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Seminar Details

Mathematically Inspired Musical Scales

  • Start Date: January 29, 2026
  • Event Start Time: 5:00 PM
  • Event End Time: 6:00 PM
  • Seminar Series: Experimental Math Seminar
  • Presenter(s): Drew Sills - Georgia Southern University
  • Event Location: Online Event
  • Presentation Type: Stand Alone Presentation
  • Abstract:

    We review some basics of "musical physics" from Pythagoras to modern times, and then examine variations on these ideas whereby we can build nonstandard musical scales inspired by the elementary functions of mathematics. We then show how to build an infinite family of musical scales for which Wendy Carlos's alpha, beta, and gamma scales are special cases. Some of this work is ongoing and joint with Robert Schneider, frontman for the indie rock band The Apples in Stereo, and Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Michigan Technological University.