Jason Bono (FNAL) Physics and Mathematics in Music

ABSTRACT:
Music is nearly universal in human culture and yet it remains
mysterious. In order to help answer some of music’s fundamental
questions, we will briefly turn to archeology and early history before
examining some of music’s salient features from a physical and
mathematical perspective. Principles rooted in physics and pure
mathematics will provide a link to intercultural qualities of musical
tone and melody to the deep role that symmetry plays in human
perception, thus shedding light on the questions that we set out to
answer. To enhance clarity and familiarity, various concepts will be
illustrated with animations and sound bites.