Tool and The Fibonacci Sequence
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
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Topic: Tool and The Fibonacci Sequence
Posted By: TheProgMonster
Subject: Tool and The Fibonacci Sequence
Date Posted: May 21 2007 at 23:53
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There's so much nonsense been written about Tool's 'Lateralus' it
defies belief. One of the biggest misconceptions is to do with the use
of the Fibonacci sequence in the song 'Lateralus'. Many seem to think that the words to the song mirror the numerical sequence, and that by, wait for it... by counting the syllables in each verse, a pattern of 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, etc is reveled. Sorry to disillusion anyone, but it's just not true. So I feel it's time to set the record straight on this issue. First of all, yes, the lyrics are about the Fibonacci sequence. And, yes, there is correlation between the sequence and the music. The correlation is this: The 16th step in the Fibonacci sequence is 987. ( 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89,144, 233, 377, 610 ,987 ). The distinctive riff which is heard after the quiet introduction has a time signature of 9/8 + 8/8+ 7/8 (987). An entirely fortuitous coincidence. Drummer, Danny Carey had this to say about it: "Originally it was called '9-8-7' because there was a bar of 9, 8 and 7 and it had such a nice hook to it...It turned out that Maynard (James Keenan, Tool's vocalist) wrote these words about spirals, which were based on the Fibonacci sequence; the 978 is one of the steps on the sequence. We were so amazed at the synchronicity of it" From 'Rhythm' magazine, August 2002. So you see, there was no grand design on Tool's part to incorporate the sequence into their music, as many Tool fans like to believe. BUT it's not too surprising that a band as esoteric as Tool could create the climate for such synchronicity to manifest itself. 'With my feet upon the ground, I lose myself between the sounds and open wide to suck it in, I feel it move across my skin. I'm reaching up and reaching out, I'm reaching for the random or what ever will bewilder me. What ever will bewilder me And following our will and wind we may just go where no one's been. We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been. Spiral out. Keep going, Spiral out. Keep going, Spiral out. Keep going, Spiral out. Keep going, Spiral out. Keep going..' |
Replies:
Posted By: Proletariat
Date Posted: May 21 2007 at 23:58
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^^^
I like this even better
God must have put the ideas in their heads at the same time on purpose
more proof that Tool is gods favourite band (as much as Tool dosn't care)
Screw that it's a fuc*ing awsome song ------------- who hiccuped endlessly trying to giggle but wound up with a sob |
Posted By: Proglodita
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 00:26
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Once I read something about the order to listen the album. Again, the Fibonacci sequence: You skip Mantra (4), then Parabol/Parabola (6/7), and then I don't remember. But, yes, another game with Lateralus and Fibonacci. ------------- P |
Posted By: TheProgMonster
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 00:49
Indeed its an awesome song, Lateralus is sort of like the Da Vinci Code of Tool, so many rumors and coincidences. |
Proletariat wrote:Posted By: Snakes & Arrows
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 02:29
funny what some people consider to be awsome 
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Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 15:18
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hmmm... interesting
Mr. proletariat, I really doubt tool is gods fivirote band  ------------- 
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Posted By: Arsillus
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 15:28
Yeah, it's Rush. 
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Posted By: yface1
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 15:31
And here I was about to make a joke about God liking Genesis... It is, after all, his first book. ------------- My entertainment dollar is burning in my pocket! |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 17:49
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What? it´s all false?... oh... now I hate Tool...
------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?" 
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Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 17:56
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Tool is Fibonacci
------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: BroSpence
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 19:51
| Tool is the universe!!!!!!1 |
Posted By: Proletariat
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 20:03
God wrote Exodus too and I highly doubt he likes the things they have to say about him ------------- who hiccuped endlessly trying to giggle but wound up with a sob |
Posted By: GoldenSpiral
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 23:57
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black (1) and (1) white are (2) all I see (3) in my infancy (5) red and yellow then came to be (8) reaching out to me (5) lets me see (3) there is (2) so (1) much (1) more that (2) beckons me (3) to look through to these (5) infinite possibilities (8) as below so above and beyond I imagine (13) drawn beyond the lines of reason (8) push the envelope (5) watch it bend (3) don't try to tell me that's a coincidence. The lines are broken up just that way with pauses in the song. I'm not saying it's the most brilliant stroke of genius ever, but it's pretty cool and it's definitely there. ------------- http://www.myspace.com/altaic" rel="nofollow - http://www.myspace.com/altaic ALTAIC "Oceans Down You'll Lie" coming soon |
Posted By: TheProgMonster
Date Posted: May 23 2007 at 00:32
Is it just me , or does it seem like there are more pauses than that? |
Posted By: GoldenSpiral
Date Posted: May 23 2007 at 00:33
just you. 
------------- http://www.myspace.com/altaic" rel="nofollow - http://www.myspace.com/altaic ALTAIC "Oceans Down You'll Lie" coming soon |