Klarinet Archive - Posting 000099.txt from 1995/03

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re the request for info on K. 622 and music/math
Date: Fri, 3 Mar 1995 15:40:33 -0500

A recent request about playing K 622 was accompanied by a request
for info on music and math.

About K. 622 I've said my piece. It's time others contributed on this
wonderful subject.

On math, examine two works, one classic and the other now very
outdated. The classic is Pythagoras who wrote about the mathematical
foundations of music and there are many books published that speak to
that subject. Try "The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library" compiled
and translated by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, 1987/1988 Phanes Press,
ISBN 0-933999-51-9 (paperback) for about $9. In it you will find
the chapters on music including: "The Monochord: The Mathematics of
Harmonic Mediation" as well as "Number, Kosmos, Harmonia."

The other book is by Schillenger and is entitled, the Schillenger
method of musical composition in which he reduces most music theory
to basic arithmetic. Glen Miller was a big fan of Schillenger.
He has been out of fashion for years. I don't know why.

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
====================================