PART TWO
Numbers Fall
We explore the mathematics that underpins musical structure, how humans came to discover it and how it differs from culture to culture. We take a piano lesson and then try to make sense of why we humans like music so much in the first place.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE & INSTITUTIONS IN THIS EPISODE
Exclusive interviews in order of appearance in Part One
Siyu Sun
Concert pianist and teacher
Website
Dr Alex Kontorovich
Mathematician and musician
Website
Philip Ball
Science writer
Website |Bluesky
Professor Richard Dumbrill
Archeaomusicologist
Website
Professor Armand D’Angour
Classicist
Website
Matt Parker
Stand Up Mathematician, YouTuber, Author
Website | Instagram | Bluesky
Ben Sparks
Mathematician and musician
Website | Bluesky
Jess Hitchcock
Musician
Website | Instagram
Jim Bob
Musician & Author
Website | Instagram
Grace Petrie
Musician
Website | Instagram
Professor Peter Wollny
Director, Bach Museum Liepzig
Website
Nitin Sawhney
Musician and composer
Website | Instagram | Bluesky
Professor Marina Frolova-Walker
Music historian Cambridge
Website | Bluesky
Ruba Hillawi
Music educator and musician
Website | Instagram
Sanju Sahai
Musician, Head of the Benares Tabla
Website | Instagram
Donald Harrison Jr
Musician and composer, Big Chief of Congo Square
Website | Instagram
Ginny Smith
Neuroscientist writer and presenter
Website | Instagram
Professor Steve Mithen
Archaeologist and author
Website
Dr Dean Burnett
Neuroscientist and author
Website | Instagram | Bluesky
Givonna Joseph
Opera singer, lecturer and therapist
Website | Instagram
Charlotte Church
Musician
Website | Instagram
Ruarri Joseph
Musician and Author
Website | Instagram
Some of the institutions releavant to this episode
The Cosmic Shambles Network
Website | Instagram | Bluesky
Kings Place Music Foundation
Website | Instagram
The Royal Institution
Website | Instagram
The Dreaming
Website | Instagram
Maths Inspiration
Website
Maths Fest
Website
Taqasim Foundation
Website
Bach-Archiv
Website
Guardians Institute
Website
OperaCréole
Website
The Laura Kinsella Foundation
FURTHER READING LIST
If you’d like to dig into any of the topics in this episode a little deeper, you can subscribe to our Patreon for upcoming extended interviews or pick up one of the books below. These are books by the interviewees featured in this episode, books we read in our research and recommended fascinating books of the topics covered.
- Alfred’s Basic Piano Library: Lesson Book Complete Level 1 by Manus and Lethco Palmer Buy It
- The Music Instinct: How Music Works and Why We Can’t Do Without It by Philip Ball Buy It
- The Birth of Music Theory by Richard Dumbrill Buy It
- Where Songs Come From – The Lyrics and Origin Stories of 150 Solo and Carter USM Songs by Jim Bob Buy It
- Humble Pi: A Comedy of Maths Errors by Matt Parker Buy It
- Dolly Parton: Songteller by Dolly Parton with Robert K. Oermann Buy It
- Johann Sebastian Bach: The Learned Musician by Christoph Wolff Buy It
- Stalin’s Music Prize: Soviet Culture and Politics by Marina Frolova-Walker Buy It
- The Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link Between Music and the Structure of the Universe by Stephon Alexander Buy It
- Our Accidental Universe: Stories of Discovery from Asteroids to Aliens by Chris Lintott Buy It
- Overloaded: How Every Aspect of Your Life is Influenced by Your Brain Chemicals by Ginny Smith Buy It
- The Singing Neanderthals: The Origins of Music, Language, Mind and Body by Steven Mithen Buy It
- The Happy Brain: The Science of Where Happiness Comes From, and Why by Dean Burnett Buy It
- This is Your Brain on Music: Understanding a Human Obsession by Daniel Levitin Buy It
PLAYLIST
Each episode we’ll present you with a playlist of all the songs featured, mentioned or discussed in the episode. Enjoy the playlist and if you do discover some new music you enjoy, please do buy the album or single and support the artists!
Part Two Playlist
- Bobby Cole – Vintage Johnson Blues
- Toddler Tunes – Mary Had A Little Lamb
- David Gray – Babylon
- The Last Bugler – The Last Post
- New York Philharmonic – Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio
- Phoenix – 1901
- Dolly Parton – Coat of Many Colors
- Yo-Yo Ma – Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude
- Third Eye Blind – Semi-Charmed Life
- Antonio Vivaldi – Winter (from The Four Seasons)
- Donald Harrison – E=mc2
- John Williams – Jaws Main Theme
- Bernard Herrmann – The Murder
- Deee-Lite – Groove Is in the Heart
- Jim Croce – Photographs and Memories
- Fatboy Slim – Praise You
- Fairport Convention – Knocking On Heaven’s Door – Live At The L.A. Troubadour, 1974
- Ruarri Joseph – Hope for Grey Trousers
- Cold Chisel – Numbers Fall
QUIZ
How closely were you paying attention? Take our episode quiz to test yourself, your friends, your family, your children, random passers by…
1. How many musical notes are there overall?
Technically, infinite.
2. How many hertz is a Concert A?
440Hz
3. If the frequency of a note falls outside the octave, what do we do to make sure it fits back into the octave?
We halve the frequency.
4. What is the name of the fictional maths club that Ben explains scales from?
Sums ‘n’ Roses. It probably goes without saying, but credit to Matt Parker for this pun.
5. What pioneering method of composing did Bach use that required incredibly mathematical knowledge?
Counterpoint
6. What is the system of melodies and scales common in Arabic music?
Maqam.
7. Can you name the legendary actor that appears as Hamlet in this episode?
Why it’s none other than Sir John Gielgud.
8. Shave and a haircut?
Two bit.
9. What is referred to as ‘the pleasure chemical’ even that is a massive simplification?
Dopamine.
10. A song from which popular 90s DJ ends the episode before the credits?
Fatboy Slim.
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