Simplifying Complexity
The geometry of music
Jan 22, 2024
Dmitri Tymoczko, Professor of Music at Princeton University, explores the geometry and patterns in music and its history, including the influence of non-Western music on jazz and popular music. He analyzes the mathematical aspect of rap music and discusses the challenges faced in replacing traditional classical music in the early 1900s.
47:57
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Quick takeaways
- Music is fundamentally about symmetry and playing with symmetry, with composers intelligently deploying relationships and structures to create rich perceptual symmetries.
- The history of music showcases a cyclical pattern of complexity and simplicity, as composers push the boundaries of musical structures before transitioning to simpler forms that resonate more widely.
Deep dives
Music as a Symphony of Symmetry
Music is fundamentally about symmetry and playing with symmetry. The repetition of musical ideas is a form of symmetry that is widely appreciated, but transformational repetition, where musical ideas are repeated with variations, is where things get interesting. Composers intelligently deploy relationships and structures, even if listeners are not always directly sensitive to them. The mathematics of music points to the importance of symmetrical structures and how they can create a rich set of perceptual symmetries. This symmetrical play in music can transport us to otherworldly places and create deeply enjoyable and mysterious musical experiences.
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