Posters
Fibonacci In Music
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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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.