Ratio in Music

In music, a ratio describes the relationship between two pitches or tones, often used to explain harmony and tuning. It compares the frequencies of notes, showing how they relate proportionally. For example, a simple ratio like 2:1 indicates one note vibrates twice as fast as another, creating an octave. More complex ratios, such as 3:2, produce a perfect fifth, which sounds consonant and pleasing. These ratios help musicians understand and construct musical intervals, ensuring harmonious sound. Overall, ratios are fundamental to the mathematics behind tuning systems and the perception of musical harmony.