Unit
Math and Music: Algebra Featuring Mickey Hart
This four-lesson curriculum for 7th to 9th graders explores the algebraic and scientific principles of sound waves, pitch, and harmony, culminating in a final project where students use mathematics to compose custom musical riffs for legendary drummer Mickey Hart.
Overview
Math and Music: Algebra Featuring Mickey Hart is a lesson collection aligned to 7th to 9th grade math standards that invites students to explore the mathematical and scientific principles of sound and music.
In this 4-lesson unit, students:
- Conduct hands-on activities to discover the physical principles of sound waves, and why sounds vary so widely
- Calculate, plot, and graph sound waves based on measurable, real-world acoustic data
- Calculate pitch, tension, and frequency using Mickey Hart’s famous beam instrument
- Discover the math and science behind Pythagoras’ calculations of ratio, tuning, and harmony
As a summative assessment, students draw upon the skills they gained in the lessons to create with mathematics their own custom musical riffs, which they present to Mickey Hart.