Show full text208 pages
Page 1
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Divisions of the Tetrachord
14-07-16 11:01
FA
Divisions of the Tetrachord yh
John Chalmers
+
on
(Published by Frog Peak Music)
Edited by Larry Polansky and Carter Scholz
Designed by Carter Scholz
Editor's Introduction (Larry Polansky), Forward (Lou Harrison), Preface (John
Chalmers), Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: The tetrachordin experimental music
—7 Chapter
2: Pythagoras, Ptolemy. and the arithmetic tradition
®
Chapter 3: Aristoxenos and the geometrization of musical space
Chapter 4: The construction of new genera
Chapter 5: Classification, characterization, and analysis of tetrachords
Chapter 6: Scales, modes, and systems
Chapterr 8: Schlesinger’S harmonia TE
n's diaphonic cycles, and other similar
constructs
Chapter 9: The Catalog of tetrachords
A note on this website: This is a set of scans of the original Frog Peak publication from
the early 1990s. No editing has been done, nor any attempt to
@pdate the book. (We will post the color cover soon).
Larry Polansky
http:/feamusic.dartmouth.edu/-larry/published_articles/divisions_of_the_tetrachord/
Pagina 1 van1
Page 2
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Divisions of the Tetrachord
14-07-16 11:07
Divisions of the Tetrachord
John Chalmers
(Published by Frog Peak Music)
Edited by Larry Polansky and Carter Scholz
Designed by Carter Scholz
Editor's Introduction (Larry Polansky), Forward (Lou Harrison), Preface (John
Chalmers), Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: The tetrachord in experimental music
Chapter 2: Pythagoras, Ptolemy, and the arithmetic tradition
Chapter 3: Aristoxenos and the geometrization of musical space
Chapter 4: The construction of new genera
Chapter 5: Classification, characterization, and analysis of tetrachords
Chapter 6: Scales, modes, and systems
Chapter 7: Harmonization of tetrachordal scales
Chapter 8: Schlesinger's harmoniai, Wilson's diaphonic cycles, and other similar
constructs
Chapter 9: The Catalog of tetrachords
A note on this website: This is a set of scans of the original Frog Peak publication from
the early 1990s. No editing has been done, nor any attempt to
update the book. (We will post the color cover soon).
Larry Polansky
http://eamusic.dartmouth.edu/~larry/published_articles/divisions_of_the_tetrachord/
Pagina 1 van 1
Page 3
View in PDF(opens in a new window)EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION
WHEN I was 4 young student in California, Lou Harrison suggested thatI
send one of my first pieces, Piano Study #5 (for JPR) to a Dr. Chalmers, who
might publish it in his journal Xenbarmonikon. Flattered and fascinated, I
did, and John did, and thus began what is now my twenty year friendship
with this polyglot fungus researcher tuning guru science fiction devotee
and general everything expert.
Lou first showed me the box of papers, already called Divisions of the
Tetrachord, in 1975. I liked the idea of this grand, obsessive project, and felt
that it needed to be available in a way that was, like John himself, out of the
ordinary. When Jody Diamond, Alexis Alrich, and I founded Frog Peak
Music (A Composers’ Collective) in the early 80s, Divisions (along with
Tenney’s then unpublished Meta + Hodos) was in my mind as one of the
publishing collective’s main reasons for existing, and for calling itself a
publisher of “speculative theory.”
The publication of this book has been a long and arduous process. Revised manuscripts traveled with me from California to Java and Sumatra
(John requested we bring him a sample of the local fungi), and finally to our
new home in New Hampshire. The process of writing, editing, and publishing it has taken nearly fifteen years, and spanned various writing technologies. (When John first started using a word processor, and for the first
time his many correspondents could actually read his long complicated
letters, my wife and I were a bit sad—we had enjoyed reading his completely illegible writing aloud as a kind of sound poetry).
Page 4
View in PDF(opens in a new window)May people have contributed to the publication of this book, all voluntering their valuable time. David Doty (editor of 1/1, The Journal of the
Jus hunation Network) and Daniel J. Wolf (who took over publication of
Ynkmonikon for several issues in the 1980s) both made a tremendous
editorial contribution to style and content. Jarrad Powell, Joel Mandeham, David Rothenberg (especially for chapter five) and Jody Diamond
mateviluable suggestions. Lauren Pratt, who is to copy editing what John
Chiers is to tetrachords, saw countless errors that were not there until
shepointed them out. Carter Scholz, the one person I know who can give
John Chalmers a run for his money in the area of polymathematics, began
asthe book’s designer, and by virtue of his immeasurable contributions,
became its co-editor.
john Chalmers’s Divisions of the Tetrachord is a fanatic work. It is not a
book that everyone will read or understand. It is a book that needs to
exist,
Larry POLANSKY
lebanon, New Hampshire 1992
Page 5
View in PDF(opens in a new window)FOREWORD
NEARLY TWENTY YEARS AGO John Chalmers and I had a number of very
fruitful conversations. Well acquainted with the work of Harry Partch and
also of younger musical theoreticians, Erv Wilson among them, John
brought an immense amount of historical and scientific knowledge to our
happy meetings. In turn, William Colvig and I brought the substance of
professional musical life and the building of musical instruments.
At that time I had rhapsodic plans for a “Mode Roem,” possibly for
UNESCO, in which would be assembled some great world-book of notated
modes, their preferred tunings and both ethnic and geographic provenance,
along with such history of them as we might have. I had supposed a roomful
of drawers, each holding an octave metallophone of a mode, and somewhere a harp or psaltery of some further octaves’ compass on which one
might try out wider musical beauties of the mode under study. I even wrote
out such a proposal in Esperanto and distributed it in an international
ethnomusicology conference in Tokyo in 1961.
However, a little later Mr. Colvig began to build extremely accurate
monochords on which we could study anything at all, and we rushed, ina
kind of ecstasy, to try everything at once. Bill and I designed and built a
“transfer harp,” wirestrung and with two tuning systems, both gross and
fine, Although innocently and quickly designed and built, its form, we
discovered, is that of what the Chinese call a “standing harp”— the plate is
parallel to the strings. We already owned a Lyon and Healey troubador
harp, and, with these and with the addition of one or two other incidental
Page 6
View in PDF(opens in a new window)instruments, a bowed psaltery, drones, and small percussion, Richard Dee
and Tin one rapturous weekend tuned and recorded improvisations in a fair
number of modes from planetary history, especially from the classical civilizations and Islam.
A little later, our friend Larry London, a professional clarinetist with
wide intellectual interests and a composer of wide-ranging inquiry, made
two improved versions of our original “transfer harp” and he actually
revived what literature tells us is the way Irish bards played their own
wirestrung harps, stopping off strings as you go. He has composed and
plays a beautiful repertory of pieces and suites (each in a single mode)
for his harps. I continue to want to hear hirn in some handsome small
marble hall that reminds of Alexandria, Athens, or Rome.
Thus, the “Mode Room,” about which I am still asked, turned into
anyone’s room, with a good monochord and some kind of transfer instrument, But the great book of modes?
Knowing that the tetrachord is the module with which several major civilizations assemble modes, John and I had begun to wonder about how many
usable tetrachords there might be. We decided that the ratio 81/80 is the
“flip-over” point and the limit of musical use, although not of theoretical
use. This is the interval that everyone constantly shifts around when singing
or playing major and minor diatonic modes, for it is the difference between
a major major second (9/8) and a minor major second (10/9) and the distribution of these two kinds of seconds determines the modal characters.
Thus our choice.
John immediately began a program, and began to list results. I think that
he used a computer and he soon had quite a list. From his wide reading he
also gave attributions as historically documented formations turned up. It
was enthralling, and this was indeed the “Great Book”— to my mind the
most important work of musical theory since Europe’s Renaissance, and
probably since the Roman Empire.
But it has taken many years to mature. Not only is John a busy scientist
and teacher, but he has wished to bring advanced mathematical thought
to the work and enjoys lattice thinking and speculation, often fruitful.
He tried a few written introductions which I in turn tried to make intelligible to advanced musicians, who, I thought, might see in his work
a marvelous extension of humanist enquiry. Always he found my effort
lacking to his needs. He often employed a style of scientese as opaque
Page 7
View in PDF(opens in a new window)to me as his handwriting is illegible. About the latter there is near universal agreement—John himself jestingly joins in this.
In the last very few years all of us have finally had translations into
English of Boethius, Ptolemy, and others—all for the first time in our
language. For decades before this John worked from the Greek and other
languages. This, too, was formidable.
Few studies have stimulated me as has John Chalmers’s Divisions of the
Tetrachord. It is a great work by any standards, and I rejoice.
Lou Harrison
Page 8
View in PDF(opens in a new window)PREFACE
THIS BOOK IS WRITTEN to assist the discovery of new musical resources, not
to reconstruct the lost musical culture of ancient Greece. I began writing
it as an annotated catalog of tetrachords while I was a post-doctoral fellow
in the Department of Genetics at the University of California, Berkeley in
the early 1970s. Much earlier, I had become fascinated with tuning theory
while in high school as a consequence of an unintelligible and incorrect
explanation of the 12-tone equal temperament in a music appreciation
class. My curiosity was aroused and I went to the library to read more about
the subject. There I discovered Helmholtz’s On the Sensations of Tone with
A. J. Ellis’s annotations and appendices, which included discussions of
non-12-tone equal temperaments and long lists of just intervals and historical scales. Later, the same teacher played the 1936 Havana recording
of Julián Carrillo’s Preludio a Colón to our class, ostensibly to demonstrate
the sorry condition of modern music, but I found the piece to be one of
almost supernatural beauty, and virtually the only interesting music presented the entire semester.
During the next summer vacation, I made a crude monochord calibrated
to 19-tone equal temperament, and later some pan pipes in the 5- and 9tone equal systems. Otherwise, my interest in microtonal music remained
more or less dormant for lack of stimulation until as a sophomore at Stanford I attended its overseas campus in Stuttgart. Music appreciation happened to be one of the required courses and Stockhausen was invited to
address the class and play tapes of “elektronische Musik,” an art-form totally unknown to me at the time. This experience rekindled my interest in
Page 9
View in PDF(opens in a new window)music theory and upon my return to California, I tried to sign up for
courses in experimental music. This proved impossible to do, but I did find
Harry Partch’s book and a recording of the complete Oedipus in the Music
Library. Thus I began to study microtonal tuning systems. My roommates
were astonished whenI drove nails into my desk, strung guitar strings between them, and cut up a broom handle for bridges, but they put up with
the resulting sounds more or less gracefully.
During my first year of graduate school in biology at UCSD, I came
across the article by Tillman Schafer and Jim Piehl on 19-tone instruments
(Schafer and Piehl 1947). Through Schafer, who still lived in San Diego at
that time, I met Ivor Darreg and Ervin Wilson. Later Harry Partch joined
the UCSD music faculty and taught a class which I audited in 1967-68,
About this time also, I began collaborating with Ervin Wilson on the generation of equal temperament and just intonation tables at the UCSD
computer center (Chalmers 1974, 1982).
After finishing my Ph.D. I received a post-doctoral fellowship from the
National Institutes of Health to do research at the University of Washington in Seattle and from there I moved to Berkeley to the Department
of Genetics to continue attempting to study cytoplasmic or non-Mendelian
genetics in the mold Nezrospora crassa. A visit by John Grayson provided an
opportunity to drive down to Aptos and meet Lou Harrison. I mentioned
to Lou that I had begun a list of tetrachords in an old laboratory notebook
and he asked me for a copy.
I photocopied the pages for him and mailed them immediately. Lou
urged me to expand my notes into a book about tetrachords, but alas, a
number of moves and the demands of a career as both an industrial and
academic biologist competed with the task. While working for Merck
Sharp & Dohme in New Jersey before moving to Houston in the mid19708, I wrote a first and rather tentative draft. I also managed to find the
time to edit and publish Xenbarmonikon, An Informal Fournal ofExperimental
Music, while certain harmonic ideas gestated, but I had to suspend publication in 1979. Happily, it was resurrected in 1986 by Daniel Wolf and I
resumed the editorship late in 1989.
In the winter of 1980, I was invited to the Villa Serbelloni on Lake Como
by the Rockefeller Foundation to work on the book and I completed another draft there. Finally, through the efforts of Larry Polansky and David
Rosenboom, I was able to spend the summer of 1986 at Mills College
Page 10
View in PDF(opens in a new window)working on the manuscript.
It was at Mills also that I discovered that the Macintosh computer has
four voices with excellent pitch resolution and is easily programmed in
BASIC to produce sound. This unexpected opportunity allowed me to
generate and hear a large number of the tetrachords and to test some of
my theories, resulting in a significant increase in the size of the Catalog and
much of the material in chapter 7.
After returning to Houston to work for a while as a consultant for a
biotechnology firm, I moved back to Berkeley in the fall of 1987 so thatI
could devote the necessary time to completing the book. With time out to
do some consulting, learn the HMSL music composition and performing
language developed at Mills College, and work as a fungal geneticist once
again at the University of California, the book was finally completed.
A few words on the organization of this work are appropriate. The first
three chapters are concerned with tetrachordal theory from both classical
Graeco-Roman and to a lesser extent medieval Islamic perspectives. The
former body of theory and speculation have been discussed in extenso by
numerous authorities since the revival of scholarship in the West, but the
latter has not, as yet, received the attention it deserves from experimentally
minded music theorists.
After considerable thought, I have decided to retain the Greek nomenclature, though not the Greek notation. Most importantly, it is used in all
the primary and secondary sources I have consulted; readers desiring to do
further research on tetrachords will have become familiar with the standard
vocabulary as a result of exposure to it in this book. Secondly, the Greek
names of the modes differ from the ecclesiastical ones used in most counterpoint classes. To avoid confusion, it is helpful to employ a consistent and
unambiguous system, which the Greek terminology provides.
Since many of the musical concepts are novel and the English equivalents of a number of the terms have very different meanings in traditional
music theory, the Greek terminology is used throughout. For example, in
Greek theory, the adjective enharmonic refers to a type of tetrachord containing a step the size of a major third, with or without the well-known
microtones. In the liturgical music theory of the Greek Orthodox church,
also called Byzantine (Savas 1965; Athanasopoulos 1950), it refers to varieties of diatonic and chromatic tunings, while in traditional European
theory, it refers to two differently written notes with the same pitch. Where
Page 11
View in PDF(opens in a new window)modern terms are familiar and unambiguous, and for concepts not part of
ancient Greek music theory, I have used the appropriate contemporary
technical vocabulary.
Finally, I think the Greek names add a certain mystique or glamour to the
subject. I find the sense of historical continuity across two and a half millen—
nia exhiliarating—four or more millennia if the Babylonian data on the diatonic scale are correct (Duchesne-Guillemin 1963; Kilmer 1960). Harry
Partch must have felt similarly when he began to construct the musical system
he called monophony (Partch [1949] 1974). Science, including experimental
musicology, is a cumulative enterprise; it is essential to know where we have
been, as we set out on new paths. Revolutions do not occur in vacuo.
The contents of the historical chapters form the background for the new
material introduced in chapters 4 through 7. It is in these chapters that
nearly all claims for originality and applicability to contemporary composition reside. In particular, chapters 5, 6, and 7 are intended to be of
assistance to composers searching for new materia musica.
Chapter 8 deals with the heterodox, though fascinating, speculations of
Kathleen Schlesinger and some extrapolations from her work. While I do
not believe that her theories are descriptive of Greek music at any period,
they may serve as the basis for a coherent approach to scale construction
independent of their historical validity.
While not intended as a comprehensive treatise on musical scale construction, for which several additional volumes at least as large as this would
be required, this work may serve as a layman’s guide to the tetrachord and
to scales built from tetrachordal modules. With this in mind, a glossary has
been provided which consists of technical terms in English pertaining to
intonation theory and Greek nomenclature as far as it is relevant to the
material and concepts presented in the text. Terms explained in the glossary are italicized at their first appearance in the text.
The catalogs of tetrachords in chapter 9 are both the origin of the book
and its justification—the first eight chapters could be considered as an extended commentary on these lists.
Page 12
View in PDF(opens in a new window)ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PorTIONS OF CHAPTER 5 and an earlier version of chapter 6 originally
appeared in the journal Xenbarmonikon (Chalmers 1975; 1989). A much
shorter draft of the book was written at the Centro Culturale Della
Fondazione Rockefeller at Bellagio, Italy while I was a Scholar-inResidence in 1980. I would like to express my gratitude to Larry Polansky
and David Rosenboom for arranging a summer residency for me at Mills
College in 1986 to work on the manuscript, and for introducing me to the
Macintosh as a word processor and acoustic workstation.
Thanks are also due to Dr. Patricia St. Lawrence for the opportunity to
come to Berkeley and work at the Department of Genetics during the
academic years 1987-88 and 1988-89.
Parts of this book are based on the unpublished work of Ervin M. Wilson
who not only placed his notes at my disposal but also served as a teacher and
critic in the early stages of the manuscript. Any errors or omissions in the
presentation of his material are solely my fault. The same may be said of
David Rothenberg, whose perception theories are a prominent part of
chapter 5.
Finally, it was Lou Harrison who suggested that I write a book on tetrachords in the first place and who has patiently awaited its completion.
Page 13
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The tetrachord in experimental music
Why, IN THE LAST quarter of the twentieth century, would someone
write a lengthy treatise on a musical topic usually considered of interest
only to students of classical Greek civilization? Furthermore, why might a
reader expect to gain any information of relevance to contemporary musical composition from sucha treatise? I hope to show that the subject of this
book is of interest to composers of new music.
The familiar tuning system of Western European music has been
inherited, with minor modifications, from the Babylonians (Duchesne-
Guillemin 1963). The tendency within the context of Western European
“art music” to use intervals outside this system has been called microtonality,
experimental intonation (Polansky 1987a), or xenharmonics (a term proposed
by Ivor Darreg). Interest in and the use of microtonality, defined by scalar
and harmonic resources other than the traditional 12-tone equal temperament, has recurred throughout history, notably in the Renaissance
(Vicentino 1555) and most recently in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The converse of this definition is that music which can be
performed in 12-tone equal temperament without significant loss of its
identity is not truly microtonal. Moreover, the musics of many of the other
cultures of the world are microtonal (in relation to 12-tone equal temperament) and European composers have frequently borrowed musical
materials from other cultures and historical periods, such as the Ottoman
Empire and ancient Greece.
