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AlexanderVIAlexanderVI@stranger.social
Oct 7, 2026, 11:48 AM
@eloisa @geonz @deirdrebeth @joannaholman
The math<->music link exists but you don't need a ton of math to just do some music.
Western music theory does use numbers to organize itself, and if you really want to number up, look into classical Indian music and how it treats subdivisions.
I didn't study math past the age of fifteen (which is when I started music, coincidentally), but have never encountered a musical situation where math was the stumbling block.
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Replies

DB Schweindeirdrebeth@mas.to
Oct 7, 2026, 11:58 AM
@AlexanderVI @eloisa @geonz @joannaholman
You misunderstand my meaning. It's not a "you must know x to do y". It's "if you understand x, y is easier".
Most musicians I know don't think about maths at all, they just innately know how things come together because of all the music theory knowledge.
The mathematicians have an easier time learning music theory because it matches the things they already know.
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AlexanderVIAlexanderVI@stranger.social
Oct 7, 2026, 12:37 PM
@deirdrebeth
Yes, you are right, I took that wrong - thanks for clarifying, and I agree completely.
I suspect there's also something about the study habits and self-application of those who work hard to get better at math that is very applicable to learning music. This seems particularly the case for classical students - I can't think of many folk musicians who make a math-music connection, but I've known plenty of classical musicians who also did well in math.
@eloisa @geonz @joannaholman
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AlexanderVIAlexanderVI@stranger.social
Oct 7, 2026, 12:41 PM
@deirdrebeth @eloisa @geonz @joannaholman
Which I guess restates the original point in reverse.
What good is learning music if I'm not going to be a musician?
What good is learning math if I'm not going to be a mathematician?
Learning to learn.
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DB Schweindeirdrebeth@mas.to
Oct 7, 2026, 1:10 PM
@AlexanderVI @eloisa @geonz @joannaholman
You and I have, seemingly, diametrically opposed views of life.
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AlexanderVIAlexanderVI@stranger.social
Oct 7, 2026, 1:40 PM
@deirdrebeth I had a quick gander at your profile and I can definitely say our views of life are not diametrically opposed, though I suppose on any number of specifics we might disagree. Interesting discussion nevertheless - thanks again.
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Chris SmartVE3RWJ@mastodon.radio
Oct 8, 2026, 12:32 AM
@AlexanderVI @deirdrebeth @eloisa @geonz @joannaholman Yes, learning to learn, but also, having something to do that you are hopefully interested in, that isn't sports. Not every kid is a jock. :)
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Eloísaeloisa@photog.social
Oct 8, 2026, 12:38 AM
@VE3RWJ @AlexanderVI @deirdrebeth @geonz @joannaholman and some of us are just literally falling in rabbit holes after rabbit holes, learning stuff "randomly" bc ADHD meds are too expensive anyway (don't argue with my poor math on the hobby tax that comes with it, plz). 😅
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Wieferich Primepikesley@mastodon.me.uk
Oct 10, 2026, 3:03 PM
@AlexanderVI @eloisa @geonz @deirdrebeth @joannaholman
Music is patterns. Maths is patterns. At some deep, abstract level, the two things are the same thing
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