Embedded Files
In music, what often makes a piece sounds beautiful is the harmonies written in it. Harmonization happens when two notes are played at the same it. It will sound the best when the two notes match. What makes these notes match is the frequency. Frequencies are the vibrations in the air. These frequencies follow a ratio that creates harmonies. A ratio of 4-5-6 creates a major chord, or a chord that sounds happy.
Another thing that has to be done in order to make harmonies sound correct is to make sure each instrument is in tune with one another. At first many believed that in order to tune something you simply needed to follow a 3:2 ratio and it would be fine. This does work for perfect fifth intervals, but as music became more complicated, they ran into more problems. The solution was found in irrational numbers. Because of the use of irrational numbers, a ratio can no longer be used, but instruments can be in tune.
To make any musical sound, math is involved. A prime example is plucking stings. Whether you stop at 1/3 or 1/2, each one creates a different noise and musicians have figured out where each one is placed for each note. For example, if one wants to play an octave, the multiple how far up or down the string they are by 1/2 to go up an octave and multiply by 2/1 to go down an octave.
This video explains the frequency of music as well as how certain notes are able to go together. Watch to learn more.
This page was created by Carolyn B.
Report abuse