We owe our traditions of musical science to ancient Greece, and the
theoretical concepts and materials of ancient Greek music are basic to an
THE TETRACHORD IN EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC
Page 14
View in PDF(opens in a new window)understanding of microtonal music. Greek musical theory used the terrachord as a building block or module from which scales and systems could be
constructed. A current revival of interest in microtonality, fueled by new
musical developments and technological improvements in computers and
synthesizers, makes the ancient tetrachord increasingly germane to contemporary composition,
Contemporary microtonality
Although 12-tone equal temperament became the standard tuning of
Western music by the mid-nineteenth century (Helmholtz [1877] 1954),
alternative tuning systems continued to find partisans. Of these systems,
perhaps the most important was that of Bosanquet (Helmholtz [1877]
1954; Bosanquet 1876), who perfected the generalized keyboard upon
which the fingering for musical patterns is invariant under transposition.
He also championed the 53-tone equal temperament. Of nineteenthcentury theorists, Helmholtz and his translator and annotator A. J. Ellis
(Helmholtz [1877] 1954) are outstanding for their attempts to revive the
use of just intonation.
The early twentieth century saw a renewed interest in quarter-tones (24tone equal temperament) and other equal divisions of the octave. The
Mexican composer Julián Carrillo led a crusade for the equal divisions
which preserved the whole tone (zero modulo 6 divisions) through 96-tone
temperament or sixteenths of tones. Other microtonal, mostly quartertone, composers of note were Alois Hába (Czechoslovakia), Ivan Wyschnegradsky (France), and Mildred Couper (USA). The Soviet Union had
numerous microtonal composers and theorists, including Georgy RimskyKorsakov, Leonid Sabaneev, Arseny Avraamov, E.K. Rosenov, A.S. Obolovets, and P.N. Renchitsky, before Stalin restrained revolutionary creativity under the doctrine of Socialist Realism (Carpenter 1983). Joseph Yasser
(USA) urged the adoption of 19-tone equal temperament and Adriaan
Fokker (Holland) revived the theories of his countryman, Christian
Huygens, and promoted 31-tone equal temperament. More recently,
Martin Vogel in Bonn and Franz Richter Herf in Salzburg have been active
in various microtonal systems, the latter especially in 72-tone equal
temperament.
No discussion of alternative tunings is complete without mentioning
Harry Partch, an American original who singlehandedly made extended
CHAPTER 1
Page 15
View in PDF(opens in a new window)just intonation and home-built instruments not only acceptable, but virtually mandatory for musical experimenters at some stage in their careers.
Composers influenced by him include Lou Harrison, Ben Johnston, James
‘Tenney, and younger composers such as Larry Polansky, Cris Forster,
Dean Drummond, Jonathan Glasier, and the members of the Just Intonation Network.
Ivor Darreg is an American composer working in California. He has
been very actively involved with alternative tunings and new instrument
design for more than five decades. Darreg has employed both non-r2-tone
equal temperaments and various forms of just intonation in his music,
theoretical writings, and instruments. More recently, he has begun to use
MIDI synthesizers and has explored all the equal temperaments up to 53
tones per octave in a series of improvisations in collaboration with Brian
McLaren.
Ervin Wilson is one of the most prolific and innovative inventors of new
musical materials extant and has been a major influence on me as well as a
source for many tetrachords and theoretical ideas. He holds patents on two
original generalized keyboard designs. Wilson has collaborated with Kraig
Grady and other experimental musicians in the Los Angeles area. He also
assisted Harry Partch with the second edition of Genesis of a Music by
drawing some of the diagrams in the book.
Some other North American microtonal composers are Ezra Sims, Easley
Blackwood, Joel Mandelbaum, Brian McLaren, Arturo Salinas, Harold
Seletsky, Paul Rapoport, William Schottstaedt, and Douglas Walker.
While still very much a minority faction of the contemporary music
community, microtonality is rapidly growing. Festivals dedicated to
microtonal music have been held in recent years in Salzburg under the
direction of Franz Richter Herf; in New York City, produced by Johnny
Reinhard; and in San Antonio, Texas, organized by George Cisneros.
Partch, Darreg, Wilson, Harrison, Forster, and William Colvig, among
others, have designed and constructed new acoustic instruments for
microtonal performance. Tunable electronic synthesizers are now available
commercially and provide an an alternative to custom-built acoustic or
electroacoustic equipment. A great deal of software, such as HMSL from
Frog Peak Music, 7ICak by Robert Rich and Carter Scholz, and Antelope
Engineering’s TuneUp, has been developed to control synthesizers microtonally via MIDI.
THE TETRACHORD IN EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC
Page 16
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Good references for additional information on the history of microtonal
systems are Helmholtz ([1877] 1954), Barbour (1951), Partch ([1949]
1974), and Mandelbaum (1961). Small press publications are a rich source
and several journals devoted to music in alternative tunings have been
published. The major ones are Xenbarmonikon, Interval, Pitch, and 1/1: The
Journal of the Just Intonation Network. Finally, Musical Six-Six Bulletin, Leonardo: The InternationalJournal ofArts, Science, and Technology, Experimental
Musical Instruments, and Musicworks have also contained articles about
instruments in non-traditional tuning systems.
The tetrachord in microtonal music
Tetrachords are modules from which more complex scalar and harmonic
structures may be built. These structures range from the simple heptatonic
scales known to the classical civilizations of the eastern Mediterranean to
experimental gamuts with many tones. Furthermore, the traditional scales
of much of the world’s music, including that of Europe, the Near East, the
Catholic and Orthodox churches, Iran, and India, are still based on
tetrachords. Tetrachords are thus basic to an understanding of much of the
HYPATE
PARHYPATE
LICHANOS
1/1
MESE
4/3
L
J
F
ai
3/2
PARAMESE
2/1
TRITE
1-1. The tetrachord.
PARANETE
NETE
world’s music.
The tetrachord is the interval of a perfect fourth, the diatessaron of the
Greeks, divided into three subintervals by the interposition of two additional notes.
The four notes, or strings, of the tetrachord were named hypate, parhypate, lichanos, and mese in ascending order from 1/1 to 4/3 in the first tetrachord of the central octave of the Greater Perfect System, the region of the
scale of most concern to theorists. Ascending through the second tetrachord, they were called paramese, trite, paranete, and nete. (Chapter 6 discusses Greek scales and nomenclature.)
Depending upon the spacing of these interposed tones, three primary
genera may be distinguished: the diatonic, composed of tones and semitones;
the chromatic, of semitones and a minor third; and the enharmonic, with a
major third and two quarter-tones. Nuances or chroai (often translated
“shades”) of these primary forms are further characterized by the exact
tuning of these intervals.
These four tones apparently sufficed for the recitation of Greek epic
poetry, but soon afterwards another tetrachord was added to create a heptachord. As a feeling for the octave developed, the gamut was completed,
CHAPTERI
Page 17
View in PDF(opens in a new window)and from this gamut various sections were later identified and given ancient
tribal names (Dorian, Phrygian, et cetera). These octave species became the
modes, two of which, the Lydian and Hypodorian, in the diatonic genus form
the basis for the European tonal idiom. Although a formal nomenclature
based on the position of the strings later developed, the four tetrachordal
tones remained the basis for the Greek solfège: the syllables te, to, m, vo,
(pronounced approximately teh, toe, tay, and tah in English) were sung in
descending order to the notes of every genus and shade.
The detailed history of the Greek tetrachordal scales is somewhat more
complex than the sketchy outline given above. According to literary testimony supported at least in part by archaeology, the diatonic scale and its
tuning by a cycle of perfect fifths, fourths, and octaves was brought from
Egypt (or the Near East) by Pythagoras. In fact the entire r2-tone chromatic
scale in this tuning is thought to have been known to the Babylonians by
the second millennium sce and was apparently derived from earlier
Sumerian precursors (Duchesne-Guillemin 1963, 1969; Kilmer 1960).
Having arrived in Greece, this scale and its associated tuning doctrines
were mingled with local musica] traditions, most probably pentatonic, to
produce a plethora of scale-forms, melody-types and styles (see chapter 6).
From a major-third pentatonic, the enharmonic genus can be derived by
splitting the semitone (Winnington-Ingram 1928; Sachs 1943). The
chromatic genera, whose use in tragedy dates from the late fifth century,
may be relicts of various neutral and minor-third pentatonics, or conversely, descended from the earlier enharmonic by a process of “sweetening” whereby the pitch of the third tone was raised from a probable
256/243 to produce the more or less consonant intervals 5/4, 6/5, 7/6 and
possibly 11/9 (Winnington-Ingram 1928).
The resulting scales were rationalized by the number theory of
Pythagoras (Crocker 1963, 1964, 1966) and later by the geometry of
Euclid (Crocker 1966; Winnington-Ingram 1932, 1936) to create the body
of theory called harmonics, which gradually took on existence as an independent intellectual endeavor divorced from musical practice. The acoustic means are now available, and the prevailing artistic ideology is
sympathetic enough to end this separation between theory and practice.
Many composers have made direct use of tetrachordal scales in recent
compositions. Harry Partch used the pentatonic form of the enharmonic
(16/15 - 5/4- 9/8 + 16/15 - 5/4) in the first of his Two Studies on Ancient Greek
THE TETRACHORD IN EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC
Page 18
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Scales (1946) and the microtonal form in the second (in Archytas’s tuning,
28/27 - 36/35 - 5/4). Partch also employed this latter scale in The Dreamer
that Remains, and in verse fifteen of Petals. His film score Windsong (1958)
employs Ptolemy’s equable diatonic (diatonon homalon). Ivor Darreg’s On
the Enharmonic Tetrachord from his collection Excursion into the Enharmonic,
was composed in 1965 and published in Xenharmonikon 3 in 1975. Lou
Harrison has used various tetrachords as motives in his “free style” piece
A Phrase for Arion’s Leap (Xenharmonikon 3, 1975). An earlier piece, Suite
(1949) was based on tetrachords in 12-tone equal temperament. Larry
London published his Eight Pieces for Harp in Ditone Diatonic in Xenharmonikon 6 (1977) and his Four Pieces in Didymus’s Chromatic in Xenharmonikon 7+8 (1979). In 1984, he wrote a Suite for Harp whose four
movements used Archytas’s enharmonic and a chromatic genus of J.M.
Barbour. Gino Robair Forlin’s song in Spanish and Zapotec, Las Tortugas
(1988), is based on the tetrachord 16/15 - 15/14 - 7/6. There are of course
many other recent pieces less explicitly tetrachordal whose pitch structures
could be analyzed in tetrachordal terms, but doing so would be a major
project outside the scope of this book. Similarly, there is a vast amount of
music from Islamic cultures, Hindustani, and Eastern Orthodox traditions
which is also constructed from tetrachordal scales. These will not be discussed except briefly in terms of their component tetrachords.
A psychological motivation for the consideration of tetrachords is provided by the classic study of George A. Miller, who suggested that musical
scales, in common with other perceptual sets, should have five to nine elements for intuitive comprehension (Miller 1956). Scales with cardinalities
in this range are easily generated from tetrachords (chapter 6) and the
persistence of tetrachordal scales alongside the development of triad-based
harmony may reflect this property.
Tetrachords and their scale-like complexes and aggregates have an
intellectual fascination all their own, a wealth of structure whose seductive
intricacy I hope to convey
in this book.
CHAPTER I
Page 19
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Pythagoras, Ptolemy, and the
arithmetic tradition
GREEK MUSICAL TRADITION begins in the sixth century sce with the
semi-legendary Pythagoras, who is credited with discovering that the frequency of a vibrating string is inversely proportional to its length. This
discovery gave the Greeks a means to describe musical intervals by numbers,
and to bring to acoustics the full power of their arithmetical science. While
Pythagoras’s own writings on music are lost, his tuning doctrines were
preserved by later writers such as Plato, in the Timaeus, and Ptolemy, in the
Harmonics, The scale derived from the Timaeus is the so-called Pythagorean
tuning of Western European theory, but it is most likely of Babylonian origin. Evidence is found not only in cuneiform inscriptions giving the tuning
order, but apparently also as music in a diatonic major mode (DuchesneGuillemin 1963, 1969; Kilmer 1960; Kilmer et al. 1976). This scale may be
tuned as a series of perfect fifths (or fourths) and octaves, having the ratios
1/1 9/8 81/64 4/3 3/2 27/16 243/128 2/1, though the Babylonians did not
express musical intervals numerically.
The next important theorist in the Greek arithmetic tradition is Archytas, a Pythagorean from the Greek colony of Tarentum in Italy. He lived
about 390 BCE and was a notable mathematician as well. He explained the
use of the arithmetic, geometric, and harmonic means as the basis of musical tuning (Makeig 1980) and he named the harmonic mean. In addition to
his musical activities, he was renowned for having discovered a threedimensional construction for the extraction of the cube root of two.
Archytas is the first theorist to give ratios for all three genera. His tunings are noteworthy for employing ratios involving the numbers 5 and 7
PYTHAGORAS, PTOLEMY, AND THE ARITHMETIC TRADITION
Page 20
View in PDF(opens in a new window)instead of being limited to the 2 and 3 of the orthodox Pythagoreans, for
using the ratio 28/27 as the first interval (hypate to parhypate) in all three
genera, and for employing the consonant major third, 5/4, rather than the
harsher ditone 81/64, as the upper interval of the enharmonic genus. These
tunings are shown in 2-1.
|
Other characteristics of Archytas’s tunings are the smaller second interval of the enharmonic (36/35 is less than 28/27) and the complex second
interval of his chromatic genus.
Archytas’s enharmonic is the most consonant tuning for the genus, especially when its first interval, 28/27, is combined with a tone 9/8 below the
tonic to produce an interval of 7/6. This note, called byperhypate, is found
not only in the harmoniai of Aristides Quintilianus (chapter 6), but also in
the extant musical notation fragment from the first stasimon of Euripides’s
Orestes. It also occurs below a chromatic pyknon in the second Delphic hymn
(Winnington-Ingram 1936). This usage strongly suggests that the second
note of the enharmonic and chromatic genera was not a grace note as has
been suggested, but an independent degree of the scale (ibid.). Bacchios, a
much later writer, calls the interval formed by the skip from hyperhypate
to the second degree an ekbole (Steinmayer 1985), further affirming the
historical correctness of Archytas’s tunings.
The complexity of Archytas’s chromatic genus demands an explanation,
as Ptolemy's soft chromatic (chroma malakon) 28/27 - 15/14. 6/5 would
seem to be more consonant. Evidently the chromatic pyknon still spanned
the 9/8 at the beginning of the fourth century, and the 32/27 was felt to be
ARCHYTAS’S GENERA
2-1. Ptolemy’s catalog ofhistorical tetrachords,
from the Harmonics (Wallis 1682). The genus
28/27 + 36/35 + 5/4
28/27 + 243/224 32/27
28/27: 8/3. 9/8
5/55. 22/21 - s/4 (31 +81 +386 cents) is also at-
63 + 49 + 386
63 + 141 + 294
63+231 +204
ENHARMONIC
CHROMATIC
DIATONIG
ERATOSTHENES’S GENERA
tributed to Ptolemy, Wallis says that this genus is in
40/39 + 39/38 - 19/15
44 + 45 + 409
ENHARMONIC
all ofthe manuscripts, but is likely to be a later addi-
20/19: 19/18. 6/5
256/243 : 9/8 + 9/8
89 + 94 + 316
90 + 204 + 204
CHROMATIC
DIATONIC
tion. The statements ofAvicenna and Bryennios that
46/45 is the smallest melodic interval supports this
view,
DIDYMOS’$ GENERA
32/31 - 31/30. 5/4
55 + 57 + 386
ENHARMONIC
16/15-25/24 - 6/5
16/15: 10/9 . 9/8
112 +71 + 316
112 + 182 + 204
CHROMATIC
DIATONIC
CHAPTER 2
Page 21
View in PDF(opens in a new window)the proper tuning for the interval between the upper two tones. This may
be in part because 32/27 makes a 4/3 with the disjunctive tone immediately
following, but also because the melodic contrast between the 32/27 at the
top of the tetrachord and the 7/6 with the hyperhypate below is notas great
as the contrast between lower 7/6 and the upper 6/5 of Ptolemy’s tuning.
Archytas’s diatonic is also found among Ptolemy’s own tunings (2-2) and
appears in the /yra and kithara scales that Ptolemy claimed were in common
practice in Alexandria in the second century ce. According to Winnington-Ingram (1932), itis even grudgingly admitted by Aristoxenos and thus
would appear to have been the principal diatonic tuning from the fourth
century BCE through the second cz, a period of some six centuries.
Archytas’s genera represent a considerable departure from the austerity
of the older Pythagorean forms:
ENHARMONIC: 256/243 - 81/64
CHROMATIC: 256/243 - 2187/2048 « 32/27
DIATONIC: 256/243 -0/8 - 9/8
The enharmonic genus is shown as a trichord because the tuning of the
enharmonic genus before Archytas is not precisely known. The semitone
was initially undivided and may not have had a consistent division until the
stylistic changes recorded in his tunings occurred. In other words, the incomposite ditone, not the incidental microtones, is the defining characteristic
of the enharmonic genus.
The chromatic tuning is actually that of the much later writer Gaudentius (Barbera 1978), but it is the most plausible of the Pythagorean
chromatic tunings.
The diatonic genus is the tuning associated with Pythagoras by all the
authors from ancient times to the present (Winnington-Ingram 1932).
2-2. Ptolemy's own tunings.
