Can Guitar Wires Perform mathematical operations?

Musical instruments such as guitar are not only the art tool, but also systems that contain the basic principles of mathematical and physical calculations. The blog post that Charles Petzold recently published is questioning that the geometric structure of the guitar curtains can perform complex mathematical operations such as bumps in analogy.

This interesting potential of guitar curtains is based on:

• Logaritmic scaling: Guitar curtains monitor a logaritmic distribution in the frequency space, and this feature adapts to the principle of distortion of logaries -Dometric proportions: Physical positioning of curtains represents the basic proportions of music theory -Acotic resonance: Vibrations in different wire lengths create physical contrast of mathematical parameters
• History importance: Old civilizations can be used as calculation tools

This concept is also valuable to understand how analog computers work. In the pre-Electronic period, human intelligence is redesigned as mechanical and acoustic systems calculation machines. Guitar curtains can also create a bridge between sound production and mathematical process with a similar logic.

This research of Petzold brings an interesting question at the intersection point of technology history and music science. Nowadays, such links can open new perspectives in education and science communication.