TED-ED: Music and math: The genius of Beethoven - Natalya St. Clair

The video explores Beethoven's ability to compose music despite his deafness, focusing on the mathematical patterns in his compositions, particularly in the 'Moonlight Sonata.' It delves into the relationship between music and math, explaining concepts like consonance and dissonance. The video highlights Beethoven's genius in feeling the effects of music patterns and his lasting impact on music history.

How did Beethoven manage to compose music despite his hearing loss?

• He composed music before losing his hearing.

• He had perfect pitch.

• He used a special hearing device.

• He relied on mathematical patterns in music.

What is a triad in musical terms?

• A scale with eight notes.

• A harmonic pattern using the first, third, and fifth notes of a scale.

• A single note played repeatedly.

• A sequence of four notes.

What is the term for sounds that are naturally pleasant to our ears?

• Consonance

• Dissonance

• Resonance

• Harmony

How does Beethoven create emotional impact in his music?

• By using only consonant sounds.

• By contrasting dissonance with consonance.

• By using only high-pitched notes.

• By avoiding mathematical patterns.

What did James Sylvester suggest about the relationship between music and mathematics?

• Mathematics is superior to music.

• Music is the mathematics of the sense, and mathematics is the music of the reason.

• Music and mathematics are identical.

• Music is unrelated to mathematics.