46/45 24/23 5/4
28/27-15/14-6/5
22/21 12/11:7/6
21/20- 10/9 « 8/7
28/27 - 8/7 «9/8
256/243:9/8-9/8
16/15 + 9/8. 10/9
12/11: ı1/io-10/9
9
38+75+386
63+119+316
81+151+267
85+182+231
63+231 +204
go+204+204
112 +2044+ 182
151 + 165 + 182
ENHARMONIC
SOFT CHROMATIG
INTENSE CHROMATIC
SOFT DIATONIC
DIATONON TONIAION
DIATONON DITONIAION
INTENSE DIATONIG
EQUABLE DIATONIC
PYTHAGORAS, PTOLEMY, AND THE ARITHMETIC TRADITION
Page 22
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Ptolemy and his predecessors in Alexandria
In addition to preserving Archytas’s tunings, Ptolemy (ca. 160 ce) also
transmitted the tunings of Eratosthenes and Didymos, two of his predecessors at the library of Alexandria (2-1). Eratosthenes’s (third century
BCE) enharmonic and chromatic genera appear to have been designed as
simplifications of the Pythagorean prototypes. The use of 40/39 and 20/19
for the lowest interval presages the remarkable Tanbur of Baghdad of
Al-Farabi with its subharmonic division by the modal determinant 40 (Ellis
1885; D’Erlanger 1935) and some of Kathleen Schlesinger’s speculations
in The Greek Aulos (1939).
Didymos’s enharmonic seems to be mere formalism; the enharmonic
genus was extinct in music as opposed to theory by his time (first century
BCE). His 1:1 linear division of the pyknon introduces the prime number 31
into the musical relationships and deletes the prime number 7, a change
which is not an improvement harmonically, though it would be of less
significance in a primarily melodic music. His chromatic, on the other
hand, is the most consonant non-septimal tuning and suggests further development of the musical styles which used the chromatic genus. Didymos’s
diatonic is a permutation of Ptolemy’s intense diatonic (diatonon syntonon). It seems to be transitional between the Pythagorean (3-/imit) and
tertian tunings.
Ptolemy’s own tunings stand in marked contrast to those of his predecessors. In place of the more or less equal divisions of the pyknon in the
genera of the earlier theorists, Ptolemy employs a roughly 1:2 melodic proportion. He also makes greater
use of superparticular
or epimore ratios than his
forerunners; of his list, only the traditional Pythagorean diatonon ditoniaion
contains epimteres, which are ratios of the form (72 + 7)/n where m>
1.
The emphasis on superparticular ratios was a general characteristic of
Greek musical theory (Crocker 1963; 1964). Only epimores were accepted
even as successive consonances, and only the first epimores (2/1, 3/2, and
4/3) were permitted as simultaneous combinations.
There is some empirical validity to these doctrines: there is no question
that the first epimores are consonant and that this quality extends to the
next group, 5/4 and 6/5, else tertian harmony would be impossible, Consonance of the septimal epimore 7/6 is a matter of contention. To my ear,
it is consonant, as are the epimeres 7/4 and 7/5 and the inversions of the
epimores 5/4 and 6/5 (8/5 and 5/3). Moreover, Ptolemy noticed that octave
CHAPTER 2
Page 23
View in PDF(opens in a new window)compounds of consonances (which are not themselves epimores) were aurally consonant. It is clear, therefore, that it is not just the form of the ratio,
but at least two factors, the size of the interval and the magnitude of the
defining integers, that determines relative consonance. Nevertheless, there
does seem to be some special quality of epimore ratios. I recall a visitto Lou
Harrison during which he began to tune a harp to the tetrachordal scale
1/1 27/25 6/5 4/3 3/2 81/50 9/5 2/1. He immediately became aware of the
non-superparticular ratio 27/25 by perceiving the lack of resonance in the
instrument.
A complete list of all possible tetrachordal divisions containing only
superparticular ratios has been compiled by I. E. Hofmann (Vogel 1975).
Although the majority of these tetrachords had been discovered by earlier
2-3. Hofmann 's list ofcompletely superparticular
divisions, This table has been recomposed after
theorists, there were some previously unknown divisions containing very
small intervals. The complete set is given in 2-3 and individual entries also
appear in the Miscellaneous listing of the Catalog.
The equable diatonic has puzzled scholars for years as it appears to be
an academic exercise in musical arithmetic. Ptolemy’s own remarks rebut
this interpretation as he describes the scale as sounding rather strange or
foreign and rustic (Eevikotepov pev nog kat aypotkotepov, Winnington-
Hofmann from Vogel (1975). See Main Catalogfor
farther information.(s) has also been attributed to
Ingram 1932). Even a cursory look at ancient and modern Islamic scales
Tartini, but probably should be credited to
Pachymeres, a thirteenth-century Byzantine author.
a similar scale and very cleverly rationalized it according to the tenets of
Greek theory. Such scales with 3/4-tone intervals may be related to
from the Near East suggests that, on the contrary, Ptolemy may have heard
I.
2§6/255+ 17/16. 5/4
NEW ENHARMONIC
14.
28/27. 15/14 : 6/5
PTOLEMY’S SOFT CHROMATIC
2.
3
136/135 - 18/17- 54
96/95 - 19/18 - 5/4
NEW ENHARMONIC
WILSON’S ENHARMONIC
15.
16.
16/15 25/24: 6/4
20/19 - 19/18 - 6/5
DIDYMOS’S CHROMATIC
ERATOSTHENES’S CHROMATIC
4.
76/75: 20/19: 5/4
AUTHOR'S ENHARMONIC
17.
64/63 - 9/8 + 7/6
BARBOUR
AVICENNA
5.
64/63 + 21/20 + 5/4
SERRE'S ENHARMONIC
18.
36/35 : 10/0 + 7/6
6.
56/55 22/21 5/4
PSEUDO-PTOLEMAIC ENHARMONIC
19.
22/21: 12/11 - 7/6
PTOLEMY’S INTENSE CHROMATIC
7.
46/45 - 24/23 5/4
PTOLEMY’S ENHARMONIC
20.
16/15 : 15/14 : 7/6
AL-FARABI
8.
9.
40439: 26/25 - 5/4
28/27: 36/35 : 5/4
AVICENNA’S ENHARMONIC
ARCHYTAS’S ENHARMONIC
21. 49/48 - 8/7 - 8/7
22. 28/27. 8/7 9/8
10. 32/31: 3130: 54
DIDYMOS’S ENHARMONIC
23.
21/20 : 10/9 - 8/7
PTOLEMY’S SOFT DIATONIG
II. 100/99 - 11/10:6/
12. 55/54: 12/11 - 6/5
NEW CHROMATIC
BARBOUR
24.
25.
14/13: 13/12 + 8/7
16/15:19/18-10/9
AVICENNA
PTOLEMY’S INTENSE DIATONIC
13. 40/39: 13/12 : 6/5
BARBOUR
26.
12/11: 11/10 - 10/9
PTOLEMY’S EQUABLE DIATONIC
II
AL-FARABI
ARCHYTAS’S DIATONIC
PYTHAGORAS, PTOLEMY, AND THE ARITHMETIC TRADITION
Page 24
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Aristoxenos’s hemiolic chromatic and may descend from neutral third
pentatonics such as Winnington-Ingram’s reconstruction of the spondeion
or libation mode (Winnington-Ingram 1928 and chapter 6), if Sachs’s ideas
on the origin of the genera have any validity (Sachs 1943). In any case, the
scale is a beautiful sequence of intervals and has been used successfully by
2-4. Genesis ofthe enharmonicpykna by katapyknoboth Harry Partch (Windsong, Daphne ofthe Dunes) and Lou Harrison, the
sis. In principle, allpyknotic divisions can be generlatter in an improvisation in the early 197os.
ated by this process, although very high multipliers
Ptolemy returned to the use of the number seven in his chromatic and
soft diatonic genera and introduced ratios of eleven in his intense chromatic
and equable diatonic. These tetrachords appear to be in agreement with the
may be necessary in some cases, The ones shown are
merely illustrative. See the Catalogsfor the complete
list, (1x) The basicform is the enbarmonic trichord,
or major thirdpentatonic, often ascribed to Olympos,
(2x) Didymos's enbarmonion, a “weak”form. (3x)
Ptolemy's enbarmonion, a “strong” forms. To comply
with Greek melodic canons, it was reordered as
46/45 - 24/23 + 5/4. (gx) Serre’ enharmonic,
sometimes attributed to Tartini, and discussed by
Perrett (1926, 26). Pachymeres may be the earliest
source. (5x) Author's enharmonic, also on Hofmann’s list ofsuperparticular divisions, (6x) Wilson's enharmonic, also on Hofmann’s list of
superparticular divisions.
musical reality of the era, as most of the scales described as contemporary
tunings for the lyra and kithara have septimal intervals (6-4).
Ptolemy’s intense diatonic is the basis for Western European just intonation. The Lydian or C mode of the scale produced by this genus is the
European major scale, but the minor mode is generated by the intervallic
retrograde of this tetrachord, 10/9 + 9/8 - 16/15. This scale is not identical
to the Hypodorian or A mode of 12-tone equally tempered, meantone, and
Pythagorean intonations. (For further discussion of this topic, see chapters
6 and 7.)
The numerical technique employed by Eratosthenes, Didymos, and
Ptolemy to define the majority of their tetrachords is called linear division
and may be identified with the process known in Greek as katapyknosis.
Katapyknosis consists of the division, or rather the filling-in, of a musical
INDEX NUMBERS
IX 16
2X 32
31
3x 48
47
63
62
Is
30
PYKNA
16/15
32/31-31/30
46
45 24/23
+ 46/45
61
60 64/63-21/20
4x
64
5x
6x
80 79 78 77 76 75 20/19-76/75
96 95 94 93 92 91 go 96/95-19/18
interval by multiplying its numerator and denominator bya set of integers
of increasing magnitude. The resulting series of integers between the extreme terms generates a new set of intervals of increasingly smaller span as
the multiplier grows larger. These intervals form a series of microtones
which are then recombined to produce the desired melodic division, usually
composed of epimore ratios. The process may be seen in 2-4 where it is
applied to the enharmonic pyknotic interval 16:15. By extension, the pyknon
may also be termed the katapyknosis (Emmanuel 1921). It consists of three
notes, the barypyknon, or lowest note, the mesopyknon, or middle note, and
the oxypyknon, or highest.
The harmoniai of Kathleen Schlesinger are the result of applying katapyknosis to the entire octave, 2:1, and then to certain of the ensuing intervals. In chapter q it is applied to the fourth to generate indexed genera,
The divisions of Eratosthenes and Didymos comprise mainly 1:1 divi-
CHAPTER 2
Page 25
View in PDF(opens in a new window)sions of the pyknon while those of Ptolemy favor the 1:2 proportion, although in some instances the sub-intervals must be reordered so that the
melodic proportions are the canonical order; small, medium and large. This
2-5. Ptolemy’s interpretation of Aristoxenos’s
principle was also enunciated by Aristoxenos, but violated by Archytas,
Didymos, and Ptolemy himself in his diatonic tunings.
Amore direct method of calculating the divisions is to use the following
genera.
formulae (Winnington-Ingram 1932; Barbera 1978) where x/y is the interval to be linearly divided:
ENHARMONIC
44 + 45 + 409
40/39 è 39/38 + 19/15
1/1
1/2
2/1
SOFT CHROMATIC
30/29 - 29/28 + 56/45
59 + 60 + 379
HEMIOLIC CHROMATIC
80/77 - 77/74: 37/30
66 + 69 + 363
INTENSE CHROMATIC
20/19 - 19/18 : 6/5
The final set of tetrachords given by Ptolemy are his interpretations of
the genera of Aristoxenos (2-5). Unfortunately, he seems to have com-
89 + 142 + 267
pletely misunderstood Aristoxenos’s geometric approach and translated his
“parts” into aliquot parts of a string of 120 units. Two of the resulting tetrachords are identical to Eratosthenes’s enharmonic and chromatic genera,
INTENSE DIATONIC
89 + 192 +217
20/19 : 19/17 + 17/15
Finer divisions may be defined analogously; if a/b is the desired proportion and x/ the interval, then (a +5) -x/(bx+ay)-(bx+ay)/(a+b)-y=x/y.
89 + 04 + 316
SOFT DIATONIC
20/19 + 38/35 - 7/6
2x/(x+y) + y)/2y=ax/y,
3x/(2x + y) - (2x + y)/3y=x/y,
Zelle +2) (+ 29)/3y=x/y.
but the others are rather far from Aristoxenos’s intent. The Ptolemaic
version of the hemiolic chromatic is actually a good approximation to
Aristoxenos’s soft chromatic. Aristoxenos’s theories will be discussed in
detail in chapter 3.
The late Roman writers
After Ptolemy’s recension of classical tuning lore, a few minor writers such
as Gaudentius (fourth century ce) continued to provide tuning information
in numbers rather than the fractional tones of the Aristoxenian school.
Gaudentius’s diatonic has the familiar ditone or Pythagorean tuning, as
does his intense chromatic (chroma syntonon), 256/243 + 2187/2048 - 32/27
(Barbera 1978).
The last classical scholar in the ancient arithmetic tradition was the
philosopher Boethius (sixth century ce) who added some novel tetrachords
and also hopelessly muddled the nomenclature of the modes for succeeding
generations of Europeans. Boethius’s tuning for the tetrachords in the three
principal genera are below:
512/499 : 499/486 : 81/64
ENHARMONIC:
CHROMATIC:
256/243 + 81/76 - 19/16
DIATONIC:
256/243 : 9/8 - 9/8
PYTHAGORAS, PTOLEMY, AND THE ARITHMETIC TRADITION
Page 26
View in PDF(opens in a new window)These unusual tunings are best thought of as a simplification of the
Pythagorean forms, as the limma (256/243) is the enharmonic pyknon and
the lowest interval of both the chromatic and diatonic genera. The enharmonic uses the 1:1 division formula to divide the 256/243, and the
19/16 is virtually the same size as the Pythagorean minor third, 32/27.
The medieval Islamic theorists
With the exception of Byzantine writers such as Pachymeres, who for the
most part repeated classical doctrines, the next group of creative authors are
the medieval Islamic writers, Al-Farabi (950 ce), Ibn Sina or Avicenna
(1037 ce) and Safiyu-d-Din (1276 ce). These theorists attempted to
rationalize the very diverse musics of the Islamic cultural area within the
Greek theoretical framework.
In addition to an extended Pythagorean cycle of seventeen tones, genera
of divided fifths and a forty-fold division of the the string (Tanbur of
Baghdad) in Al-Farabi, several new theoretical techniques are found.
Al-Farabi analogizes from the 256/243 + 9/8 + 9/8 of the Pythagorean tuning
and proposes reduplicated genera such as 49/48 - 8/7 -8/7 and 27/25 - 10/9 :
10/9. Avicenna lists other reduplicated tetrachords with intervals of approximately 3/4 of a tone and smaller (see the Catalog for these genera).
The resemblance of these to Ptolemy’s equable diatonic seems more than
fortuitous and further supports the notion that three-quarter-tone intervals
were in actual use in Near Eastern music by Roman times (second century
cE). These tetrachords may also bear a genetic relationship to neutral-third
pentatonics and to Aristoxenos’s hemiolic chromatic and soft diatonic
genera as well as Ptolemy’s intense chromatic.
Surprisingly, I have been unable to trace the apparently missing reduplicated genus, 11/10 - 11/10: 400/363 (165 + 165 + 168 cents) that is a virtually
equally-tempered division of the 4/3. Lou Harrison has pointed out that
tetrachords such as this and the equable diatonic yield scales which approximate the 7-tone equal temperament, an idealization of tuning systems
which are widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
Other theoretical advances of the Islamic theorists include the use of
various arrangements of the intervals of the tetrachords. Safiyu-d-Din
listed all six permutations of the tetrachords in his compendious tables,
although his work was probably based on Aristoxenos’s discussion of the
permutations of the tetrachords that occur in the different octave species.
Iq CHAPTER 2
Page 27
View in PDF(opens in a new window)At least for expository purposes, the Islamic theorists favored arrangements
with the pyknon uppermost and with the whole tone, when present, at the
bottom. This format may be related to the technique of measurement
termed messel, from the Arabic a/-mithal, in which the shorter of two string
lengths is taken as the unit, yielding numbers in the reverse order of the
Greek theorists (Apel 1955, 441-442.).
The so-called neo-chromatic tetrachord (Gevaert 1875) with the augmented second in the central position is quite prominent and is also found
in some of the later Greek musical fragments and in Byzantine chant
(Winnington-Ingram 1936) as the palace mode. It is found in the Hungarian
minor and Gypsy scales, but, alas, it has become a common musical cliché,
the “snake-charmer’s scale” of the background music for exotic Oriental
settings on television and in the movies.
The present
After the medieval Islamic writers, there are relatively few theorists
expressing any great interest in tetrachords until the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries. Notable among the persons attracted to this branch
of music theory were Helmholtz ([1877] 1954) and Vogel (1963, 1967,
1975) in Germany; A. J. Ellis (1885), Wilfrid Perrett (1926, 1928, 1931,
1934), R. P. Winnington-Ingram (1928, 1932) and Kathleen Schlesinger
(1933) in Britain; Thorvald Kornerup (1934) in Denmark; and Harry
Partch (1949) and Ervin Wilson in the United States. The contributions
of these scholars and discoverers are listed in the Catalog along with those
of many other workers in the arithmetic tradition.
After two and a half millennia, the fascination of the tetrachord has still
not vanished. Chapter 4 will deal with the extension of arithmetical techniques to the problem of creating or discovering new tetrachordal genera.
PYTHAGORAS, PTOLEMY, AND THE ARITHMETIC TRADITION
Page 28
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Aristoxenos and the geometrization of
musical space
ARISTOXENOS WAS FROM the Greek colony of Tarentum in Italy, the home
of the famous musician and mathematician Archytas. In the early part of
his life, he was associated with the Pythagoreans, but in his later years he
moved to Athens where he studied under Aristotle and absorbed the new
logic and geometry then being developed (Barbera 1980; Crocker 1966;
Litchfield 1988). He was the son of the noted musician Spintharos, who
taught him the conservative musical tradition still practiced in the Greek
colonies, if not in Athens itself (Barbera 1978).
