David Clampitt, music, presents "Aspects of Mathematical Music Theory" as part of the 2014-2015 Arts and Humanities Inaugural Lecture Series.
After an introduction to some topics one studies generally in the field of music theory, via music by J. S. Bach, this talk will present a recent approach to fundamental elements of music--scales, modes, triads--through the lens of mathematics. Often when mathematics has been applied in a musical context, it has referred to acoustics, numerical ratios or considerations of 12-tone serialism. In the current context, abstract structures are captured through the language of algebraic combinatorics on words, working with very unconstrained monoids of two-letter words. The argument will at least be broached that the structures uncovered are consistent with the intuitions of theorists in the historical development of music.
RSVP here for the lecture.
A reception will accompany each lecture. Free and open to all.
For more information, visit the Arts and Humanities Inagural Lectures website.
