A Mathematical Exploration of Music and Sound

This course explores the fundamental connections between mathematics and music. Students will have the opportunity to learn about acoustics and music theory through a mathematical lens. At the core of music are patterns, structures, and relationships that can be understood mathematically. The course will provide opportunities for students to play with and explore some of the concepts, including scales, the Fourier series, beats, rhythm, and harmonics.

Week 1: What is sound? How do we hear sound?

Week 2: Sound waves and simple harmonic motion.
Pitch, octaves, and scale.

Week 3: Fourier Series

Week 4: The Harmonic Series
Project - Build an Instrument

Week 5: Rhythm and Time

Week 6: Intervals and Chords
Creating Music with Mathematics

Lauren Riva has an M.S. in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Theory and Practice in Teacher Education with a focus on Mathematics Education from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. She currently is the Director of St. Mark's Institute of Mathematics and is also a member of the mathematics faculty at St. Mark's School in Southborough, MA. Lauren is interested in supporting students' progress through mathematics coursework and reducing student attrition from mathematics

Ben Riva lives and works at St. Marks School in Southborough, MA, where he is currently a music teacher and the AV Services Manager. Ben has been playing the violin since he was 3 years old. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2004 with a B.A. in Music Synthesis. Ben has been teaching music for over ten years.