Sunday 3 July 2016

Falsehoods programmers believe about music

In the spirit of Patrick McKenzie's great post on falsehoods programmers believe about names, I am trying to write an equivalent one for music. Any false assumption that might be made in codifying music is a candidate for inclusion. Suggestions are very welcome.
  1. Music can be written down.
  2. Okay, maybe not with European notation, but there'll be a specialist notation for that kind of music.
  3. Music is finite in duration.
  4. Music has a composer.
  5. Music is about harmony.
  6. Music uses scales.
  7. Music uses equal temperament.
  8. Music uses tones and semitones.
  9. Music and dance are separate activities.
  10. Playing and listening to music are separate activities.
  11. Musicians can play their part separately from the overall composition.
  12. Music is performed by professional musicians.