In the spirit of Patrick McKenzie's great post on falsehoods programmers believe about names, I am trying to write an equivalent one for music. Any false assumption that might be made in codifying music is a candidate for inclusion. Suggestions are very welcome.
- Music can be written down.
- Okay, maybe not with European notation, but there'll be a specialist notation for that kind of music.
- Music is finite in duration.
- Music has a composer.
- Music is about harmony.
- Music uses scales.
- Music uses equal temperament.
- Music uses tones and semitones.
- Music and dance are separate activities.
- Playing and listening to music are separate activities.
- Musicians can play their part separately from the overall composition.
- Music is performed by professional musicians.