The geometry of music
The new musical theory that Aristoxenos created about 320 Bce differed
radically from that of the Pythagorean arithmeticians. Instead of measuring
intervals with discrete ratios, Aristoxenos used continuously variable
quantities. Musical notes had ranges and tolerances and were modeledas loci
in a continuous linear space. Rather than ascribing the consonance of the
octave, fifth, and fourth to the superparticular nature of their ratios, he took
their magnitude and consonance as given. Since these intervals could be
slightly mistuned and still perceived as categorically invariant, he decided
that even the principal consonances of the scale had a narrow, but still
acceptable range of variation. Thus, the ancient and bitter controversy over
the allegedly unscientific and erroneous nature of his demonstration that the
perfect fourth consists of two and one half tones is really inconsequential.
Aristoxenos defined the whole tone as the difference between the two
fundamental intervals of the fourth and the fifth, the only consonances
smaller than the octave. The octave was found to consist of a fourth anda
ARISTOXENOS AND THE GEOMETRIZATON OF MUSICAL SPACE
Page 29
View in PDF(opens in a new window)fifth, two fourths plus a tone, or six tones. The intervals smaller than the
fourth could have any magnitude in principle since they were dissonances
and not precisely definable by the unaided ear, but certain sizes were
traditional and distinguished the genera known to every musician. These
conventional intervals could be measured in terms of fractional tones by the
ear alone because musical function, not numerical precision, was the
criterion, The tetrachords that Aristoxenos claimed were well-known are
shown in 3-1.
Aristoxenos described his genera in units of twelfths of a tone (Macran
1902), but later theorists, notably Cleonides, translated these units into a
cipher consisting of 30 parts (moria) to the fourth (Barbera 1978). The
enharmonic genus consisted of a pyknon divided into two 3-part micro-
3-1. The genera ofAristoxenos. The descriptions of
tones or dieses and a ditone of 24 parts to complete the perfect fourth. Next
tones have been converted to cents, assuming 500
come three shades of the chromatic with dieses of 4, 4.5, and 6 parts and
upper intervals of 22, 21, and 18 parts respectively. The set was finished with
Aristoxenos (Macran 1902) in terms of twelfths of
cents to the equally temperedfourth, The interpretation ofAristoxenos’sfractional tones as thirty
parts to the fourth is after the second century theorist Cleonides.
two diatonic tunings, a soft diatonic (6 + 9 + 15 parts), and the intense
diatonic (6+ 12 +12 parts). The former resembles a chromatic genus, but the
latter is similar to our modern conception of the diatonic and probably
ENHARMONIG
o
o
50 100
67
INTENSE CHROMATIC
500
o
100
6+6+
18 PARTS
1/4+ 1/4+ 2 TONES
50 + 50 + 400 GENTS
1/2 + 1/2 + 1 1/2 TONES
100 + 100 + 300 CENTS
SOFT CHROMATIC
SOFT DIATONIC
133
4+4+ 22 PARTS
1/3 + 1/3 + 1 5/6 TONES
67 + 67 + 333 CENTS
500
o
100
250
6 +9 +I5 PARTS
1/2 + 3/4+ 1 1/4 TONES
IOO + 150 + 250 CENTS
HEMIOLIC CHROMATIC
o
75
200
3+3+24 PARTS
150
4.5 + 4.5
+ 21 PARTS
500
500
INTENSE DIATONIC
500
o
100
300
6+12+
12 PARTS
3/8
+ 3/8+ 1 3/4 TONES
1/2 + 1 + I TONES
75 + 75 + 350 CENTS
100+ 200+ 200 CENTS
CHAPTER 3
Page 30
View in PDF(opens in a new window)represents the Pythagorean form. Two such 30-part tetrachords and a
whole tone of twelve parts completed an octave of 72 parts.
Several properties of the Aristoxenian tetrachords are immediately
3-2. Other genera mentioned by Aristoxenos.
apparent. The enharmonic and three chromatic genera have small intervals
UNNAMED CHROMATIC
o
67
with similar sizes, as if the boundary between the enharmonic and chrosoo
matic genus was not yet fixed. The two chromatics between the syntonic
500
chromatic and the enharmonic may represent developments of neutral-third pentatonics mentioned in chapter 2.
The pyknon is always divided equally except in the two diatonic genera
whose first intervals (half tones) are the same as that of the syntonic
chromatic. Thus Aristoxenos is saying that the first interval must be less
than or equal to the second, in agreement with Ptolemy’s views nearly five
200
4+8 + 18 PARTS
1/3 +2/3 + 1 1/2 TONES
67 + 133 + 300 CENTS
DIATONIC WITH SOFT CHROMATIC DIESIS
lo
67
300
4+14+ 12 PARTS
hundred years later.
+1 1/6 + I TONES
The tetrachords of 3-2 are even more interesting, The first, an approved
67 + 233 + 200 CENTS
but unnamed chromatic genus, not only has the 1:2 division of the pyknon,
1/3
but more importantly, is extremely close to Archytas’s chromatic tuning
DIATONIC WITH HEMIOLIC CHROMATIC DIESIS
lo
75
300
4.5 +13.5 +21 PARTS
soo
Archytas’s enharmonic is missing, though Aristoxenos seems to allude to it
in his polemics against raising the second string and thus narrowing the
3/8
+1 1/8 + 1 TONES
largest interval (ibid.). These facts clearly show that Aristoxenos understood
75 +225 + 200 CENTS
REJECTED CHROMATIC
(o
100 150
Ó + 3 + 21 PARTS
1/2 + 1/4+ 1 3/4 TONES
100 + SO + 350 CENTS
(Winnington-Ingram 1932). The diatonic with soft chromatic diesis is a
very good approximation to Archytas’s diatonic as well (ibid.). Only
500
the music of his time.
The last two tetrachords in 3-2 were considered unmusical because the
second interval is larger than the first. Winnington-Ingram (1932) has
suggested that Aristoxenos could have denoted Archytas’s enharmonic
tuning as 4 + 3 + 23 parts (67 + 50 + 383), a tuning which suffers from the same
defect as the two rejected ones. A general prejudice against intervals
containing an odd number of parts may have caused Aristoxenos to disallow
UNMELODIC CHROMATIC
o
75
133
4.5 + 3.5 + 22 PARTS
3/8 +7/24+1 5/6 TONES
75 + 58 + 367 CENTS
500
tetrachords such as 5 + II + 14, 5 + 9 + 16 (ibid.), and 5+6+ 19 (Macran
1902).
The alleged discovery of equal temperament
Because a literal interpretation of Aristoxenos’s parts implies equal tem- peraments of either 72 or 144 tones per octave to accommodate the
hemiolic chromatic and related genera, many writers have credited him
with the discovery of the traditional western European 12-tone intonation.
This conclusion would appear to be an exaggeration, at the least. There is
ARISTOXENOS AND THE GEOMETRIZATON OF MUSICAL SPACE
Page 31
View in PDF(opens in a new window)no evidence whatsoever in any of Aristoxenos’s surviving writings or from
any of the later authors in his tradition that equal temperament was intended (Litchfield 1988).
Greek mathematicians would have had no difficulty computing the string
lengths for tempered scales, especially since only two computations for each
tetrachord would be necessary, and only a few more for the complete octave
scale. Methods for the extraction of the square and cube roots of two were
long known, and Archytas, the subject of a biography by Aristoxenos, was
renowned for having discovered a three-dimensional construction for the
cube root of two, a necessary step for dividing the octave into the 12, 24, 36,
72, Or 144 geometric means as required by Aristoxenos’s tetrachords (Heath
[1921] 1981, 1:246-249). Although irrationals were a source of great worry
to Pythagorean mathematicians, by Ptolemy’s time various mechanical
instruments such as the mesolabium had been invented for extracting roots
and constructing geometric means (ibid., 2:104). Yet neither Ptolemy nor
any other writer mentions equal temperament.
Ptolemy, in fact, utterly missed Aristoxenos’s point and misinterpreted
these abstract, logarithmic parts as aliquot segments of a real string of 120
units with 60 units at the octave, 80 at the fifth, and go at the fourth. His
upper tetrachord had only twenty parts, necessitating the use of complicated fractional string lengths to express the actually simple relations in
the upper tetrachords of the octave scales.
There are two obvious explanations for this situation. First, Aristoxenos
was opposed to numeration, holding that the trained ear of the musician
was sufficiently accurate. Second, Greek music was mostly monophonic,
with heterophonic rather than harmonic textures. Although modulations
and chromaticism did exist, they would not have demanded the paratactical
pitches of a tempered gamut (Polansky 1987). There was no pressing need
for equal temperament, and if it was discovered, the fact was not recorded
(for a contrary view, see McClain 1978).
Later writers and Greek notation
Although most of the later theorists continued the geometric approach
taken by Aristoxenos, they added little to our knowledge of Greek music
theory with few exceptions. Cleonides introduced the cipher of thirty parts
to the fourth. Bacchios gave the names of some intervals of three and five
dieses which were alleged to be features of the ancient style, and Aristides
CHAPTER 3
Page 32
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Quintilianus offered a purported list of the ancient harmoniai mentioned
3-3, Two medieval Islamic forms. These two medieval Islamic tetrachords are Aristoxenian approximations to Ptolemy's eguable diatonic. The
Arabs also listed Aristoxenos’s other tetrachords in
their treatises,
by Plato in the Timaeus.
One exception was Alypius, a late author who provided invaluable
information on Greek musical notation. His tables of keys or tonoi were
deciphered independently in the middle of the nineteenth century by
Bellermann (1847) and Fortlage (1847), and made it possible for the few
extant fragments of Greek music to be transcribed into modern notation
and understood. Unfortunately, Greek notation lacked both the numerical
precision of the tuning theories, and the clarity of the system of genera and
modes (chapter 6). Additionally, there are unresolved questions concerning
the choice of alternative, but theoretically equivalent, spellings of certain
passages. Contemplation of these problems led Kathleen Schlesinger to the
heterodox theories propounded in The Greek Aulos.
Others have simply noted that the notation and its nomenclature seem
to have evolved away from the music they served until it became an
NEUTRAL DIATONIC
o
200
350
12 +9 + 9 PARTS
1 + 3/4 + 3/4 TONES
200 + 150 + 150 CENTS
500
Medieval Islamic theorists
As the Roman empire decayed, the locus of musical science moved from
EQUAL DIATONIG
o
167
334
10+ 10+ IO PARTS
5/6 + 5/6 + 5/6 TONES
167 + 167 + 166 CENTS
academic subject far removed from musical needs (Henderson 1957). For
these reasons, little will be said about notation; knowledge of it is not
necessary to understand Greek music theory nor to apply Greek theory to
present-day composition.
500
Alexandria to Byzantium and to the new civilization of Islam. Aristoxenos’s
geometric tradition was appropriated by both the Greek Orthodox church to
describe its liturgical modes. Aristoxenian doctrines were also included in the
Islamic treatises, although arithmetic techniques were generally employed.
The tetrachords of 3-3 were used by Al-Farabi to express 3/4-tone scales
similar to Ptolemy’s equable diatonic in Aristoxenian terms. If one subtracts
10 + 10 + 10 parts from Ptolemy’s string of 120 units, one obtains the series
120 110 100 go, which are precisely the string lengths for the equable
diatonic (12/11-11/10: 10/9). It would appear that the nearly equal
tetrachord 11/10 - 11/10 - 400/363 was not intended.
The tetrachord 12+9+9 yields the permutation 120 108 99 go, or
10/9- 12/11 + 11/10. This latter tuning is similar to others of Al-Farabi and
Avicenna consisting of a tone followed by two 3/4-tone intervals. Other
tetrachords of this type are listed in the Catalog.
ARISTOXENOS AND THE GEOMETRIZATON OF MUSICAL SPACE
Page 33
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Eastern Orthodox liturgical music
The intonation of the liturgical music of the Byzantine and Slavonic
Orthodox churches is a complex problem and different contemporary
authorities offer quite different tunings for the various scales and modes
(echoi). One of the complications is that until recently a system of 28 parts
to the fourth, implying a 68-note octave (28 + 12 + 28 = 68 parts), was in use
along with the Aristoxenian 30 + 12 + 30 parts (Tiby 1938).
Another problem is that the nomenclature underwent a change; the term
enharmonic was applied to both a neo-chromatic and a diatonic genus, and
chromatic was associated with the neo-chromatic forms. Finally, many of
the modes are composed of two types of tetrachord, and both chromaticism
and modulation are commonly employed in melodies.
Given these complexities, only the component tetrachords extracted
from the scales are listed in 3-4. The format of this table differs from that
of 3-1 through 3-3 in that the diagrams have been omitted and partially
replaced by the ratios of plausible arithmetic forms. The four tetrachords
from Tiby which utilize a system of 28 parts to the fourth are removed to
the Tempered section of the Catalog.
3-4. Byzantine and Greek Orthodox tetrachords.
Athanasopoulas’s enbarmonic and diatonic genera
consist ofvarious permutations of 6+12 +12, ie. 12
+6+12. Xenakis permits permutations of the 12 +
11+7 and 6+12+12 genera. A closer, but nonsuperparticular, approximation to Xenakis's intense
chromatic would be 22/21 -6/5 + 35/33.
PARTS
CENTS
RATIOS
9+15+6
6+18+6
6+12+12
12+12+6
ATHANASOPOULOS (1950)
I50+250+100
—
100+300+100 —
:
100+200+200 —
200+200+100 —
GENUS
CHROMATIC
CHROMATIC
DIATONIC
ENHARMONIC
SAVAS (1965)
8+14+8
10+8+12
8+12+I0
I2+12+6
8+16+6
6+20+4
133+233+133
167+133+200
133+200+167
200+200+100
133+267+100
100+333 +67
—
—
—
—
—
—
7+16+7
5+19+6
12+11+7
6+12+12
117+266+117
8343174100
200+183+117
I00+200+200
XENAKIS (1971)
16/15 -7/6- 15/14
SOFT CHROMATIC
256/243 6/5. 135/128 INTENSE CHROMATIC
9/8- 10/9. 16/15
DIATONIC
256/243 -9/8-9/8
ENHARMONIC
22
CHAPTER 3
CHROMATIC
DIATONIC
BARYS DIATONIC
ENHARMONIG
BARYS ENHARMONIC
PALACE MODE (NENANO)
Page 34
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The tetrachords of Athanasopoulos (1950) are clearly Aristoxenian in
origin and inspiration, despite being reordered. One of his chromatics is
Aristoxenos’s soft diatonic and the other is Aristoxenos’s intense chromatic.
The rest of his tetrachords are permutations of Aristoxenos’s intense
diatonic.
Savas’s genera (Savas 1965) may reflect an Arabic or Persian influence,
as diatonics with intervals between 133 and 167 cents are reminiscent of
Al-Farabi’s and Avicenna’s tunings (chapter 2 and the Catalog). They may
plausibly represent 12/11 and 11/10 so that his diatonic tunings are intended to approximate a reordered Ptolemy’s equable diatonic. His
chromatic resembles 14/13 - 8/7: 13/12 and his Barys enharmonic, 15/14:
7/6» 16/15. Savas’s ordinary enharmonic may stand for either Ptolemy’s
intense diatonic (10/9 : 9/8 - 16/15) or the Pythagorean version (256/243 :
9/8 - 9/8). The palace mode could be 15/14 : 6/5 + 28/27 (Ptolemy’s intense
chromatic). The above discussion assumes that some form of just intonation is intended.
The tunings of the experimental composer Iannis Xenakis (1971) are
clearly designed to show the continuity of the Greek Orthodox liturgical
tradition with that of Ptolemy and the other ancient arithmeticians, though
they are expressed in Aristoxenian terms. This continuity is debatable;
internal evidence suggests that the plainchant of the Roman Catholic
church is derived from Jewish cantillation rather than Graeco-Roman
secular music (Idelsohn 1921). It is hard to see how the music of the Eastern
church could have had an entirely different origin, given its location and
common early history. A case for evolution from a common substratum of
Near Eastern music informed by classical Greek theory and influenced by
the Hellenized Persians and Arabs could be made and this might give the
appearance of direct descent.
The robustness of the geometric approach of Aristoxenos is still evident
today after 2300 years. The musicologist James Murray Barbour, a strong
advocate of equal temperament, proposed 2 + 14 + 14 and 8 + 8 + 14 as
Aristoxenian representations of 49/48 - 8/7 .8/7 and 14/13 - 13/12 - 8/7in his
10)
1953 book on the history of musical scales, Tuning and Temperament. With
Xenakis’s endorsement, Aristoxenian principles have become part of the
world of international, or transnational, contemporary experimental music.
In the next chapter the power of the Aristoxenian approach to generate new
musical materials will be demonstrated.
ARISTOXENOS AND THE GEOMETRIZATON OF MUSICAL SPACE
Page 35
View in PDF(opens in a new window)4 The construction of new genera
THIS CHAPTER Is concerned with the construction of new genera in addition to those collated from the texts of the numerous classical, medieval,
and recent writers. The new tetrachords are a very heterogeneous group,
since they were generated by the author over a period of years using a
number of different processes as new methods were learned or discovered.
Including historical tetrachords, the tabulated genera in the catalogs
number 723, of which 476 belong in the Main Catalog, 16 in the reduplicated section, 101 under miscellaneous, 98 in the tempered list, and
32 in the semi-tempered category.
The genera in the Main Catalog are classified according to the size of
their largest or characteristic interval (CI) in decreasing order from 13/10
(454 cents) to 10/9 (182 cents). There are 73 CIs acquired from diverse
historical and theoretical sources (4-1). Sources are documented in the
catalogs. The theoretical procedures for obtaining the new genera are described in this chapter and the next.
New genera derived by linear division
The first of the new genera are those whose Cls are relatively simple
non-superparticular ratios such as 11/9, 14/11, and 16/13. These ratios
were drawn initially from sources such as Harry Partch’s 43-tone, 11-limit
just intonation gamut, but it was discovered later that some of these Cls are
to be found in historical sources as well. The second group is composed of
intervals such as 37/30, which were used sporadically by historical writers.
