Mathematics and music theory: from Pythagoras to Rameau (Q697116)

In this expository paper, the author describes some of the connections between music theory and mathematics. After a brief historical survey, a section on Pythagoras sketches the foundations of the Pythagorean musical theory, which was based on the harmonies of pure fourth, fifth, and octave. Next the treatment of semitones by Theon of Smyrna in the second century A.D. is outlined. Renaissance musical theory (which introduced the third as an additional harmonic interval) is looked upon only briefly. Then a description is given of the harmonic sequence of frequencies of the overtones of a fundamental musical tone, which Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) took as the ``natural principles'' of his theoretical studies. He also extended musical theory to include dissonant chordes. His claim that mathematics is part of music since the sequence of overtones is derived from the sequence of natural numbers was rejected by d'Alembert and the encyclopaedists.