Abstract / Synopsis
In our modern world, we are often faced with problems in which a traditionally analog signal is discretized to enable computer analysis. A fundamental tool used by mathematicians, engineers, and scientists in this context is the discrete Fourier transform (DFT), which allows us to analyze individual frequency components of digital signals. In this paper we develop the discrete Fourier transform from basic calculus, providing the reader with the setup to understand how the DFT can be used to analyze a musical signal for chord structure. By investigating the DFT alongside an application in music processing, we gain an appreciation for the mathematics utilized in digital signal processing.
DOI
10.5642/jhummath.201401.05
Rights Information
© Nathan Lenssen and Deanna Needell
Recommended Citation
Nathan Lenssen & Deanna Needell, "An Introduction to Fourier Analysis with Applications to Music," Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, Volume 4 Issue 1 (January 2014), pages 72-91. DOI: 10.5642/jhummath.201401.05. Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/jhm/vol4/iss1/5