To these ratios may be added their 4/3’s and 3/2’s complements, e.g. 27/22
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GENERA
Page 36
View in PDF(opens in a new window)4-1. Characteristic intervals (CIs) ofnew genera injust intonation, The CI is the largest interval ofthe tetrachord and the pyknon or apyknon is the difference between the CI and the
fourth. Because many ofthe new genera have historically known CIs, all ofthe Cls in the
Main Catalog are listed in this table. The CIs ofthe reduplicated, miscellaneous, tempered,
and semi-tempered lists are not included in this table,
HYPERENHARMONIC GENERA
The term byperenbarmonic is originally from
EIO
EII
34/27
113/90
18/17
120/113
399 + 99
394+104
C21
C22
20/17
27/23
17/15
92/81
281 +217
278 +220
n whose Cl is greater
and refers to genera
Wilso
E12
64/51
17/16
393 + 105
C23
75/64
256/225
275+223
EI3
5/4
16/15
386+ 112
c24
7/6
8/7
267+231
genusis Wilson's 56/55- 55/54- 9/7. See chapter 5
E14 8192/6561 2187/2048 384 + 114
G25
136/117
39/34
261 +238
for classification schemes.
PYKNON
ci
EIS
E16
379 + 119
376 + 122
026
c27
36/31
80/69
31/27
23/10
259 +239
256+242
028 no
3833
254+ 244
52/45
15173
250724
than 425 cents. Theprototypical byperenbarmonic
CENTS
56/45
41/33
15/14
44/41
HI
Onlie
40/39
454+44
CHROMATIC GENERA
H2
35/27
36/35
449 +49
of the chromatic genera range from 375 to
The Cls
250 cents.
029
DIATONIC GENERA
H3
22/17
34/33
446 + 52
H4
128/99
33/32
445 +53
cı
36/29
29/27
374 +124
The Cls of the diatonic genera range from 250 to
HS
31/24
32/31
443 +55
c2
26/21
14/13
370 + 128
166 cents. In the diatonic genera, a pyknon does not
H6
m7
#8
Ho
ro
art
40/31
58/45
9/7
104/81
50/39
32/25
31/30
30/29
28/27
27/26
26/25
25/24
441 +57
439 + 59
+ 63
435
433 +65
430 +68
427 +71
C3
c4
CS
cé
c7
c8
21/17
100/81
130
37/3
16/13
27/22
11/9
68/63
27/25
of
40/37
13/12
88/81
12/11
366 + 132
365 +133
63 +1
+ 135
303
359+ 139
355 + 143
347 + ISI
exist.
15/13
DI
8/2
D2
30/23
23/20
D3
31/27
D4
39/34
DS
ENHARMONIC GENERA
co
39/32
128/117
342 +156
ns
genera range from 375
The Cls of the enbarmonie
10425 cents,
424+ 73
24/23
23/18
EI
cıo
CII
cI2
28/23
17/14
40/33
23/21
56/51
11/10
341 +157
336 + 162
333 + 165
421+77
cı3
20/24
32/29
52/45
22/1 9
80/69
36/31
136/117
248 + 250
242 +256
5
242 +256
239 +259
238+261
8/7
7/6
231 + 267
D7
D8
Dg
256/225
25/22
92/81
75/64
88/75
27/23
223 +275
221 +277
220 +278
328 + 170
DIO
76/67
67/57
218 +280
E2
88/69
23/22
E3
_ 50/41
160/153
421 +77
ciq
6/5
10/9
316 + 182
DIT
17/15
20/17
217 +281
14/11
22/21
418 +81
Cis
25/21
28/25
302 + 196
DI2
112/99
33/28
298 + 201
294 + 204
293+205
289 + 209
284 +214
DI3 44/39
DI4 152/135
DIS 9/8
DI6 160/143
DI7 10/9
13/11
45/38
32/27
143/120
214 + 284
209 + 289
205 + 293
+ 294
204
194+304
6/5
182 + 316
E4
Es
E6
E7
E8
EQ
80/63
33/26
10/15
81/64
24/19
21/20
104/99
20/19
256/243
19/18
414 +84
413+85
409 + 89
408+ 90
404 +94
cı6
cı7
cı8
cıg
c2o
19/16
32/27
45/38
13/11
33/28
64/57
9/8
152/135
44/39
CHAPTER 4
Page 37
View in PDF(opens in a new window)is the 3/2’s complement of 11/9 and 52/45 the 4/3’s complement of 15/13.
Various genera were then constructed by dividing the pykna or apykna by
linear division into two or three parts to produce 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 divisions.
Both the 1:2 and 2:1 divisions were made to locate genera composed mainly
of superparticular ratios. Even Ptolemy occasionally had to reorder the
4-2. Indexed genera. The terms4 and 3 which
represent the 1/1 and 4/3 ofthefinal tetrachord are
multiplied by the index. The lefthand sets of
tetrachords
are those generated by selecting and
recombining the successive intervals resultingfrom
the additional terms after the multiplication. The
righthand sets oftetrachords have been reduced to
lowest terms and ordered with the CI uppermost.
intervals resulting from triple division before recombining two of them to
produce the two intervals of the pyknon (2-2 and 2-4). More complex divisions were found either by inspection or by katapyknosis with larger
multipliers,
Indexed genera
One useful technique, originated by Ervin Wilson, is a variation of the
katapyknotic process. In 4-2 this technique is applied to the 4/3 rather than
MULTIPLIER: 4 TERMS: 16 15 14 13 X2
16/15: 15/14- 14/12
16/15-15/13: 13/12
16/14: 14/13 - 13/12
MULTIPLIER: 5
TERMS: 20 19
20/19- 19/18- 18/15
20/19: 19/17 17/15
20/19- 19/16: 16/15
20/18: 18/17: 17/15
20/18 - 18/16: 16/15
20/17: 17/16: 16/15
MULTIPLIER: 6
16/15 - 15/14- 7/6
16/15 - 13/12 > 15/13
14/13 . 13/12 «8/7
18 17 16 15
20/19: 19/18 :6/5
20/19: 19/17: 17/15
20/19: 16/15 - 19/16
18/17. 10/9- 17/15
: 9/8
16/15- 10/9
17/16: 16/15 : 20/17
TERMS: 24 23 22 21201918
24/13: 23/22 ‚22/18
24/23: 23/21 - 21/18
24/23 +23/20: 20/18
24/23: 23/19: 19/18*
24/22 -22/21 - 21/18
24/22 - 22/20: 20/18
24/22 + 22/19- 19/18
24/21 «21/20- 20/18
24/21 - 21/19: 19/18
24/10: 20/19 + 19/18
* see Catalog number 536.
24/23- 23/22: 11/9
24/23: 23/21 - 7/6
- 23/20
24/23. 10/9
24/23: 19/18 . 23/19
22/21: 12/11 7/6
12/11: 11/10 + 10/9
19/18- 12/11: 22/19
21/20: 10/9- 8/7
19/18: 21/19 - 8/7
» 6/5
20/19: 19/18
to the pyknon (as it wasin 2-4). The 1/1 and 4/3 of the undivided tetrachord
are expressed as 3 and 4, and are multiplied by a succession of numbers of
increasing magnitude, The new terms resulting from such a multiplication
and all the intermediate numbers define a set of successive intervals which
may be sequentially recombined to yield the three intervals of tetrachords.
I have termed the multiplier, the index, and the resulting genera indexed
genera. The intermediate terms are a sequence of arithmetic means between
the extremes.
The major shortcoming of this procedure is that the number of genera
grows rapidly with the index. There are 120 genera of index 17, and not all
of these are worth cataloguing, since other genera of similar melodic contours and simpler ratios are already known and tabulated. The technique is
still of interest, however, to generate sets of tetrachords with common
numerical relations for algorithmic composition.
Pentachordal families
Archytas’s genera were devised so that they made the interval 7/6 between
their common first interval, 28/27, and the note a 9/8 below the first note
of the tetrachord (Erickson 1965; Winnington-Ingram 1932; see also 6-1).
Other first intervals (x) may be chosen so that in combination with the
9/8 they generate harmonically and melodically interesting intervals.
These intervals may be termed pentachordal intervals (PI) as they are part of
a pentachordal, rather than a tetrachordal tonal sequence. Three such
groups or families of tetrachords are given in 4-3 along with their initial and
pentachordal intervals.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GENERA
Page 38
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The 28/27 family is an expansion of Archytas’s set of genera. The 40/39
family fits quite well into 24-tone equal temperament because of the reasonably close approximation of many of the ratios of 13 to quarter-tone
intervals. The 15/13 is another plausible tuning for the interval of five
4-3. Pentachordal intervals andfamilies. These
tetrachords are defined by two parameters: the
dieses which was reputed to be a feature of the oldest scales (chapter 6;
Bacchios, 320 CE in Steinmayer 1985). The 16/15 family contains the most
consonant tunings of the chromatic and diatonic genera.
The pentachordal intervals of 4-3 are the mediants (“thirds”) of the triads
pentachordal interval, 9x/8, and the characteristic
interval, which determines the genus. An initial
interval x results in a pentachordal interval (PI) of
9x/8. These pentachordalfamilies are the most
which generate the tritriadic scales of chapter 7, where they are discussed in
important tritriadic genera ofchapter 7. The initials
are thefirst intervals ofthe tetrachords.
greater detail. In general, all tetrachords containing a medial 9/8 may
function as generators of tritriadic scales.
DISJUNCTIVE TONES
/
8/9 1/1
gnome INTERVALS
x
y
4/3
3/2 32 3ylı 2/1
ZO
PENTACHORDAL INTERVALS
x= 40/39, PI=15/13
ENHARMONIC
40/39 + 39/38 - 19/15
ERATOSTHENES
40/39 + 26/25 - 5/4
AVICENNA
CHROMATIG
40/39 + 13/12 - 6/5
40/39 - 39/35 + 7/6
40/39 + 11/10 + 13/11
DIATONIC
40/39 : 52/45 + 9/8
BARBOUR
INITIAL
16/15
28/27
13/12
112/99
44/39
68/63
256/243
136/117
80/68
92/81
PI
6/5
7/6
39/32
14/11
33/26
17/14
32/27
17/13
30/23
23/18
INITIAL
10/9
12/11
128/117
40/39
104/99
64/57
9/8
7/6
56/45
184/171
x=28/27, Pla 7/6
ENHARMONIC
ARCHYTAS
28/27 è 36/35 « 5/4
CHROMATIG
ARCHYTAS
28/27 - 243/224+ 32/27
PTOLEMY
28/27: 15/14 : 6/5
27/26
:
26/21
MAIN
CATALOG
28/27 «
DIATONIC
ARCHYTAS
28/27: 8/7 + 9/8
MAIN CATALOG
28/27« 39/35 + 15/13
40/39 : 91/80 - 8/7
28
CHAPTER 4
PI
5/4
27/22
16/13
15/13
13/11
24/19
81/64
21/16
23/20
57/46
INITIAL
8/7
88/81
22/21
52/45
56/51
19/18
52/51
64/63
24/23
76/69
PI
9/7
11/9
33/28
13/10
21/17
19/16
39/34
8/7
27/23
23/19
x=16/15, PI=6/5
CHROMATIC
DIDYMOS
16/15 - 25/24 + 6/5
AL-FARABI
16/15: 15/14- 7/6
16/15- 20/19 + 19/16
KORNERUP
DIATONIC
PTOLEMY
16/15 - 9/8. 10/9
16/15: 13/12 - 15/13
MAIN CATALOG
Page 39
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Mean tetrachords
The mathematician and musician Archytas may have been the first to recognize the importance of the arithmetic, harmonic, and geometric means
to music. He was credited with renaming the mean formerly called the
“subcontrary” as the harmonic mean because it produced more pleasing
melodic divisions than the arithmetic mean (Heath [1921] 1981; Erickson
4-4. Means: formulae and equivalent expressions
from Heath 1921, 1:85-87, exceptfor the
logarithmtic, ratio, and root mean square means.
Number 12 is the framework ofthe scale when a = 12
andb = 6. The tetrachords generated by number 17
are extremely close numerically to the counterlogarithmicmean tetrachords ofthe other kinds.
They also resemble the subcontraries to the geometric
means.
1, ARITHMETIC
(a-b)/(b-c) =a/a=b/bmec/c a+c=2b
1965). His own tunings were constructed by the application of only the
harmonic and arithmetic means, but there were actually nine other means
known to Greek mathematicians and which might be used to construct
tetrachords (Heath [1921] 1981).
To this set of twelve may be added the root mean square or quadratic mean
and four of my own invention whose definitions are given along with the
historical ones in 4-4. The logarithmic mean divides an interval into two
parts, the ratio of whose widths is the inverse of the ratio of the extremes
of the interval, For example, the logarithmic mean divides the 2/1 into two
10. UNNAMED (SAME AS FIBONACCI SERIES)
(a-c)\/(a-b) =b/e a=b+c
2, GEOMETRIC
11, UNNAMED
(a-b)/(b-c)=atb=b/e ac=b?
(a-dHa-b)=a/b a? =2ab-be
3. HARMONIG
I2. MUSICAL PROPORTION
a:(a+b)/2 = 2ab/(a +b):b
(a-b)/(b-c)=ale 1/a+1/c=2/b
b=2ac/(a+c)
4. SUBCONTRARY TO HARMONIC
(@-c)/(b-c)=c/a (a? +2)/(a+c) =b
5. FIRST SUBCONTRARY TO GEOMETRIC
(a-b)/b-g=cAb a=b+c-2/b
6. SECOND SUBCONTRARY TO GEOMETRIC
(a-b)/b-c)=b/a c=a+b-a°/b
7.
UNNAMED
(a-b-)=ate È=zac-ab
13. LOGARITHMIC MEAN
logb=(clogaraloge)/(a +) (ba)= (cb)?
14. COUNTER-LOGARITHMIC MEAN
logb=(aloga+clogc)/(a+c) (ba)a=(wb)c
15. RATIO MEAN
(a-)/0-c)mxly ca(bx-4))/(x-3)
16, SECOND RATIO MEAN
(a-c}/(a-b)=x/y c=(ay-ax+bx)/y
8, UNNAMED
17. ROOT MEAN SQUARE
(a-c/(a-bj=ak a? +2 =4(b+#c)
bav((a2+00)/2) Pm(a+c*)/2
9. UNNAMED
(a-)/b-o)=b/e P+mc(s +b)
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GENERA
Page 40
View in PDF(opens in a new window)4-5. Generating tetrachords with means.
intervals of 400 and 800 cents in the proportion of 1:2 (0, 400, and 1200
cents). The counter-logarithmic mean effects the same division in the opposite order, i.e., 800 and 400 cents (0, 800, and 1200 cents).
MEAN TETRACHORDS OF THE FIRST KIND
8/9
1/1
4/3
HYPERH. H.MESON PARHYPATE LICHANOS
L
ji
3/2
MESE PARAMESE
+
8 of 4-4, differing only in that the ratio of the difference of the extremes to
the difference between the mean and one of the extremes is dependent
upon the parameter x.
There are still other types of mean, but these seventeen are sufficient to
FIRST MEAN
1
mal
|
The two ratio means, numbers 15 and 16, are variations of numbers 7 and
generate a considerable number of tetrachords (4-6-8) and may be of further utility in the algorithmic generation of melodies.
The most obvious procedures for generating tetrachords from these
means are shown in 4-5. Mean tetrachords of the first kind are constructed
by first calculating the lichanos as the mean between 1/1 and 4/3, or
equivalently between 4 = 4 and and c = 3. The next step is the computation
SECOND MEAN
Lichanos is defined as the appropriate mean between
Aypate meson (1/1) and mese (4/3). Parhypate is then
computed as the identical mean between lichanos and
hypate.
of parhypate as the same mean between 1/1 and the just calculated lichanos
MEAN TETRACHORDS OF THE SECOND KIND
8/9
w/t
4/3
3/2
HYPERH,
H.MESON PARHYPATE LICHANOS
MESE PARAMESE
(4-6). Tetrachords of the second kind have the mean operations performed
in reverse order (4-7). Tetrachords of the third kind are found by taking the
means between 1/1 and 3/2 and between 8/9 and 4/3 (4-8); the smaller is
defined as parhypate; the larger becomes the lichanos.
FIRST MEAN
The construction of sets of genera analogous to those of Archytas, which
are composed of a mean between 8/9 and 4/3 and its “subcontrary” or
“counter”-mean between 8/9 and 32/27 (Erickson 1965; Winnington-
SECOND MEAN
Parhypate is defined as the appropriate mean between
hypate meson (t/t) and mese (4/3). Lichanos is then
computed as the identical mean between parbypate and
mese.
MEAN TETRACHORDS OF THE THIRD KIND
8/9
1/1
4/3
HYPERH, H.MESON
PARHYPATE LICHANOS
|
3/2
MESE PARAMESE
FIRST MEAN
12/11 - 11/10: 10/0, 10/9 - 11/10 : 12/11. The geometric mean equivalent is
the new genus 166.667 + 166.667 + 166.667 cents (see the discussion of
tempered tetrachords below).
N
L
Ingram 1932), is left for future investigations as it involves deep questions
about the integration of intervals into musical systems.
Multiple means may be defined for the arithmetic, harmonic, and geometric means. The insertion of two arithmetic or harmonic means into the
4/3 results in Ptolemy’s equable diatonic and its intervallic retrograde,
4
SECOND MEAN
Lichanos is defined as the appropriate mean between
bypate meson (1/1) and paramese (3/2). Parbypate is
then computed as the identical mean between mese (4/3)
and byperkypate (8/9).
CHAPTER 4
Page 41
View in PDF(opens in a new window)4-6, Mean tetrachords ofthefirst kind. The lichanoi are the means between 1/1 and 4/3; the
barbypatai are the means between 1/1 and the lichanoi.
