Joumal of Taiwan Normal University
Humanities & Social Scìences
2005,50(2),23-46
Application of the Golden Ratio to a Violin' s
Musical Structure and Design
Jui-Lin Ong
Department of Applied Chemistry, Fooyin University
Abstract
The cosmos itself, with its moving stars and planets, was considered to be a silent form
ofmusic:
“
the music of 由espheres." Indeed, musica1 amplitude, frequency, qua1ity, rhythm,
melody, form and style can all be described in mathematical terms_ Here we discuss, in
mathematical terms, the application of the “golden ratio" to the abstract musical structure
and concrete physica1 design of the violin. Our findings suggest the strong correlation
between mathematics and music. We also suggest the need for a general interdisciplinary
course on the close inter-relationship between music and mathematics.