Discussion Prompt 1
After the activity involving Scales (Using the Division Operation) or Melodies (Using the Modulo Operation), there are so many different avenues to pursue in questioning your students, and these avenues can focus on the music, the mathematics behind the music, or both.
Here are just a few ideas to prompt reflection and discussion:
- What are some similarities in what they heard among and between the scales (or melodies)?
- What are some differences in what they heard among and between the scales (or melodies)?
- Were there any notes that were repeated anywhere in a given scales? How about in a melody
- Mathematically, why or why not?
- Were there any notes that were repeated consecutively in a given scale? How about in a melody?
- Mathematically, why or why not?
- For the melodies, how did the different pitch ranges of the various instruments affect the final output?
- Were some melodies more random-sounding than others?
- Which melodies were more pleasing to listen to?
- What other kinds of sequences could we try?
Although the activities profiled in this article concentrate on the Fibonacci sequence, the basic principle that relates the music and the math is called Algorithmic Composition. As a possible wrap-up, consider playing some of the more sophisticated compositions that can be found on the Music Algorithms website.
Discussion Prompt 2
Melodies & the Modulo Operation
From Jonathans Jan 19th email, for example, we have some ideas of interesting things to notice, question, and wonder about. Think of ideas for both the music and the math