I, ARITHMETIC
t/t
2,
5 . FIRST SUBCONTRARY TO GEOMETRIC
6, SECOND SUBCONTRARY TO GEOMETRIC
7. UNNAMED
8 UNNAMED
9. UNNAMED
10, FIBONACCI SERIES
IL, UNNAMED
12, MUSICAL PROPORTION
LO 1.07457 1.15470 1.33333
vi 16/15 8/7 4/3
t/t 533/483 25/21 4/3
1.0 109429 1.18046 1.33333
LO 1.09185 1.17704 1.33333
1/1 6/5 5/4 4/3
ui 157/156 13/12 4/3
1.0 1.21677 1.26376 1.33333
NO SOLUTION
ir 256/255 16/15 4/3
1/1 8/7 7/6 4/3
13. LOGARITHMIC MEAN
LO
1.05956
1.33333
1.05956 : 1.06763 - 1.17867
14. COUNTER-LOGARITHMIC MEAN
IS, RATIO MEAN (X/Y = 4/3)
16, SECOND RATIO MEAN (X/Y = 4/3)
17. ROOT MEAN SQUARE
10
1/1
1/1
LO
1.09301 1.17867 1.33333
19/16 5/4 4/3
157/156 13/12 4/3
1.09290 1.17851 1.33333
109301 + 1.07837 + 1.13122
19/16 - 20/19 - 16/15
157/156
- 169/157 + 16/13
1.09291 « 1.078328: 1.13137
GEOMETRIC
3 ‚ HARMONIC
4 . SUBCONTRARY TO HARMONIC
13/12
7/6
4/3
1.13122
13/12 + 14/13 - 8/7
1.07457‘ 1.07457: 1.15470
16/15 15/14- 7/6
533/483 + 575/533 - 28/25
1.09429 : 1.07874 : 1.12950
1.09185 - 1.07803 : 1.13278
6/5 «25/24+ 16/15
157/156
- 169/157 : 16/13
1.21677 « 1.03862 - 1.05505
256/255 - 17/16 : 5/4
8/7
- 49/48 - 8/7
139+128
+ 231
125 +125 +249
II2 +119
+ 267
I7I+I3I +196
156+13I +211
152 +130 +216
316+
71 +112
II +128
+ 359
340+66+93
7 + 105
+ 386
231+ 364231
100+ 113 +285
154+ 131 +213
208+89 +112
11 +128 +359
154+131+214
4-7. Mean terrachords ofthe second kind, The parhypatai are the means between 1/1 and 4/3; the
lichanoi are the means between the parbypatai and 4/3.
I.
ARITHMETIC
2.
GEOMETRIC
3
4
HARMONIC
5
FIRST SUBCONTRARY TO GEOMETRIC
SUBCONTRARY TO HARMONIC
6. SECOND SUBCONTRARY TO GEOMETRIC
7. UNNAMED
8. UNNAMED
9 UNNAMED
10, FIBONACCI SERIES
II. UNNAMED
12. MUSICAL PROPORTION
13. LOGARITHMIC MEAN
14. COUNTER-LOGARITHMIC MEAN
15. RATIO MEAN (x/v=4/3)
16. RATIO MEAN (x/v=4/3)
17. ROOT MEAN SQUARE
1/1
LO
1/1
1/1
Lo
LO
1/1
1/1
7/6 5/4 4/3
1.15470 1.24081 1.33333
8/7 16/13 4/3
25/21 1409/1113 4/3
118046 1:25937 1.33333
1.17704 1.25748 1.33333
5/4 85/64 4/3
13/12 217/192 4/3
LO 126376 1.3299 1.33333
NO SOLUTION
1/1 16/15 10/9 4/3
1/1 8/7 7/6 4/3
LO 113122 1.21987 1.33333
10 117867 1.25839 1.33333
ri 5/4 21/16 4/3
t/t 13/12 55/48 4/3
1.0 117851 1.22583 1.33333
31
7/6 15/14 16/15
267 +IIg+I1z
115470: 1.07457 - 1.07457
8/7 14/13 - 13/12
25/21 > 1409/1325 : 1484/1409
1.18046 : 1.06685 : 1.05873
1.17704: 1.06833 : 1.06032
§/4+17/16+ 256/255
13/12 + 217/208 - 256/217
1.26376- 1.05321 - 1.00260
249 +125 +125
231 +128 +139
302 + 106 +90
287+112 +09
282+114+ 101
386+105+7
139+ 73 +286
405+88+4
16/15 + 25/24+ 6/5
8/7 + 49/48 + 8/7
1.13122 + 1.07837 - 1.09301
1.17867 : 1.06763 : 1.05956
5/4: 21/20 - 64/63
112+71+316
231+36+23
213+131+154
285+ 113 + 100
386+ 84 +27
139 + 07 +262
284+ 113 + 100
13/12 + 55/52 + 64/55
1.17851 : 1.067708 - 1.059625
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GENERA
Page 42
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Summation tetrachords
Closely related to these applications of the various means is a simple
nique which generates certain historically known tetrachords as v
some unusual divisions. Wilson has called this freshman sums, and h
plied it in many different musical contexts (Wilson 1974, 1986, 1989
numerators and denominators of two ratios are summed separat
obtain a new fraction of intermediate size (Lloyd and Boyle 1978
example, the freshman sum of 1/1 and 4/3 is 5/4 , and the sum of 5.
1/1 is 6/5. These ratios define the tetrachord 1/1 6/5 5/4 4/3. Similar
“sum” of 5/4 and 4/3 is 9/7, and these ratios delineate the 1/1 5/4 9
tetrachord, The former is a permutation of Didymos’s chromatic gen
the latter is the inversion of Archytas’s enharmonic. If one emp
multiplier/index as in 4-2 and expresses the 1/1 as 2/2, 3/3...,, ani
set of graded tetrachords may be generated. The most important a
a
saa
+H
Atm
FF
LS
M
»
H
HH
ee
©
2 SAAN
Dw PH
4-8. Mean tetrachords ofthe third kind. The lichanoi ofthese tetrachords are the means between 1/1
and 3/2; the parbypatai are the means berween 8/9
and 4/3, These tetracbords are also tritriadic genera,
ARITHMETIC
GEOMETRIC
HARMONIC
SUBCONTRARY TO HARMONIC
FIRST SUBCONTRARY TO GEOMETRIC
SECOND SUBCONTRARY TO GEOMETRIC
UNNAMED
UNNAMED
UNNAMED
. FIBONACCI SERIES
+ UNNAMED
. MUSICAL PROPORTION
. LOGARITHMIC MEAN
. COUNTER-LOGARITHMIC MEAN
+ RATIO MEAN (X/y = 2/1)
» RATIO MEAN (X/¥ = 2/1)
. ROOT MEAN SQUARE
teresting ones are tabulated in 4-9.
Similarly, the multiplier may be applied to the 4/3 rather than the
yield 8/6, 12/9... . The resulting tetrachords fall into the enharmor
hyperenharmonic classes and very quickly comprise intervals too sr
be musically useful. A few of the earlier members are listed in 4-10.
1/1 10/9 5/4 4/3
1.0 1.08866 1.22474 133333
1/1 16/15 6/5 4/3
1/1 52/45 13/12 4/3
LO 1.13847 1.28078 1.33333
LO 1.12950 1.27069 1.33333
NO SOLUTION
1/1 28/27 7/6 4/3
NO SOLUTION
NO SOLUTION
NO SOLUTION
NOT DEFINED
LO 1.04540 1.17608 1.33333
LO 1.13371 1.27542 1.33333
1/1 10/9 5/4 4/3
1/1 10/9 5/4 4/3
LO 1.1331 1.27475 133333
32
CHAPTER 4
10/9 - 9/8 : 16/15
1.08866 . 1.125 : 1.08866
16/15 - 9/8» 10/9
1.13847 - 1.125 - 1.04Io
1.1295 + 1.125+ 1.0493
182 + 204 + II
147 + 204 + 14
112 + 204+ 18
250+ 204
+ 44
225 + 204+ 70
211 + 204+ 83
28/27 -9/8 - 8/7
63 + 2044+ 231
1.0454 1.125+ 1.1337
77 +204+21
217
+ 204 + 77
182+ 204+ 11
182+ 204+ 11
216+ 204+ 78
52/45 + 9/8 40/39
1.1337 1.125 + 1.0454
10/9
- 9/8 - 16/15
+ 9/8 - 16/15
1.1331 «1.125 - 1.04595
Page 43
View in PDF(opens in a new window)TETRACHORD
1/1 6/5 5/4 4/3
RATIOS
6/5 + 25/24- 16/15
SOURCE
DIDYMOS
4-9. Summation tetrachords of the first type.
2.
1/1 5/4 9/7 4/3
5/4: 36/35 + 28/27
ARCHYTAS
Unreduced ratios bave been retained to clarify the
generating process.
3.
4.
5.
6
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12,
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
2/2 8/7 6/5 4/3
2/2 6/5 10/8 4/3
3/3 10/9 7/6 4/3
3/3 7/6 11/9 4/3
4/4 12/11 8/7 4/3
4/4 8/7 12/10 4/3
5/5 14/13 9/8 4/3
5/5 9/8 13/11 4/3
6/6 16/15 10/9 4/3
6/6 10/9 14/12 4/3
7/7 18/17 11/10 4/3
7/7 11/10 15/13 4/3
8/8 20/19 12/11 4/3
8/8 12/11 16/14 4/3
9/9 22/21 13/12 4/3
9/9 13/12 17/15 443
10/10 24/23 14/13 4/3
10/10 14/13 18/16 4/3
II/IT 26/25 15/14 4/3
11/11 15/14 19/17 4/3
12/12 28/27 16/15 4/3
12/12 16/15 20/18 4/3
8/7: 21/20+ 10/9
6/5-25/24: 16/15
10/9 + 21/20 + 8/7
9/6- 22/21 - 12/11
12/11 - 22/21 7/6
8/7. 21/20. 10/9
14/13 - 117/112 » 32/27
9/8 - 104/99 - 44/39
16/15-25/24 6/5
10/9- 21/20 + 7/6
18/17 : 187/180 : 40/33
11/10: 150/143 : 52/45
20/19 - 57/55 11/9
12/11 + 22/21 : 7/6
22/21 + 91/88 - 16/13
13/12 - 68/65
: 20/17
24/23 161/156 : 26/21
14/13-117/I12 - 32/27
26/25- 375/364- 56/45
15/14 266/255 - 68/57
28/27: 36/35: 5/4
16/15- 25/24 -6/5
PTOLEMY
DIDYMOS
PTOLEMY
PTOLEMY
PTOLEMY
PTOLEMY
MISC. CAT.
MAIN CAT.
DIDYMOS
PTOLEMY
MISC, CAT,
MISC. CAT.
MAIN CAT,
PTOLEMY
MISC. CAT.
MAIN CAT,
MISC. CAT.
MISC. CAT.
MISC. CAT.
MISC. CAT.
ARCHYTAS
DIDYMOS
I.
TETRACHORD
r/ı 10/8 9/7 8/6
RATIOS
5/4 36/35 « 28/27
SOURCE
ARCHYTAS
4-10. Summation tetrachords
of the second type.
2.
1/1 9/7 17/13 8/6
9/7-119/117: 52/51
MISC. CAT.
Unreduced ratios bave been retained to clarify the
generating process.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
14/11 + 143/140 : 40/39
13/10 + 250/247 : 76/75
9/7: 119/117
- 52/51
17/13 429/425 100/99
22/17: 357/352 : 64/63
2r/16-656/651. 124/123
13/10: 250/247 76/75
25/19 -931/925 148/147
MISC, CAT,
MISC. CAT.
MISC. CAT,
MISC. CAT.
MISC. CAT.
MISC. CAT,
MISC. CAT,
Misc. CAT.
33
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GENERA
14/11 13/10 12/9
13/10 25/19 12/9
18/14 17/13 16/12
17/13 33/25 16/12
22/17 21/16 20/15
21/16 41/31 20/15
26/20 25/19 24/18
25/19 49/37 24/18
Page 44
View in PDF(opens in a new window)PARTS
CENTS
APPROXIMATION
PTOLEMAIC INTERPRETA
80/79- 79/78
- 13/10
ENHARMONIC
genera with
4-11, Neo-Aristoxenian
constant CI,
1.5+1.5+27
25+25+450
80/79
: 79/78 - 13/10
1+2+27
17+ 33 +450
120/119 - 119/117+ 13/10
120/119 - 119/117- 13/1
56/55: 55/54 9/7
44/43 43/42 14/11
55/54: 36/35 - 14/11
60/59: 59/57: 19/15
40/39 - 39/38 19/15
56/55 22/21. 5/4
60/59 - 59/58. 58/45
48/47 - 47/46 : 23/18
- 23/18
60/59- 118/115
60/59 » 59/57 + 19/15
40/39 - 38/39 - 19/15
60/59- 118/113
- 113/9c
2+2+26
33 +33 +433
2.5+2.5+25
2+3+25
2+4+24
3+3+24
2+5+23
42+42+417
33 +50+417
33 + 67 +400
50+ 50 + 400
33+83+383
3+4+23
50 + 67 +383
36/35 28/27 - 5/4
40/39- 117/113
- 113/9¢
3.5+3.5+23
584584383
32/31 : 31/30 - 5/4
240/233 + 233/226. 113,
CHROMATIG
2+6+22
8/3+16/3+22
3+5 +22
4+4+ 22
2+7+21
3+6+21
33 + 100+ 367
44+89+367
50+ 83 + 367
67 + 67 + 367
33 + 117 + 350
50 + 100+ 350
51/50: 18/17: 100/81
40/39 - 21/20: 26/21
34/33 - 22/21 + 21/17
28/27 + 27/26 - 26/21
56/55» 15/14 11/9
34/33 18/17: 11/9
60/59 - 59/56 : 56/45
45/44 - 22/21 + 56/45
40/39+ 117/112
- 56/45
30/29 - 29/28 - 56/45
60/59- 118/111
- 37/30
40/39« 39/37
- 37/30
4+5+21
67+ 83 +350
28/27. 22/21: 27/22
30/29- 116/111
- 37/30
4.5+4.5+21
2+10+18
3+9+18
4+8+18
4.5+7.5+18
5+7+18
6+6+18
75+75+350
33 + 167 + 300
50+ 150+ 300
67 + 133 +300
754125 +300
83 + 117 + 300
100+100+300
24/23 « 23/22 + 11/9
45/44 11/10: 32/27
33/32 12/11 » 32/27
28/27 + 243/224: 32/27
25/24: 27/25 + 32/27
21/20+ 15/14+ 32/27
256/243 - 2187/2048 - 32/27
80/77 - 77/74: 37/30
60/59 - 59/54 6/5
40/39 + 13/12 + 6/5
30/29 - 29/27 - 6/5
80/77: 77/72 + 6/5
24/23 - 115/108 - 6/5
20/19 - 19/18 - 6/5
33 + 217 + 250
50+200+250
67 + 183 +250
83 + 167 +250
100+217+250
117 + 217 +250
125 125 +250
33 +267+200
50+ 250 +200
67+ 233
+ 200
75+225 +200
83+ 217 +200
100+200+200
117+183+200
113 +167+200
45/44
: 44/39 + 52/45
34/33
- 19/17: 22/19
27/26: 10/9 + 52/45
104/99+ 11/10
- 15/13
19/18 + 12/119
22/19
104/97 + 97/909 15/13
15/14 + 14/13 + 52/45
64/63 + 7/6: 9/8
40/39 - 52/45 + 9/8
28/27 - 8/7 + 9/8
24/23-92/81: 9/8
22/21: 112/90 - 9/8
256/243 9/8
- 9/8
16/15: 10/9-9/8
320/297: 11/10 : 9/8
60/59 - 118/105 - 7/6
40/39
- 39/35 : 7/6
30/29- 116/105
: 7/6
24/23-23/21:7/6
20/19
- 38/35 : 7/6
120/113 - 113/105 : 7/6
16/15
- 15/14 : 7/6
60/59: 59/51. 17/15
40/39- 39/34- 17/15
30/29
- 58/51 - 17/15
80/77-77/68. 17/15
24/23 - 115/102
- 17/15
20/19- 19/17
17/15
120/113
- 113/102 - 17/1
15/14 56/51. 17/15
DIATONIG
2+13 +15
3+12 +15
4+11+15
5 +10 +15
6+9+15
7+8+15
75+75+15
2+16+12
3+15+12
4+14+ 12
4.5+13.5+12
5+13+12
6+12+12
34 CHAPTER 4
Page 45
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Neo-Aristoxenian tetrachords with Ptolemaic interpretations
While Aristoxenos may have been documenting contemporary practice,
even a cursory look at his tables suggests that many plausible neo-
Aristoxenian genera could be constructed to “fill in the gaps” in his set. The
most obvious missing genera are a diatonic with enharmonic diesis, 3 + 15
+12 (50 + 250+ 200cents), a parachromatic, 5 + § + 20(83 + 83 +334 cents), and
a new soft diatonic, 7.5+7.5+15 (125 +125+250 Cents).
Although Aristoxenos favored genera with 1:1 divisions of the pyknon,
Ptolemy and the Islamic writers preferred the 1:2 relation. More complex
divisions, of course, are also possible. 4-11 lists a number of neoAristoxenian genera in which the CI is held constant and the pyknotic division is varied. With the exception of the first five genera which represent
byperenharmonic forms and three which are a closer approximation of the
enharmonic (383 cents, rather than 400 cents), only Aristoxenos’s CIs are
used,
For each tempered genus an approximation in just intonation is selected
from a genus in the Main Catalog. Furthermore, an approximation in terms
of fractional parts of a string of 120 units of length, analogous to Ptolemy’s
interpretation of Aristoxenos’s genera, is also provided. While these
Ptolemaic interpretations are occasionally quite close to the ideal tempered
forms, they often deviate substantially. One should note, however, that the
Ptolemaic approximations are more accurate for the smaller intervals than
the larger.
Intervals whose sizes fall between one third and one half of the perfect
fourth may be be repeated within the tetrachord, leaving a remainder less
than themselves. These are termed reduplicated genera and a representative set of such neo-Aristoxenian tetrachords with reduplication is
shown in 4-12.
