Standard Staff Notation Issues in Music Theory

Explore the challenges and limitations of standard music notation in this 20-minute lecture from the "Maths and Music" series. Delve into the two major issues in representing music on paper: systematically specifying pitch and duration of notes. Examine these concepts through the lens of Chopin's Mazurka Op 7 No. 2. Critically analyze the arbitrariness and lop-sidedness of the Western notation system, rooted in piano architecture. Discover how this system affects all musicians, regardless of their instrument. Learn about the systematic elements and ad hoc features in representing note duration. Get a preview of alternative notation systems and the upcoming introduction of a balanced "parity" system. Gain insights into the intersection of mathematics and music, and prepare for discussions on how emerging technologies like AI art generation may impact various fields, including pure mathematics.