# The Fascinating Connection Between Music and Visual Patterns
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Chapter 1: Understanding Musical Frequencies
The mesmerizing nature of music can be seen when twelve piano notes are transformed into visible patterns through a unique instrument known as a cymascope.
Photograph by Tadas Mikuckis on Unsplash
Higher frequencies yield stunning patterns due to their increased energy levels. As Dave Mosher from Business Insider notes, this concept raises the question of whether musical notes align with specific vibrational frequencies.
Through the use of a cymascope, scientists can visualize these musical frequencies. In an article by Mosher, the cymascope, developed by scientist Linden Gledhill, is explained as a device that generates and fine-tunes repeating wave patterns. These waves are similar to those created when the rim of a crystal glass is rubbed to produce sound.
Gledhill explains, “These cyclical ripples, or cymatics, travel much faster than the human eye can perceive, so ultra-high-frame-rate cameras are employed to slow them down and unveil their secrets. It permits observation of the individual vibrational states throughout the cycle, which is quite remarkable. Usually, one only witnesses a fixed or changing pattern based on the frequencies played through the liquid.”
For those who haven't viewed the video yet, it's highly recommended. It features the twelve piano notes alongside their visual representations, all created using the same cymascope, highlighting the variations in patterns produced by different notes.
Chapter 2: The Science Behind Sound and Matter
In Mosher's article, he shares some of Gledhill’s stunning visuals, depicting the sounds at various frequencies and the corresponding images. The experience is both enjoyable and intriguing.
He summarizes that “higher frequencies yield more complex ripple patterns, while lower frequencies, closer to the lower threshold of human hearing at around 20 Hertz, create larger patterns.” The visuals indeed support this observation.
Another compelling piece discusses various experiments exploring the relationship between sound and matter. Titled “How The Elements React To Music,” this article presents scientific videos illustrating the impact of vibrational frequency on elements like earth, fire, and water. The essential takeaway is that vibration, frequency, and sound visibly influence matter.
Vibrational frequencies affect everything because, in essence, they are forms of energy. Given that approximately 60% of our bodies consist of water, it’s no surprise that we instinctively move to music. When you find yourself swaying to a rhythm, it’s your body responding to that energy, although it's invisible.
I am pleased to compile this intriguing information for you.
Jennifer Friebely is a New York-based content writer, focusing on topics ranging from personal development to music and beyond. With over 30 years in marketing and advertising, she holds a BA in Political Science. Reach her at [email protected].