Diagrams, MAndalas, Tonnetzes, And other visualizations make it possible for Everyday objects to become visual music theory

From John Coltrane’s mandala to diagrams to tonnetzes to even everyday objects, they all demonstrate that as musical structures, relationships, and concepts are assigned visual representation, music theory transforms from the abstract to the concrete. As meaning is assigned to visual images and objects, complexity is conveyed at a glance. Music theory goes from the intangible to the tangible. Music theory starts to invade your everyday world. It becomes increasingly possible to touch and even inhabit musical structures - as a colleague suggested in a conference panel discussion. Suddenly, visual representations and objects that were conceived independently of sound begin to suggest sound design and musical structure. The more this path is pursued the more the delineations between visual arts and music begin to blur.

Hand-drawn diagram of a musical circle of fifths, showing connected musical notes and chords arranged in a circle with labels and lines indicating relationships.
A color wheel displaying musical keys arranged according to their relationship, with notes and scales around the circle.
A diagram called the 'Circle of Harmony' showing the relationship between musical chords and keys. It is arranged in concentric circles with labels of chords and keys, illustrating harmonic relationships.
A round woven basket or hat with an open spiral design, made of natural and dark fibers, placed on a white surface indoors.
Color-coded music circle diagram showing musical keys, with labels for darkness, brightness, and different musical keys including C, G, D, A, E, B, F#, C#. It also explains symbols for diminished and augmented chords.
Color-coded diagrams of musical chords and scales arranged in a circular pattern, with connecting arrows indicating relationships between the chords and scales.
A detailed star chart depicting constellations, celestial lines, and astronomical symbols, arranged in a circular format for sky mapping.
Colorful circular religious or spiritual artwork with multiple concentric rings of human and angelic figures, symbols, and intricate designs.
A geometric diagram of a globe with interconnected lines, notes of musical notes and scales, including major and minor, and labeled notes such as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and sharps, overlaid with glowing patterns.
Colorful music chart showing the harmonic structure of Western music, including the circle of fifths, relative and parallel modes, and key signatures.
Five colorful circular drawings with various patterns, mounted on a beige wall.
A white cutting mat with red grid lines and a black protractor circle with degree markings is shown in the image.
Diagram of a musical scale with notes and intervals labeled, including Gb, Ab, Eb, Bb, Db, F, G, and A with half and whole steps.
Diagram of a honeycomb structure with labeled nodes and colors indicating different elements. It includes a legend with shapes and colors representing various properties and parts.
A wall hanging of nine black and white patterned decorative plates arranged vertically on a white wall.
A modern chandelier with multiple small lights, encased in a decorative wooden lattice, casting intricate shadows on the ceiling.
DNA double helix depicted with colored lines representing the nucleotide bases
Chord diagram for playing notes on a bass guitar, showing finger positions for notes E, A, D, and G.
Artistic map with black and dark blue tones, featuring interconnected lines and small blocks, with some sections highlighted in blue.
A circular diagram of musical chords and scales, labeled as Jack Doutett's 4-Cube Trio, showing various interconnected notes, chords, and scales with symbols indicating minor seventh chords and French sixth chords, arranged in a complex geometric pat
Diagram of two connected 3D rectangular prisms with labeled vertices and dimensions.
3D wireframe cube with labeled vertices in 3D coordinate system.
Handwritten musical notation diagram titled 'Brahm's Symphony in Major 3rd move.' It features a large grid with vertical lines numbered 1 to 7 at the top and horizontal lines labeled with solfège syllables from 'do' to 'ti.' Dots connected with lines
Sheet of circular stickers in various colors, including brown, green, blue, red, light blue, and pink, with black lines dividing each circle into four sections.
Three round, colored wooden tiles in green, red, and blue mounted on a yellow rectangular board, used for controlled, rhythmic movements.
Green and clear art glass vase with vertical ridges on a wooden shelf.
Person holding a black and white gradient ceramic vase with vertical ridges.