Math, Music and Memory

Homework Assignment #1

Due Friday, Sept. 26, START of Class


Homework should be turned in at the BEGINNING OF CLASS. All problem numbers refer to A First Course in Math and Music, the primary text for the class. You are encouraged to work on these problems with other classmates, and it is ok to use internet sources for help if it's absolutely necessary; however, the solutions you turn in should be YOUR OWN WORK and written in YOUR OWN WORDS. Be sure to cite any references, websites, Internet sources, etc. that you may have used for assistance with the assignment.

Important: Please list the names of any students you worked with on the top of your assignment.


Life is about rhythm. We vibrate, our hearts are pumping blood, we are a rhythm machine, that's what we are.
- percussionist Mickey Hart

Section 1.1 (pages 8-9)
Problems:   1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

Section 1.2, (pages 16-18)
Problems:   2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Note: Some of the problems ask you to insert bar lines into an excerpt of music. Since you have a PDF version of the text, you can print out the particular page and mark your answers on it, rather than copying down the music onto staff paper.

In addition to the problems listed above, listen to CD #1 Rhythm, available on Moodle and read the liner notes for the CD, available here. You may be tested on some of this music so be sure to read the liner notes and listen carefully. One approach to effectively absorbing the music is to make brief notes about each piece, listing significant details as you listen.