On the Flutetree site, I recently found a chart showing the Fibonacci Technique which maps the letter of the alphabet to the fingering of the flute. Can anyone tell me how this was derived and how it relates to Fibonacci mathematics which, apparently, is the basis of much of musical theory? I am in the category of mathematically challenged and have had only a little music theory. But I used the chart to create melodies using friend's names and it is really a neat way to "compose." I guess what I'm really asking is do the letters assigned to various pitches on the flute have any connection to the rest of the applications of Fibonacci's numbers.

If you give us a link I'll take a look. I actually have a degree in math.

Victor.

Hey Carole!

Welcome aboard!

Glad you've joined us!

Here is the link:
http://www.flutetree.com/playing/fibonacci.html

Gerard

That uses a Fibonacci sequence: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,..... Every next number is found by taking the sum of the last two, so 1+1=2, 1+2=3, 2+3=5, et cetera.

Ok, now you take that fingerings table and you put A under some note. Put B next to it. Now you start on A each time, and you count 2 to the right (including counting the A), and you put C under that note. Count 3, including the A, and put D under that note.

Now count 5, where you turn around at the end of the row, that gives you E.

Now count 8 from A, but because you were going left last time, continue going left.

Et cetera.

Victor.

The web address is http://www.flutetree.com/playing/fibonacci.html

Thanks,
Carole

Ok, I mailed Robert Gatliff, and he actually did something entirely different, not based on Fibonacci at all. He used a genetic algorithm, with heuristic rewards for melodies that didn't just randomly jump around &c.

Victor.

So if I use this chart, would it be correct to say the music is composed "in the manner of Fibonacci"? The project I have in mind is to use it to compose a musical family tree incorporating the names of my children, their spouses, and grandchildren. I also play the celtic harp so I hope to improvise a harp accompaniment to these flute melodies.
Thanks, by the way, for your help.
Carole

Hello Carole and welcome to the forum. So maybe in the future we can here a little Celtic harp and flute music from you??
dd

Well, what a neat idea! I love it!

I've always wanted a harp. I've been surfing for one, in fact. How hard is it to play? I play the piano already.

I was once told "if you want to play like an angel, you have to work like the devil." The harp is like any instrument; success pretty much depends on how hard you practice. If you play the piano, you obviously can read notes which makes learning to play the harp much easier. I would caution you not to buy the cheapest harp you can find--there are some lemons out there.

Are you looking for a Celtic (lever) harp or a Pedal harp? I'm currently studying the Celtic harp and my teacher recommended either the Ravenna 34 made by Dusty Strings or the Aziliz by Camac for a beginner. I chose the Ravenna 34 with a full set of levers because it was more within my price range than the Aziliz, but even so it was really expensive for me (about $1800 which is actually cheap compared to a lot of harps). I would recommend the Sylvia Woods Harp Center

If you play the piano, the harp shouldn't be to difficult to transition to, however the Celtic harp doesn't have separate strings for the sharps and flats - the levers change an F to an F#.

Hi Carole,

I know that Celtic harp and NAF have been combined successfully in other recordings although I haven't had a chance to listen to any myself until just now. There is a musician named Sue Hoadley who has a few harp and flute recordings out. I've been told that she even plays flute and harp at the same time (I'm not sure how she manages that!). You can hear some samples of her songs here.

I'd love to hear some of your songs once you've composed them!

Thanks! I've ordered a chromatic lap harp and we'll see how it goes. I'm like you - $1800 is a lot of money for me. I'll have to save up if I decide to go bigger than the lap harp!

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Hi Desiree,

I have one of Sue Hoadley's cds. She does some really nice stuff. I am certainly not at her level. I have attached a couple of mp3s that I did here at home with my simple recording equipment. I used some flute tunes from John Vannes' book and then improvised the harp accompaniment. I am currently working on making "name" music using the aforementioned Fibonacci technique. I hope to have the "family tree" songs to give as Christmas presents. All my recordings are strictly for personal use and gifts. I have no intention of selling anything, but it is certainly fun to experiment with these two instruments.
Carole