TY - GEN A1 - Beim Graben, Peter A1 - Mannone, Maria T1 - Musical pitch quantization as an eigenvalue problem T2 - Journal of Mathematics and Music N2 - How can discrete pitches and chords emerge from the continuum of sound? Using a quantum cognition model of tonal music, we prove that the associated Schrödinger equation in Fourier space is invariant under continuous pitch transpositions. However, this symmetry is broken in the case of transpositions of chords, entailing a discrete cyclic group as transposition symmetry. Our research relates quantum mechanics with music and is consistent with music theory and seminal insights by Hermann von Helmholtz. Y1 - 2020 UR - https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-UBICO/frontdoor/index/index/docId/25709 SN - 1745-9745 SP - 1 EP - 18 ER -