Considering Golden Section Proportionality in Popular Music
Six Pieces by Jacob Collier
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5429/2079-3871(2026)v16i1.6enKeywords:
Golden section, Jacob Collier, musical proportion, time-based analysis, music compositionAbstract
The Golden Section, sometimes referred to as the “golden ratio” or “golden mean”, has been referenced in many studies in the arts, serving as a mathematically-based aesthetic criterion for form, structure, proportionality, and balance. In the domain of musical composition, scholars have noted the relationship between the golden section and musical structure; I will briefly illustrate how these studies have focused on proportions and structures in classical music only, which has used a methodology of counting bar numbers in a musical score. I follow this by demonstrating that golden section proportionality may not only be confined to classical music but can also be applied to popular music. I introduce an analytical method that measures the elapsed or clock time of the sounding music rather than examining a musical score. In doing so I use the concept of a temporal “key event point”, illustrating this in six works by Jacob Collier.References
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Discography
Collier, J. –
Djesse Vol. 1. Geffen Records, December, Europe.
Djesse Vol. 2. Geffen Records, July, Europe.
Djesse Vol. 4. Hajanga Records, February, Europe.
Snarky Puppy, 2016. Family Dinner – Volume 2. Universal Music Classics, February, USA.
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