APPROXIMATION
4-12. Neo-Aristoxenian genera with
PARTS
CENTS
reduplication.
2+14+14
4+13+13
6+12+12
8+11+11
IO+10+10
49/48 8/7 - 8/7
344233 +233
67 +217 +217
300/289- 17/15-17/15
1004200+200
256/243:9/8-9/8
133+183+183 = 27/25+10/9+
10/9
16641674167
Ir/io-II/10- 400/363
35
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GENERA
PTOLEMAIC INTERPRETATION
60/59 : 59/52 - 52/45
30/29: 116/103- 103/90
20/19+ 19/17+ 17/15
16/14: 112/101
12/11: 11/10. 10/9
Page 46
View in PDF(opens in a new window)4-13. Neo-Aristoxenian genera with
constant pyknoticproportions.
I:I PYKNON
1.5+1.5+27
2+2+26
2.5+2.5 +25
3+3+24
3.5 +3.5 +23
4+4+22
4.5+4.5+2E
5+5+20
CENTS
APPROXIMATION
25+25+450
80/79 + 79/78 . 13/10
33 +33 + 433
42 + 42 + 417
50 + 50 + 400
56/55: 55/54: 9/7
44/43: 43/42 + 14/11
40/39* 39/38: 19/15
32/31 - 31/30 - 5/4
58 + 58 + 383
67 +67
+ 367
75 +75+ 350
83 + 83 + 334
55 +5-5 +19
92 +92+ 317
6+6+18
100 + 100 + 300
108 + 108
+ 283
117+ 117
+ 267
125 +125 +250
6.5+6.5+17
7+7+16
75 +75 +15
8+8+14
8.5+8.5+13
9+9+12
9.5 +9.5 +II
Io+ IO
+ IO
1:2 PYKNON
I+2+27
4/3 +8/3 +26
5/3 +10/3 +25
2+4+24
7/3 +14/3 +23
8/3 + 16/3+ 22
3+6+21
10/3 +20/3 + 20
11/3 + 22/3 + 19
4+8+18
13/3 +26/3 +17
14/3+ 28/3 + 16
5 +10+ 15
16/3 + 32/3 + 14
17/3 + 34/3 +13
6+12+12
36
133 + 133 +234
142 + 142 +217
150+ 150+ 200
158 +158+ 183
166
+ 166+ 167
17+33+450
22+44+433
28+56+417
33 +67 +400
39 +78+ 383
44 + 89 + 367
50+ 100+ 350
56+ III + 333
61 +122 + 317
67 +133 + 300
72 + 144+ 283
78+ 156
+ 267
83 +167 +250
89+ 178
+ 233
94+ 189+ 217
IOO + 200 + 200
CHAPTER 4
28/27 27/26- 26/21
24/23 ‚23/22: 11/9
22/21 «21/20: 40/33
20/19 - 19/18 - 6/5
18/17 - 17/16: 32/27
17/16- 16/15 + 20/17
16/15 - 15/14 - 7/6
15/14- 14/13 + 52/45
14/13 -13/12 7/6
40/37: 37/34- 17/15
64/59- 59/54: 9/8
12/11: 11/10. 10/9
11/10: 11/10: 400/363
120/119 - 119/117 : 13/10
84/83 : 83/81 - 9/7
64/63 + 33/32 . 14/11
57/56 - 28/27: 24/19
46/45 - 24/23 "5/4
40/39 - 21/20: 26/21
34/33: 18/17 - 11/9
33/32: 16/15 - 40/33
28/27: 15/14 6/5
27/26: 13/12 + 32/27
51/49» 49/45 + 20/17
22/21. 12/11. 7/6
104/99: 11/10: 15/13
21/20- 10/9 - 8/7
20/19 + 19/17 + 20/17
256/243 + 9/8 + 9/8
PTOLEMAIC INTERPRETA
80/79 « 79/78. 13/10
60/59 : 59/58. 58/45
48/47 + 47/46 : 23/18
40/39- 39/38 - 19/15
240/233 - 233/226 -113/
30/29 - 29/28. 56/45
80/77 - 77/74: 37/30
24/23 - 23/22 11/9
240/229 : 229/218 - 109/
20/19 + 19/18. 6/5
240/227 + 227/214+ 107/
120/113 - 113/106 + 53/4:
16/15 - 15/14 : 7/6
15/14: 14/13 - 52/45
240/223 - 223/206 - 103/
40/37: 37/34 17/15
240/221 + 221/202 + 101/1
12/11 + 11/10 + 10/9
120/119- 119/117+ 13/1
90/89 - 89/87 : 58/45
72/71 + 71/69 : 23/18
60/59 - 59/57 19/15
360/353 + 353/339 113/
45/44 : 22/21 56/45
40/39 - 39/37 + 37/30
36/35 - 35/33 «11/9
360/349 + 349/327 109/
30/29 : 29/27 + 6/5
360/347 - 347/321 - 107/
180/173 - 173/159 - 53/4.
24/23 + 23/22 + 7/6
45/43 © 43/39 « 52/45
360/343 : 343/309+ 103/
20/19 + 19/17 - 17/15
Page 47
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Finally, in 4-13, the pyknotic proportions are kept constant at either 1:1
or 1:2 and the Cls are allowed to vary.
These neo-Aristoxenian tetrachords may be approximated in just intonation or realized in equal temperaments whose cardinalities are zero
modulo 12. The zero modulo 12 temperaments provide opportunities to
simulate many of the other genera in the Catalogs as their fourths are only
two cents from 4/3 and other intervals of just intonation are often closely
approximated. One may also use them to discover or invent new neoAristoxenian tetrachords.
To articulate a single part difference, a temperament of 72 tones per
octave is required. The 1/2 parts in the hemiolic chromatic and several
other genera normally demand 144 tones unless all the intervals including
the disjunctive tone have a common factor. In this case, the 48-tone system
suffices. For the 1:2 pykna which employ 1/3 parts, 216-tone temperament
is necessary unless the numbers of parts share common factors. These data
are summarized in 4-14.
4-14. Aristoxenian realizations. Theframework is
the number of “parts” in the two tetrachords and the
disjunctive tone. The corresponding equal
temperament is the sum ofthe parts ofthe
framework, The articulated genera are those that
may be played in the corresponding equal
temperaments. The scheme of 144 parts was used by
Avicenna and Al-Farabi (D'Erlanger 1930).
FRAMEWORK
ET
ARTICULATED GENERA
525
Io 4 Io
15 6 15
12
24
36
Diatonicand syntonic chromatic.
Enbarmonic, syntonic and soft diatonics, syntonic chromatic.
Syntonic diatonic, syntonic and soft chromatics, unnamed.
20 8 20
48
25 10 25
30 12 30
60
72
35 14 35
40 16 40
84
96
45 18 45
so 20 50
55 22 55
60 24 60
90 36 go
108
120
132
144
216
Hemiolic chromatic, soft and syntonic diatonics, syntonic chromatic,
diatonic with hemiolic chromatic dieses. See 24-tone ET.
Syntonic diatonic and chromatic.
AI previous genera except bemiolic chromatic and genera with
hemiolic chromatic dieses (see 24-tone ET).
Syntonic diatonic and chromatic,
Enharmonic, syntonic diatonic, soft diatonic, syntonic and bemiolie
chromatic. See 24-tone ET.
See 36-tone ET.
See 24-tone ET.
See 12-tone ET.
All genera except 1:2 pykna with 1/3 parts.
All genera defined in text,
Chromatic, diatonic with soft chromatic dieses.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GENERA
Page 48
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Semi-tempered tetrachords
The computation of the mean tetrachords also generates a number of genera
containing irrational intervals involving square roots. These tetrachords
contain both tempered intervals as well as at least one in just intonation, the
4/3, and may therefore be called semi-tempered. There also are the semitempered tetrachords resulting froma literal interpretation of the late classical theorists Nichomachos and Thrasyllus (Barbera 1978). The first of
these is Nichomachos’s enharmonic, defined verbally as a ditone with an
equally divided Jima and mathematically as V(2 56/243): V(256/243) -81/64
(45 + 45 + 408 cents). The second is Thrasyllus's chromatic, described
analogously as having a Pythagorean trihernitone or minor third and a whole
tone pyknon. Literally, this genus would be V(9/8) : (9/8) - 32/27 (102 + 102
+ 294 cents), but it is possible that Thrasyllus meant the standard Pythagorean tuning in which the pyknon consists of a limma plus an apotome,
i.e., 256/243 - 2187/2048 -32/27 (90+114+ 294 cents).
Other semi-tempered forms result from Barbera’s assumption that Aristoxenos may have intended that the perfect fourth of ratio 4/3 be divided
4-15. Semi-tempered Aristoxenian tetrachords,
These tetrachords are literal interpretations of
Aristoxenos's genera under Barbera’s assumption
that Aristoxenos meant to divide the perfectfourth of
ratio 4/3 into 30 equal parts.
geometrically into thirty parts. Barbera (1978) offers this literal version of
the enharmonic: 10V(4/3). 19V(4/3) - !°V(65536/6561), or 50+ 50 + 398 cents,
where 65536/6561 is (4/3). It is an easy problem to find analogous interpretations of the remainder of Aristoxenos’s genera. These and a few closely
related genera from 3-1-3 have been tabulated in 4-15.
PARTS
ROOTS
CENTS
3+3+24
4/3 1/10 . 4/3 110 . ars
2. 444422
3 4st qg eet
EIS 5 ns
4/320. 4/33/20, 4/37/10
50 + 50 + 398
66 + 66 + 365
ENHARMONIC
HEMIOLIC CHROMATIC
4.
6+6+18
a” «4/35 «4/335
75 +75 + 349
100 + 100 + 299
INTENSE CHROMATIG
5. 649415
aa . 4/33/10. 4/32
100
+ 149 + 250
SOFT DIATONIC
6.
4139. gl3?!5 «4/325 |
100+ 199 + 199
INTENSE DIATONIC
66 + 232 + 199
DIATONIC WITH SOFT CHROMATIC DIESES
6412412
7. rigen
AUS 43705 «4/35
GENUS
8 45+135+i2
4/3 20. 4/3920, 4/32/5
9.
4+8+18
4732/55 . 43/5 . 4/335
10. 6+3 +21
11. 4.64 3.5422
4/3 «4/310. 473710
75+224+199
66+133 +299
100+ SO + 349
4/320. 4/57/60, 4/3101S 75+58 +365
12. lo+io+io
13. 12+9+9
4/3. 4/313. 4/33
a/325 « 4/33/10. 4733710
166 + 166 + 166
200+ 149 + 149
38
SOFT CHROMATIG
DIATONIC WITH HEMIOLIC CHROMATIC DIESES
UNNAMED
REJECTED
REJECTED
SEMI-TEMPERED EQUABLE DIATONIG
ISLAMIC DIATONIC
CHAPTER 4
Page 49
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Equal divisions of the 4/3
The semi-tempered tetrachords suggest that equally tempered divisions of
the 4/3 would be worth exploring. Such scales would be analogous to the
equal temperaments of the octave except that the interval of equivalence is
the 4/3 rather than the 2/1. Scales of this type are very rare, though they
have been reported to exist in contemporary Greek Orthodox liturgical
music (Xenakis 1971).
A possible ancestor of such scales is the ancient Lesser Perfect System,
which consisted of a chain of the three tetrachords hypaton, meson, and
synemmenon. In theory, all three tetrachords were identical, but this was
not an absolute requirement, and in fact, in Ptolemy’s mixed tunings, they
would not have been the same. (See chapter 6 for the derivations of the
various scales and systems, and chapter 5 for the analysis of their
properties.)
The most interesting equal divisions of the 4/3 resemble the equal
temperaments described in the next section and in 4-14 and 4-17. The
melodic possibilities of these scales should be quite rich, because in those
divisions with more than three degrees to the 4/3 not only can several tetrachordal genera be constructed, but various permutations of these genera
are also possible.
The harmonic properties, however, may be very different from those of
the octave divisions as the 2/1 may not be approximated closely enough for
octave equivalence to be retained. Moreover, depending upon the division,
other intervals such as the 3/2 or 3/1 may or may not be acceptably
consonant,
The equal divisions of the 4/3 which correspond to equal octaval temperaments are described in 4-16. A few supplementary divisions such as the
one of 11 degrees have been added since they reasonably approximate
harmonically important intervals. For reasons of space, only a very limited
number of intervals was examined and tabulated. To gain an adequate understanding of these tunings, the whole gamut should be examined over a
span of at least eight 4/3’s.
Additionally, the nearest approximations to the octave and the
number of degrees per 2/1 are listed. This information allows one to
decide whether the tuning is equivalent to an octave division, or
whether it essentially lacks octave equivalence. Composition in scales
without octave equivalence is a relatively unexplored area, although the
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GENERA
Page 50
View in PDF(opens in a new window)DEGREES PER 4/3
CENTS/DEGREE DEGREES/OCTAVE CENTS/OCTAVE
166.0
4
5
6
OCTAVE DIVISION OTHER CONSONANT INTERVA
7.228
1162.1
70
GOLDEN RATIO (PHI) = 5
124.5
9.638
1245.1
10 (+)
7/1= 27
99.61
12.05
1195.3
12 (—)
5/1= 28
83.01
14.46
1162.1
14)
7/5=7
7
71.16
16.86
1209.5
17 (+)
—
8
62.26
19.27
1182.9
19 (>)
7/1=54
9
55.34
21.68
1217.4
22 (+)
5/3 = 16, 6/1 = 56
10
49.80
24.09
1195.3
24 (-)
3/2 = 14, 5/1 = 56
II
45.28
26.50
1222.5
27 (+)
13
38.31
31.32
1187.6
310)
3/1 = 42, 4/1 = 531 5/2 = 35,
6/1 = 81, 7/1 = 88, 8/1 = 94
14
35-57
33-73
1209.5
34 (+)
7/2 = 61
15
33.20
36.14
1195.3
36 (—)
5/1 = 84, PHI = 25
17
29.30
40.96
1201.2
41 (+)
3/2 = 24, 7/2 = 74
20
24.90
48.19
1195.3
48 (-)
s/ı = 112, 7/4 = 39
22
22.64
53.01
1199.8
53 (-)
3/2 = 31, 5/3 = 39
25
19.92
60.24
1195.3
60 (—)
5/1 = 140, 7/1 = 169
28
17.79
67.46
1191.8
67 (—)
3/1 = 107, 4/1= 135
30
16.605
72.28
1195.3
72 (-)
7/1 = 203, 7/5 = 35
35
14.23
84.33
1195.3
84 (-)
7/4 = 68, 7/5 = 41
40
12.45
96.38
1195.3
96 (-)
6/1 = 249, §/3 = 71
45
11.07
108.4
1195.3
108 (-)
3/1 = 172, 4/1 = 217
50
9.961
120.5
1195.3
120 (-)
3/1 = 191, 4/1 = 241
55
9.055
132.5
1204.4
133 (+)
7/4= 107, PHI = 92, 3/1 = 21
60
8.301
144.6
1203.6
145 (+)
3/1 = 229, 4/1 = 289
go
5.534
216.8
1200.8
217 (+)
3/2 = 127
4-16, Equal divisions ofthe 4/3. These are equal temperaments ofthe 4/3 rather than the 2/1. “Degrees/octave” is the
number ofdegrees ofthe division corresponding to the 2/1 or octave. For many ofthese divisions, the octave no longer
functions
as an interval ofequivalence. “Cents/octave” is the cent value ofthe approximations to the 2/1. “Octave division”
is the closest whole number ofdegrees to the 2/1. (-) indicates that the octave is compressed and less than 1200 cents. (+)
means that it isstretched and larger than 1200 cents. “Consonant intervals” are the degrees in good approximations to the
intervals listed. All divisions ofthe 4/3 have good approximations to the 10/1 as (4/3)? + the skbisma equals 10/1. Divisons
that are multiples of 3 also bave good approximations to the 11/1. 17 is a slightly stretched 41-tone equal temperament. 22
is audibly equivalent to 53-tone equal temperament. 28 is analogous to the division ofthefourth into 28 parts according to
Tiby’s theory ofGreek Orthodox liturgical music (Tiby 1938). 30 is analogous to Aristoxenos’s basic system. 55 is
analogous to 13 2-tone equal temperament. 60 isanalogous to 144-tone equal temperament. 90 is analogous to 2 16-tone
equal temperament, The Golden Ratio or Phi is (1+ 5)/2, approximately 1.618.
CHAPTER 4
Page 51
View in PDF(opens in a new window)composer and theorist Brian McLaren has recently written a number
of pieces in non-octaval scales mostly of his own invention (McLaren,
personal communication, 1991). Xenakis has also mentioned chains of
fifths consisting of tetrachords and disjunctive tones (Xenakis 1971).
These suggest analogous divisions of the 3/2, including both those with
good approximations to the 4/3 and those without. Similarly, there are
divisions in which octave equivalence is retained and those in which it
is not. An example of one with both good fourths and octaves is the
seventh root of 3/2, which corresponds to a moderately stretched 12-
tone equal temperament of the octave (Kolinsky 1959).
Tetrachords in non-zero modulo 12 equal temperaments
Tetrachords may also be defined in non-zero modulo 12 equal temperaments. For some combinations of genus and tuning the melodic and harmonic distortions will be negligible, but for others the mappings may
distort the characteristic melodic shapes unacceptably. As an illustration,
the three primary genera, the enharmonic, the syntonic chromatic, and the
4-17. Tetrachords in non-zero modulo 12 equal
temperaments. These genera are defined in ETs
where the perfectfourth does not equal 2 1/2 “whole
tones.” The framework is the number of “parts” in
the twofourths
and the disjunctive tone. More than
one framework is plausible in some temperaments
without goodfourths or with more than 17 notes.
The corresponding equal temperament ts the sum of
the parts oftheframework, The genera in a generalized, non-specific sense may be approximated in
these equal temperaments, “Diatonic/chromatic”
means that there isno melodic distinction between
these genera. The chromatic pykna in 9-, 10-, and
rr- tone ET consist oftwo small intervals and one
large, while the disjunction may larger or smaller
than the CI. Genera indifferently enharmonic and
chromatic occur around 19 tones per octave and neoAristoxenianforms may be realizable in many ofthe
ETs.
