)=F(n-1)+F(n-2) where F(0)=0 and F(1)=1” describes the Fibonacci Sequence while the phi equation describes the Golden ratio. Composers such as Debussy, Mozart intentionally use the techniques while many others do not. In the pieces analyzed, Mozart utilized the technique through form, while Debussy used it through intervals. My composition utilized the technique through the chordal progressions and the intervals. Through researching the topic, many composers have employed the techniques and made the principles the basis of their styles.