The connection between music and math is well documented, and you don’t need to be a rocket surgeon to sense the pattern and symmetry in classical and baroque music in particular, almost algorithmic in formula and comforting regularity. So I get it. I get why learning theory is making my brain steam a bit.
But music isn’t just a cerebral and manual exercise. We listen to it because it moves us and even holds the promise of transcendence. No notes, clefs or key signatures required. And so I guess what has been mystifying me is how this potential for transcendence is not reflected in music theory at all, as far as I can tell. There are so many other ways music could have been written down that allowed for both the structure and the spirit of music, and the part of me that soars is frankly confused by the uninspired nature of music theory. Maybe it’ll get more crazy and fun when I get deeper into it.
Maybe I’m just not excited enough by math.
