Music and Mathematics: Modest Support for the Oft-Claimed Relationship.

According to conventional wisdom, music and mathematics are related, and musical individuals are also mathematically inclined. After all, musical rhythm is based upon mathematical relations, and it is certainly reasonable to assume that an understanding of music requires some understanding of ratios (e.g., 3/4 time vs. 4/4 time) and repeating patterns. In addition, if music experiences enhances spatial-temporal reasoning,1 then music may also enhance understanding of those aspects of math that involve spatial-temporal reasoning, such as geometry and proportional reasoning.2 Igor Stravinsky noted the links between music and mathematics, claiming that music is "something like mathematical thinking and mathematical relationships.3 In short, if music is based on mathematical principles, and if an understanding of music requires some understanding of these principles, then it is possible that music education can lead to an improved understanding. What follows is a report on three meta-analyses investigating the relationship between music and mathematics.