Have you ever wondered why the musical scales in all musical cultures, whether in the jungle, in the concert hall or in the football stadium, span precisely an octave? Or why children without any musical education the world over quite spontaneously find the major triad “beautiful”? The explanation lies in the resonances. No matter how different musical cultures are, they still have a common core. This consists of the resonances which emerge between the notes of the musical scales and chords. Two strings in resonance Mathematics and physics in music Classical music theory is aware of the fact

Oscillations: the physical basis of resonance Resonance is always based on the natural oscillations of two physical objects and their mutual coupling Coupling of natural oscillations of physical objects Natural vibrations are standing waves whose frequency is determined by the properties of the physical medium (size, shape, material, etc.). Two such media can enter into resonance through their oscillations. The resonance is created by coupling the two oscillations so that the two physical media form a coupled unit in their oscillating behaviour. The coupling takes place through a physical exchange of energy, either directly or indirectly, e.g. through the air. The