 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: javier garcia
Date: 2002-06-04 13:39
We are discussing about music and math. What about music and languages. I know a lot of people who are good in music and have excepcional conditions to learn - read - speak foreing languages.
And I know people very clever on many subjects, but no gifted for music nor languages.
Is there a relationship?
What do you think about?
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-06-04 14:52
Javier -
Foreign languages are terribly difficult for me. I have no knack for them.
It took me a long time to get fluent in music, too (as opposed to just playing notes).
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: William
Date: 2002-06-04 15:18
It has been my pesonal experiance that abilities in math and music are not necessarily compatable nor complimentary. Take our big band and combo leader for example--he can quickly multiply four digit numbers in his head and do other amazing calculations effortlessly--while making out our paychecks and estimating his "leader fees"--but cannot play his trumpet no matter how much he practices. He has no sense of musical expression and lacks control in his tone production, often cracking notes in a familiar melodic phrase. And his attempts at playing jazz solos are "legendary" among local musicians--he simply has "no clue" or sense of musical direction Yet, he has a brilliant, analyitical mind, can interpret chord progressions easily "by ear", is a great business manager and recently learned German well enough to travel to that contry and converse with his relatives in their own language. However, despite all of that and graduating from music school as a band director, he has no real creative or expressive musical aptitude and plays his trumpet only good enough to "just get bye." He remains our leader because he owns the music and is good at "dealing with the public" and finding gigs. BTW, you should hear his vocal rendition of "Let's Do the Twist" or "Rock Around the Clock." "Legendary!!!!" But math and basic analyitical skills--a remarkable mind. Good Clarineting
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-06-04 19:08
I find the best correlation between foreign languages and music is NOT in learning the grammar and vocabulary, but in learning pronunciation. It's always been easy for me to learn languages, in general, but I've also found that the easiest part has been pronouncing them correctly. I believe it has something to do with the sharper listening skills I've developed as a musician. For some reason, I can get to a more closely "native" accent. I'm not saying you'd never be able to tell me from a German, but I come closer, and have never lived there...
This doesn't hold true 100%, as I know at least 2 people (pro musicians both!) who can't pronounce their way through the titles of all the ethnic folk music we play!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-06-04 19:54
Diana Deutsche (sp? reference not handy ...) has done extensive work on the effect of languages on music and music formation. Scientific American has published a few articles by her.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-06-04 23:29
German, for me, is difficult. Pronunciation is very good, as Kat mentions, possibly due to listening skills. Vocabulary is fair but grammar kills me :| Math skill is limited to accurately counting my change at the Dollar Store.
During the past few years I have become much more proficient with American Sign Language (ASL), the common means of communication among deaf people, as we have many friends who are deaf. It has nothing to do with sound or listening skill
Deaf people seem to be good mathematicians in greater numbers than the general hearing population, so say the 'experts'. It has nothing to do with musical ability.
So, what does this mean?
Nothing.
No matter what we do about it, we're still individuals.
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-06-05 01:52
I tackled Latin with amazing finesse and ranked in the top .13% in the US (Just statistics on a certain National Exam). My Latin teacher has always complimented me on my ability to pronounce Latin as fast as I read English. I've done the same with German, but not quite as fast.
Maybe pronounciation does come easier. Clever observation, Kat!! And that WOULD make sense, after all...
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Author: lala
Date: 2002-06-05 06:57
I think there might be some connections. First of all, as Kat said, the learning of pronounciation and music are similar. Secondly, people who learnt music get a much earlier exposure to Italian, German and French.
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Author: Laurie
Date: 2002-06-06 03:15
Yeah... I can't do math or a speak foreign languages... am I still considered a musician ?! lol
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