Counting Music

Mathematics is ever-present in music, from composition to the design of the instruments used to perform it. Find out about how these two disciplines are linked and contribute your thoughts in discussion groups with our experts.

Talk patterns with Kevin Jones – in ragtime, Chinese music, Elgar or limericks. Then move to the 21st century with Nick Collins, who is programming computers to compose and perform music.

Hear from Robert Hunt about how a mathematical quirk in piano design has influenced Western classical music since the 16th century, and talk about the hidden differences between violins and tuning forks. Accompanying all will be Science Museum historical musical objects such as Savart’s apparatus and a composition slide rule.

Listen to, talk about and see some of the connections between maths and music in our dialogue-based event.

Event organised by:
The Science Museum

Speakers

Nick Collins, Lecturer in Music Informatics, University of Sussex
Kevin Jones, Emeritus Professor of Music, Kingston University
Jane Wess, Curator of Mathematics, Science Museum

Facilitator: Robert Hunt, Deputy Director, Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences