Music ratio diagram
Date
14 May 1664
Creator
John Wallis (1616 - 1703, British) , mathematician
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p26v
Material
Dimensions
height (Page): 304mm
width (Page): 195mm
width (Page): 195mm
Description
Marginal illustration showing the mathematical ratios between harmonious (Pythagorean) intervals in music: the diapente (a perfect fifth) and the diatessaron (a perfect fourth).
Drawing from the papers of Robert Boyle.
This illustration is not present in the Royal Society’s other version of this letter: John Wallis to Henry Oldenburg, 14 May 1664, Early Letters EL/W1/8, where the associated text appears at p. 4.
Copy versions of the letter also appear at LBO/1/152-64 and LBC/1/177-92.
Drawing from the papers of Robert Boyle.
This illustration is not present in the Royal Society’s other version of this letter: John Wallis to Henry Oldenburg, 14 May 1664, Early Letters EL/W1/8, where the associated text appears at p. 4.
Copy versions of the letter also appear at LBO/1/152-64 and LBC/1/177-92.
Transcription
‘Thus, in Numbers; If we express, the more Grave sound of an octave of Dia-pason, by 6; and, consequently, the Higher, by 12 (in a Double proportion to it:) the number 9, which is to 6, as 3 to 2, or a Diapente; will be 12, as 3 to 4; which are therefore a Dia-tessaron. And the number 8, which is to 6, as 4 to 3, (a a Dia-tessaron;) will be to 12, as 2 to 3, which are a Dia-pente. Which is the Intendment of that sp frequent Proposition in musick, That a Diapente and Dia-tessaron, make a Dia-pason.’
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Related fellows
John Wallis (1616 - 1703, British) , Mathematician
Henry Oldenburg (1612 - 1677, German) , Scientific correspondent
Robert Boyle (1627 - 1691, British) , Natural philosopher
Henry Oldenburg (1612 - 1677, German) , Scientific correspondent
Robert Boyle (1627 - 1691, British) , Natural philosopher
Associated place