Yadeliz Morales Fibonacci: sequence, ratios, and frequencies.

The Fibonacci sequence appears in music theory and plays a vital role in how music is composed, sung, and played. Music has a foundation in the Fibonacci sequence such as: a scale is composed of 8 notes, of which 5th and 3rd notes create the basic foundation of all chords, and are based on a tone which is a combination of 2 steps and 1 step from the root tone, that is the 1st note of the scale. The Fibonacci sequence was created by Leonardo de Fibonacci de Pisa. Fibonacci, whose real name was Leonardo Pisano Bigollo was an Italian Mathematician that lived during the Medieval Period. The series was originally created as a solution to a problem about rabbits. The problem was if a newborn pair of rabbits requires one month to mature and every month then to reproduce itself, how many pairs will one have at the end of the number of months. The answer to the problem is "un" and it was based upon the equation: un+1=un+un1.The sequence of the Fibonacci numbers is 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 59, 144, 233, and 377, and so on to infinity.The calculation takes the sum of the two numbers and adds it to the second number in the addition. For example: 0+1=1, 1+1=2, 1+2=3, 2+3=5, 3+5=5, 3+5=8, and so on. The sequence requires a minimum of eight calculations (that's an octave). The piano keyboard scale of C to C above of 13 keys has 8 white keys and 5 black keys, split into groups of 3 and 2. While some might point out that there are only 12 notes in the scale, if you dont have a root and octave, a start and an end, you have no means of calculating the other notes in between, so this 13th note as the octave is essential to computing the frequencies of the other notes. The word octave comes from the Latin word for 8, referring to the eight tones of the complete musical scale, which in the key of C are C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. In a scale, the dominant note is the 5th note of the major scale, which is also the 8th note of all 13 notes that

comprise the octave.This provides an added instance of Fibonacci numbers in key musical relationships. Interestingly, 8/13 is .61538. The typical three chord song in the key of A is made up of A, its Fibonacci partner E, and D, to which A bears the same relationship as E does to A. Notes in the scale of western music are based on natural harmonics that are created by ratios of frequencies. Ratios found in the first seven numbers of the Fibonacci series (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 ) are related to key frequencies of musical notes.In practice, pianos are tuned to a tempered frequency, a man-made adaptation devised to provide improved tonality when playing in various keys. There are three types of methods to compose Fibonacci music, which are the Binary Method, Number Method, and Beat Ratio Method. When using the Binary Method, a composer will create a piece consisting of a pattern that follows a 0 and 1 system. Since it is very difficult to subdivide this system into any time signature, the simplest course of action for an individual to take is to compose a musical build-up from a set foundation. For example, a composer will choose the length of their smallest 0 and 1. ex. 0 = a 32nd note, 1 = a 16th note. As the piece progresses so do the length of the notes.The hierarchy continues in this fashion as the notes grow in accordance to the Fibonacci Sequence as do their measures as well. This method also allows for a composer to make variations with the layers at ease, thus making very melodic music possible. The Note to Number method involves creating a rhythm or melody by assigning a note to a number on the Fibonacci Sequence through Modular Arithmetic. This is achievable due to the relation of Fibonacci numbers to a musical scale.To start, one would write out numbers on the Fibonacci Sequence at a length of their discretion.Then, the individual would rework the numbers using "clock arithmetic" to receive a number on a scale from 0 to 7. Next, the composer would pick a base or "root" note and then go up the scale from that root to the next octave.

Finally, the composer would only need to plug-in notes to their designated number and arrange note lengths at their discretion, thus resulting in a new rhythm or melody that would sound pleasing to the human ear, so long as the Fibonacci pattern is followed. This method involves the use of beats within a musical time frame in order to achieve a golden ratio hierarchy through the Fibonacci Sequence. Surprisingly, It has been said that Mozart used the Fibonacci Sequence in some of his works. The scribbling of mathematical equations have been found on the side columns of his compositions. Many believe this was the Fibonacci Sequence at work. Sonata No. 1 in C Major is the composer's most associated composition to Fibonacci numbers.