Power law? Classical music? Who is that weirdo?

It turns out that classical music follows a mathematical formula called the power law. Wikipedia says the following about the power law:

You can read the full explanation here. The study on classical music ”suggests there are deep-rooted ties between one series of mathematical equations and some of the most beloved and well-known musical arrangements of all time.”

Here is what the article says:

The study, led by McGill professor Daniel Levitin, showed that the equation known as the “power law” or the “one-over-f” law has direct links to the rhythmic structure of nearly 2,000 songs composed over a 400-year period. That same equation is tied to many real-world events, ranging from the human heartbeat and solar flares to natural disasters on earth.

Levitin said Tuesday that the equation can also determine the “fingerprint” each composer puts on musical arrangements.

That fingerprint could be found in one part of the equation, called the exponent, that differentiates each composer and can actually determine how predictable their arrangements are.

“The composer has a sonic or statistical fingerprint — a mathematical fingerprint — describing the rhythmic structure of their work,” said Levitin, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at McGill. “Now that you have these different parameters, you can rank-order them.

“It turns out the parameter indicates how predictable the music is, so one of the big findings here was that Beethoven employs among the most predictable rhythm, compared to, say, Mozart, who employs among the least predictable rhythms.”

After “several years of analysis” using nearly 2,000 pieces of music composed between 1500 and 1900, the researchers were able to make a number of links between music and the equation.

“We found all this classical music can be characterized by this power law,” Levitin said.

In the 1970s, it was determined the equation had a relation to pitch structure in classical music, but rhythm was not explored at the time.

“I went into it with a hunch that it would work out for the rhythm . . . but the big bonus was finding out that the exponents allowed us to show which composers were which and to be able to say which had the most predictable rhythms,” he said.

While Beethoven was found to be most predictable, Levitin said it hardly takes away from his skills as a composer. Music, he said, often comes down to the “Goldilocks effect,” which requires a fine balance of predictability and surprise to appeal to an audience.

Although the study looks at classical music exclusively, Levitin said he is confident it also would apply to modern music.

“I think if it’s Adele or John Coltrane or Oscar Peterson, that would conform to the rule as well,” Levitin said.

The paper was published Monday in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences. Levitin was scheduled to present the study at the California Institute of Technology on Wednesday in Pasadena, Calif.

http://www.canada.com/entertainment/reaching+math+equation+used+classical+composers/6187887/story.html

Frustrating professors — we’ve all had them! You raise your hand in class: “Can you give us an outline of what will be on the next exam?” Respone: “Everything will be on the exam.” NOT a helpful response for a fast-paced class.

As a tutor and a student, I hear about several things professors have done (or NOT done) in the classroom which can be terribly frustrating. It can be anything from not opening the window on a hot day to skipping example problems from a new chapter.

But… why do these things happen? Do the professors remember what it’s like to be a student? Are they on a vendetta against us?Do they want us to fail!?

Ok, for serious now. What’s up with professors who aren’t doing what-you-would-call their job? Let’s talk about it.

I come from a family of teachers; my mom is a high school teacher, my cousins are college professors, and all my grandmothers were elementary school teachers. I get to hear a lot about what educators have to put up with at their job.

Imagine if you had to teach a class of 100 adults a bunch of material you haven’t seen in 10-or-so years. Well, you SHOULD remember this material, heck, you use it a lot, but what about this tiny detail… right HERE? Why is this in the textbook? Why do students have to know that? Ew, is that the law of cosines again? And WHOA WHAT IS THAT BIG UGLY PIECE OF– oh it’s an outline of the state requirements. You have to make sure the students learn this. And take THIS test. With THESE questions on it. In one week. THAT’S NOT WHAT I HOW TO TEACH MY STUDENTS!

In fact, has anyone ever read what the state wants you to know in your classes? Here’s a link for high school Chem II:

http://www.tn.gov/education/ci/sci/doc/SCI_3224.pdf

And here is the form they need to open up an online class:

http://www.etsu.edu/academicaffairs/elearning/ats/online/faculty/development/SynchronousMOU.pdf

Or what about this lecture/movie that was shown at ETSU sometime last Fall?

http://faculty.etsu.edu/pooleg/etsu_assignments.htm

Bottom line is, even though some professors are better at sharing knowledge than others, realize that being a professor is TOUGH. That’s why if you even have a professor, no matter how much they make you angry, they WANT to be there. They want to be a professor, or a teacher, or instructor because they worked hard to get there. Heck, it might even be hard for them to teach, and they have to do it under a prescribed amount of time, but they like getting paid and doing research after class (I can’t say much for grad students though, because many are required to teach a lab to get their degree). So please, have a little understanding for your professor.

