The link between mathematics and music may not be apparent, however these two subjects are very much interconnected. There are several aspects in mathematics that support musical development. To understand music, on a very basic level, you must first understand beats which inevitably involves counting. In the early years of nursery, this can be demonstrated through nursery rhymes and teaching young children how to count. This is highly significant in the importance of music in supporting and enabling memory recall.
One aspect that supports the relationship between mathematics and music is the physics of sound. This can be shown through using musical instruments that creates sounds which produce either high or low sounds and are dependent on the type of instrument as well.
Finally, the interconnection continues with mathematics and music as they are both used for patterns. People are constantly using patterns and routines to complete a task and understand a concept and that no different when working with mathematics and music. In regards to mathematical patterns, children find it difficult to understand the idea and that is where the teacher gets involved to help and support the children. Patterns in life can be ideas such as pictures, fabrics and events which are helpful for children’s understanding in concepts like repeating, increasing and decreasing.
Reference
Pound, L. and Lee, T. (2015) Teaching Mathematics Creatively (2nd edn.). Oxon: Routledge.
