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and appreciate this form of creativity numbers, operations, fractions,
(music). multiplication, division, functions etc.
Infact, a lot has been written on music-
Music involves auditory senses. It involves
listening, singing, playing instruments mathematics connections. Dave Benson
but it is also a challenge to describe (2006) presents a comprehensive
music in the context of mathematics view of mathematics in music: from
only through written material. Thus, trigonometric functions, Fourier
visualisation and engagement with analysis, simple integer ratios, scales to
learners are important to present symmetry. Konar (2019a, 2019b, 2019c)
or describe music as mathematics. in a series of article “The Sounds of
Digital technology can ease this Music: The Science of Scales”, discusses
process through visualisation. Infact, the mathematical aspects in Sound,
teaching of interdisciplinary aspects of Western Music and Indian classical
mathematics is well supported by digital music. The three articles explain
aspects of educational technology such the science of frequencies, scales (a
as videos, animations, software, mobile collection of musical notes), ratio of
applications, interactive tools etc. musical notes, Pythagorean and Equal
Chrome Music Lab is one such example tempered scale and the mathematical
of interactive digital tools which can correspondence between Indian
be used as an educational resource to classical music and western classical
explore the relationship between music music. However, the activities discussed
and mathematics. This paper covers four in this paper are limited to these
Experiments of Music Lab: Kandinsky, aspects: Beats (Rhythm) and Melody
Rhythm, Melody Maker and Song Maker. combination. The activities implicitly
The paper also suggests some activities involve frequency, pitch, scales and
related to these Experiments which can octaves.
be used with inquiry based approaches Challenges in teaching and
to understand music as a mathematical communicating mathematical
activity. As a part of music composition aspects of music: A piece of music or
during activity, mathematical concepts sound can be pleasant to ears, it can
can also be taught to children. be felt or perceived by ears but it can’t
be seen or visualised directly through
Mathematics and Music eyes. It is a challenge to communicate
the mathematics behind rhythm of
Mathematical concepts (elements)
in music: The relation between music sounds or combination and timing of
and mathematics can be represented musical notes as these are abstract and
in various aspects. A musical piece moreover it depends on the perceiving
has elements of steady beats, rhythm, ability of the listener. In this context,
tempo, notes, scale, harmony, melody, one also needs to introduce such a
frequency, time intervals (metre or piece of music for which pattern can
metrics), cycle, octaves, contrast (high be easily recognised or deciphered by
pitch-low pitch) etc. These elements can the audience. For example: Most of
be explored in the context of patterns, the listeners can talk about a song or a

Indian Journal of Educational Technology 167
Volume 3, Issue 2, July 2021