They are people too!!

Relax and grab a few laughs on your very own Facebook ETSU meme page!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ETSU-Memes/142587752529259

Sleepy or drowsy.

“Somnolent” used in a sentence:

College students are chronically somnolent.

With Christmas come and gone we look at our living rooms, bedrooms, and entertainment centers and say, “Wow, my new technology is so cool!” Best Buy was a frequent destination of mine over Christmas break and I was amazed at the technology behind all those TVs! There were plasma TVs, LED-LCD TVs, LED TVs, 720p and 1080p TVs, 6 million to 1 contrast ratios… Ahh! It never ends! Not only that, but 3D TVs seem to be the biggest hit (and the most expensive) in the electronic stores. But one has to wonder… will 3D technology really grow or is it just a pricy trend??

Don’t you wish you knew what the technology of the future will be? POPSCI has a fascinating article which shows you gadgets that will be released into the market this year or next!

http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/gallery/2012-01/gallery-best-ces-2012

My personal favorite is the MakerBot Replicator. With this kind of technology, you can now make duplicates of your favorite toys, pets, projects, and movies! Not really, but it certainly would be a great gadget to dump $2000 on if I won the lottery

App Name: A Novel Idea

Price: FREE

Pros: This app is perfect for mapping out an idea you have for a novel. You can create characters and log all of the vital information about them. You can keep track of multiple novels that you’re working on at the same time. You can label different scenes and can connect characters to different scenes that they’re in. Altogether, it’s a very useful app if you’re unorganized and need a way to sort all of the wonderful ideas floating around in your head!

Cons: This app is just a Lite version, meaning that it will be extremely tempting to buy the “pro version” which adds on a way to sync the information in the app to an iTunes or email account, a way to write your novel in the app itself, and a word-counting tool — all for just $2.99.

But, that isn’t what you want at all. The Lite version offers you the perfect brainstorming tool that you need–to do you’re writing just use Microsoft Word and email it to yourself. You have no reason to purchase an app you can otherwise use for FREE.

Another con is that if you’ve already mapped out your novel on paper before you get this app, there is no reason to waste two hours of your life redoing it in the app. Save this app for ideas you haven’t fully developed yet and it will come in much handier.

Final Grade: A-

China only has one time zone?

Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of an uncle.

“Avuncular” used in a sentence:

Uncle Harry was filled with avuncular affection for his nephew.

There are thousands of apps available on the market specifically designed to assist students with their studies, and with so many choices it can become a little disconcerting downloading and trying out dozens of apps, only to be disappointed in the results. So, that’s what I’m here for!

I will download and test different apps and report back to you to let you know which apps will help you get an A, and which apps fail completely. Best of all, I will only test FREE apps, so that way the study materials I tell you about will fit any ramen-noodle-munching college student’s budget. And, to start it all off, here’s my first review, which will help anyone who’s preparing for the GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, or are just looking to beef up their vocabulary to impress people…

App Name: Smart Vocab Lite

Grade: B+

This app is available for each of the different tests I mentioned before, and is offered as a FREE download on both the iPad and the iPhone. When the app begins you have the opportunity to start from the bottom (as a “white belt”) or take a diagnostics test to see where you stand, and that is what I did. The diagnostics test was a time exam that presented you with a word and then you had to choose what it’s definition was. After the exam, I was a “yellow belt.” The goal of the app is to become a “black belt” like you would in martial arts. Then, after that you can begin studying different words that will appear on your test. Each word has a definition and is used in a sentence for you. After you’ve studied a few new words–I did 10 words at a time–you can test yourself again to see if you’ve learned any new words. You can continue doing this through 160 words, and it offers you a nice word-countdown to let you keep track of how you’re doing. Overall, I would definitely recommend using this app to help study for your exams. I would have given this app an A, but I was familiar with some of the words I was tested on.

Until next time!

– Sam

that slugs have four noses?