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Pi10k: Pi as Music



Developer/blogger Felix Jung created this experiment that converts the first 10,000 digits of pi into a musical piece. We don't understand the math behind it--something about integers--but basically you select 10 notes, hit play, and listen. The results can sometimes be unpleasant, but trying to create something that's actually listenable is part of the fun. The whole time we played with it, we couldn't help but think of the scene in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" when the scientists and space ship began communicating musically.

http://www.avoision.com/experiments/pi10k/pi10k.html :guitarist

Crikey that's exciting. If I limit the 10 notes to 4 or 5 keys (with repeats) it sounds prettier. For a few bars you could half-believe that you can hear a rational change-ringing pattern, but of course it always drops out. I've never heard non-possible changes before, it's weird.

Very cool. Did you try the different scales, Spot? I went straight for the A major-best key for violin.

It really did carry a tune if you listened for awhile, with that random drop off that can be credited to a slip of the fingers on the keyboard.......................:wah:

*integers - The set consisting of the positive and negative whole numbers and zero; for example, {...-2, -1, 0, 1, 2 ...}.*

Now, if they set the patterns for intervals to non-integers, and had different counts for the notes...............................

chonsigirl wrote: Very cool. Did you try the different scales, Spot? I went straight for the A major-best key for violin.

It really did carry a tune if you listened for awhile, with that random drop off that can be credited to a slip of the fingers on the keyboard.......................:wah:

*integers - The set consisting of the positive and negative whole numbers and zero; for example, {...-2, -1, 0, 1, 2 ...}.*

Now, if they set the patterns for intervals to non-integers, and had different counts for the notes...............................You'd get Stockhausen's Piano Pieces 1 to 14 - I always wondered where they originated. I play them (on a CD player, not a piano!) when I want visitors to leave - I enjoy the experience twice, that way.

Ha-that B natural 9th chord will get them everytime................

Might I dare to hope that I'm talking with another Stockhausen devotee? I bought my first LP of his while still at school, and I'd be quite different as a person if I'd never done that. More sociable, for one thing.

I do enjoy all forms of music, and Stockhausen is more then creative. I have Mantra, and it is great music. I have never played it, but it might be a nice project for the summertime..................

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