FRAMEWORK
313
3 2 3
4 1 4
4 2 4
4 3 4
535
626
636
727
737
7 4 7 (8 2 8)
8 3
8 4 8
9 3 9, 8 5 8
949
959, 10 3 Io
13 5 13
14 6 14
17 7 17
22 Q 22
41
ET
7
8
IO
II
I3
Iq
I5
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
31
34
41
53
GENERA
DIATONIC/CHROMATIC
DIATONIC/CHROMATIC
CHROMATIC
CHROMATIC
CHROMATIC
DIATONIC, CHROMATIC
DIATONIC, CHROMATIC
DIATONIG, CHROMATIG
DIATONIC, CHROMATIC
DIATONIC, CHROMATIC
DIATONIC, CHROMATIC (ALL THREE)
DIATONIC, CHROMATIC
ALL THREE
ALL THREE
ALL THREE
ALL THREE
ALL THREE
ALL THREE
ALL THREE
ALL THREE
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GENERA
Page 52
View in PDF(opens in a new window)4-18. Augmented and diminished tetrachords.
These tetrachords
are closely related to those in 8-5
and 8-15. For tetrachords with perfectfourths
incorporating the diminishedfourths as intervals, see
the Main and Miscellaneous Catalogs. A few
additional intervals of similar size bave been used as
Cls in 4-1, but not divided due to their complexity.
The last three intervals
are technically diminished
fiftbs, but theyfunction asaugmentedfourths in
certain afthe barmoniai ofchapter 8.
RATIOS
14/11
23/18
32/25
9/7
31/14
22/17
13/10
30/3
17/13
21/16
29/22
31/23
23/17
19/14
15/11
26/19
11/8
40/29
18/13
25/18
32/23
7/5
1024/729
45/32
24/17
17/12
44/31
10/7
CENTS EXAMPLES
418
19/13 13/22. 12/11
424
23/22-11/10- 10/9
427
32/31: 31/30 - 6/5
435
443
446
454
460
464
471
478
18/17-17/16-8/7
31/30-10/9- 9/8
11/10- 10/9 - 18/17
13/12-12/11 - 13/10
15/14: 7/6 : 24/23
17/16. 8/7. 14/13
21/20-10/9-9/8
29/28. 7/6- 12/11
517
31/30. 5/4 - 24/23
523
529
537
543
551
23/22-11/9- 18/17
19/18-6/5-15/14
ıs/ıq- W/6- 12/11
26/15 - s/4- 20/19
II/10-10/9-9/8
557
87. 7/6 - 30/29
563
9/8 - B/7- 14/13
569
5/4-20/19- 19/18
572 _ 16/15 5/4 + 24/23
583
14/13-13/12- 6/5
588
256/243 . 8/7. 7/6
590
16/15 - 10/9 - 6/5
597
6/5-10/9-18/17
603
17/16-8/7- 7/6
606
11/10- 5/4- 32/31
617
10/9-9/8-8/7
diatonic, will be mapped into the 12-, 19-, 22-, and 24-tone equal temperament (ET) below:
ET FOURIH
ENHARMONIC
CHROMATIC
DIATONIC
12 5°
—
1+1+3
I+2+2
Ig 8°
I+1+6
2+2+4
2+3+3
22
9°
1+1+7
24245
I+4+4
24
10°
1+1+8
2+2+6
2+4+4
The enharmonic is not articulated in 12-tone ET, or at least not distinguishable from the chromatic except as a semitonal-major third pentatonic. In 19-tone ET, the soft chromatic is identical to the enharmonic
and the syntonic chromatic is close to a diatonic genus like 125 + 125 + 250
cents. The enharmonic is certainly usable in 22-tone ET but the diatonic
is deformed, with a quarter-tone taking the place of the semitone. These
distortions, however, are mild compared to the 9-tone equal temperament
in which not only are the diatonic and chromatic genera equivalent as 1 +
1 + 2 degrees, but the semitone at two units is larger than the whole tone.
Whether these intervallic transmogrifications are musically useful remains
to be tested.
There are, however, many fascinating musical resources in these non-
12-tone tunings. As Ivor Darreg has pointed out, each of the equal temperaments has its own particular mood which suffuses any scale mapped
into it (Darreg 1975). For this reason the effects resulting from transferring
between tuning systems may be of considerable interest.
Because of the large number of systems to be covered, the mappings of
the primary tetrachordal genera into the non-zero modulo 12 equal temperaments are summarized in 4-17. The tetrachordal framework and primary articulated genera in the equal temperaments of low cardinality or
which are reasonable approximations to just intonation are shown in this
figure.
Augmented and diminished tetrachords
The modified or altered tetrachords found in some of the non-zero modulo
12 equal temperaments of 4-17 suggest that tetrachords based on augmented and diminished fourths might be musically interesting. This supposition has historical and theoretical support. The basic scales (thats) of
some Indian ragas have both augmented and perfect fourths (Sachs 1943),
and the octaval barmoniai of Kathleen Schlesinger contain fourths of di-
CHAPTER 4
Page 53
View in PDF(opens in a new window)magnitudes (Schlesinger 1939; and chapter 8). Wilson has exploited the fact
that any scale generable by a chain of melodic fourths must incorporate
fourths of at least two magnitudes (Wilson 1986; 1987; and chapter 6). His
work implies that scales may be produced from chains of fourths of any
type, but that their sizes and order must be carefully selected to ensure that
the resulting scales are recognizably tetrachordal.
A number of altered fourths are available for experimentation. 4-18 lists
those which commonly arise in conventional theory and in the extended
theory of Schlesinger’s harmoniai described in chapter 8. Scales may be
constructed by combining these tetrachords with each other or with normal
ones and with correspondingly altered disjunctive tones to complete the
octaves. Alternatively, the methods described in chapter 6 to generate
non-heptatonic scales may be employed.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GENERA
Page 54
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Classification, characterization, and
analysis of tetrachords
THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS a complex mixture of topics regarding the description or characterization of tetrachords. Some of the concepts are chiefly
applicable to single tetrachords, while others refer to pairs of tetrachords or
the complete tetrachordal space. The most interesting of the newer methods, those of Rothenberg and Polansky, are most usefully applied to the
scales and scale-like aggregates described in detail in chapter 6. Moreover,
Polansky’s methods may be applied to parameters other than pitch height.
The application of these techniques to tetrachords may serve as an model for
their use in broader areas of experimental intonation.
The first part of the chapter is concerned with the historical approach
to classification and with two analyses based on traditional concepts. These
concepts include classification by the size of the largest, and usually
uppermost, incomposite interval and subclassification by the relative sizes
of the two smallest intervals. A new and somewhat more refined classification scheme based on these historical concepts is proposed at the end
of this section.
These concepts and relationships are displayed graphically in order that
they may become more intuitively understood. A thorough understanding
of the melodic properties of tetrachords is a prerequsite for effective composition with tetrachordally derived scales. Of particular interest are those
tetrachords which lie near the border of two categories. Depending upon
their treatment, they may be perceived as belonging to either the diatonic
or chromatic genera, or, in other cases depending on the CIs, to either the
enharmonic or chromatic. An example is the intense chromatic or soft
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 55
View in PDF(opens in a new window)diatonic types, where the interval near 250 cents may be perceived as either
a large whole tone or a small minor third. This type of ambiguity may be
made compositionally significant in a piece employing many different
tetrachords.
The middle portion of the chapter deals with various types of harmonic
and melodic distance functions between tetrachords having different intervals or intervallic arrangements. Included in this section is a discussion of the
statistical properties of tetrachords, including various means (geometric
mean, harmonic mean, and root mean square; see chapter 4) and statistical
measures of central tendency (mean deviation, standard deviation, and variance). Both tabular and graphical representations are used; the tabular is
useful to produce a feeling for the actual values of the parameters.
These concepts should be helpful in organizing modulations between
various tetrachords and tetrachordal scales. For example, one could cut the
solid figures generated by the various means over the whole tetrachordal
space by various planes at different angles to the axes. The intersections of
the surfaces with the planes or the interiors of the bounded portions of the
figures of intersection define sets of tetrachords. Planes parallel to the bases
define tetrachordal sets with invariant values of the means, and oblique
planes describe sets with limited parametric ranges. Similarly, lines (geodesics) on the surfaces of the statistical measures delineate other tetrachordal sets, These techniques are similar to that employed by Thomas
Miley in his compositions Z-View and Distance Music, in which the inter. sections of spheres and planes defined sets of intervals (Miley 1989).
The distance functions are likewise pertinent both to manual and algorithmic composition, James Tenney has used harmonic and melodic distance functions in Changes: Sixty-four Studiesfor Six Harps, a cycle of pieces
in 11-limit just intonation, Polansky’s morphological metrics are among the
most powerful of the distance functions. Polansky has used morphological
metrics in a number of recent compositions, although he has not yet applied
them to sets of tunings (Polansky, 1991, personal communication). His
compositions employing morphological metrics to date are 17 Simple Melodies of the Same Length (1987), Distance Musics I-VI (1 987), Duet (1989),
Three Studies (1989) and Bedhaya Sadra/Bedhaya Guthrie (1988-1991).
In the absence of any published measurements known to the author of
the perceptual differences between tetrachordal genera and tetrachordal
permutations, the question ofwhich of the distance functions better models
CHAPTER 5
Page 56
View in PDF(opens in a new window)perception is unanswerable. There may be a number of interesting research
problems in the psychology of music in this area.
The chapter concludes with a discussion Rothenberg’s concept of propriety as it applies to tetrachords and heptatonic scales derived from tetrachords. Rothenberg has used propriety and other concepts derived from
his theoretical work on perception in his own compositions, i.e., Inbarmonic
Figurations (Reinhard 1987).
Historical classification
The ancient Greek theorists classified tetrachords into three genera
according to the position of the third note from the bottom. This note was
called lichanos (“indicator”) in the hypaton and meson tetrachords and
paranete in the diezeugmenon, hyperbolaion, and synemmenon tetrachords
(chapter 6). The interval made by this note and the uppermost tone of the
tetrachord may be called the characteristic interval (CI), as its width defines
the genus, though actually it has no historical name. If the lichanos was a
semitone from the lowest note, making the CI a major third with the 4/3,
the genus was termed enharmonic. A lichanos roughly a whole tone from
the 1/1 produced a minor third CI and created a chromatic genus. Finally,
a lichanos a minor third from the bottom and a whole tone from the top
defined a diatonic tetrachord.
The Islamic theorists (e.g., Safiyu-d-Din, 1276; see D’Erlanger 1938)
modified this classification so that it comprised only two main categories
translatable as “soft” and “firm.” (D’Erlanger 1930; 1935) The soft genera
comprised the enharmonic and chromatic, those in which the largest
interval is greater than the sum of the two smaller ones, or equivalently, is
greater than one half of the perfect fourth. The firm genera consisted of the
diatonic, including a subclass of reduplicated forms containing repeated
whole tone intervals. These main genera were further subdivided according
to whether the pykna were linearly divided into approximately equal (1:1)
or unequal (1:2) parts. The 1:1 divisions were termed “weak” and the 1:2
divisions, “strong.”
These theorists added many new tunings to the corpus of known tetrachords and also tabulated the intervallic permutations of the genera. This
led to compendious tables which may or may not have reflected actual
musical practice,
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 57
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Crocker’s tetrachordal comparisons
Richard L. Crocker (1963, 1964, 1966) analyzed the most important of the
ancient Greek tetrachords (see chapters 2 and 3) in terms of the relative
magnitudes of their intervals. Crocker was interested in the relation of the
older Pythagorean tuning to the innovations of Archytas and Aristoxenos.
He stressed the particular emphasis placed on the position of the lichanos
by Archytas who employed 28/27 as the first interval (parhypate to 1/1) in
all three genera. In Pythagorean tuning, the chromatic and diatonic parhypatai are a limma (256/243, 90 cents) above hypate, while the enharmonic division is not certain. The evidence suggests a limmatic pyknon, but
it may not have been consistently divided much prior to the time of
Archytas (Winnington-Ingram 1928).
Archytas’s divisions are in marked contrast to the genera of Aristoxenos,
who allowed both lichanos and parhypate to vary within considerable
ranges. With Archytas the parhypatai are fixed and all the distinction
between the genera is carried by the lichanoi. These relations can be seen
most clearly in 5-1, 5-2, and 5-3. These figures have been redrawn from
those in Crocker (1966).
This type of comparison has been extended to the genera of Didymos,
Eratosthenes and Ptolemy in 5-4, 5-5, and 5-6. The genera of Didymos and
Eratosthenes resemble those of Aristoxenos with their pykna divided in
rough equality.
Ptolemy’s divisions are quite different. For Aristoxenos, Didymos, and
Eratosthenes, the ratio of the intervals of the pyknon are roughly 1:1,
except in the diatonic genera. Ptolemy, however, uses approximately a 2:1
relationship.
Barbera’s rate of change function
C. André Barbera (1978) examined these relations in more detail. He was
especially interested in the relations between the change in the position of
the lichanoi compared to the change in the position of the parhypatai as one
moved from the enharmonic through the chromatic to the diatonic genera.
Accordingly, he defined a function over pairs of genera which compared the
change in the location of the lichanoi to the change in that of the parhypatai. His function is (lichanos; — lichanos:) / (parhypatez — parhypat
e)
where the corresponding notes of two tetrachords are subscripted. This
function is meaningful only when computed on a series of related genera
CHAPTER 5
Page 58
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-1. Archytas’s genera. These genera have a constant 28/27 as theirparhypate.
5-3. Aristoxenos’s genera, expressed in Cleonides’s
o
63
cents,
112
63
498
ENHARMONIC
so
100
204
63
9/8
204
500
3+3+24 PARTS
498
DIATONIC
8/9
28/27
o
5/4
CHROMATIC
243/224
32/27
28/27
(o)
parts rather than ratios. One part equals 16.667
ENHARMONIG
SOFT CHROMATIC
133
67
498
500
4+4+ 22 PARTS
HEMIOLIC CHROMATIG
75
150
4.5 + 4.5 +21 PARTS
500
5-2. Pythagorean genera. These genera are traditionally attributed to Pythagoras, but in fact are of
INTENSE CHROMATIC
100
200
6 +6 + 18 PARTS
500
Babylonian origin (Duchesne-Guillemin 19 63,
1969). The division ofthe enbarmonic pyknon is not
known, but severalplausible tunings are listed in the
Main Catalog.
SOFT DIATONIC
100
250
6 +9 + 15 PARTS
soo
> ?
_——
o
?
ENHARMONIG
Too
81/64
go
INTENSE DIATONIG
50
3
6+12
+12 PARTS
3
co
498
CHROMATIC
256/243 2187/2048
32/27
(o)
90
498
DIATONIC
9/8
256/243
o
204
go
294
9/8
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 59
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-4. Didymos’s genera, Didymos’s chromatic is
probably the mast consonant tuningfor the 6/5
genus. His diatonic differsfrom Ptolemy's only in the
order ofthe 9/8 and 10/9.
5-6, Ptolemy’s genera. Only Ptolemy’s own genera
are shown, Ptolemy's tonic diatonic is the same as
Archytas’s diatonic. His ditone diatonic is the
Pythagorean diatonic,
ENHARMONIC
5/4
32/31 31/30
o
55
112
498
ENHARMONIG
46/45 24/23
CHROMATIC
16/15
25/24
o
112
o
113
183
28/27
SOFT CHROMATIC
15/14
6/5
498
o
10/9
112
63
182
294
498
o
INTENSE CHROMATIC
12/11
7/6
81
232
85
267
5-5. Eratosthenes’s genera. Eratosthenes’s diatonic
16/15
(o)
ENHARMONIC
19/15
9/8
II2
12/11
498
(e
CHROMATIC
e]
19/8
89
498
DIATONIC
9/8
256/243
o
6/5
183
go
294
498
INTENSE DIATONIG
is the same as Ptolemy’s ditone diatonic.
o 44 89
498
SOFT DIATONIC
10/9
8/7
21/20
o
20/19
498
9/8
22/21
40/39 39/38
498
6/5
DIATONIC
16/15
5/4
o 38
9/8
498
50 CHAPTER 5
10/9
316
498
EQUABLE DIATONIC
11/10
10/9
Page 60
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-7. Barbera function applied to Aristoxenos’s and
Ptolemy’s genera.
such as Aristoxenos’s enharmonic and his chromatics or on the corresponding ones of Ptolemy. The extent to which such calculations give
consistent values is a measure of the relatedness of the tetrachordal sets.
SOFT CHR./ENH.
SOFT CHR./ENH.
In 5-7, the results of such calculations are shown. The value for Aristoxenos’s non-diatonic genera is 2.0. Ptolemy’s genera yield values near 3.0,
and the discrepancies are due to his use of superparticular ratios and just
intonation rather than equal temperament. The proportion of the Ptolemaic to the Aristoxenian values is near 1.4.
HEM, CHR./SOFT CHR,
INT. CHR./SOFT CHR.
These facts suggest that both theorists conceived their tetrachords as
INT, CHR./HEM. CHR.
INT. DIA./INT. CHR.
internally related sets, not as isolated tunings. Presumably, the increase
from 2.0 to about 3 of this parameter reflects a change in musical taste in
the nearly soo years elapsed between Aristoxenos and Ptolemy.
5-8. Ratio of lichanos to parbypate in Aristoxenos’s
and Ptolemy’s genera,
2.0
ENHARMONIC ki
ee 2.047
nnn 1.474
messa
2.0
cement 2.880
SOFT CHROMATIC
INTENSE CHROMATIC
i
Both ancient theorists presented additional genera not used in this
computation. Some, such as Aristoxenos’s hemiolic chromatic or Ptolemy’s
equable diatonic, had no counterpart in the other set. Ptolemy’s soft diatonic appears to be only a variation or inflection of his intense (syntonic)
chromatic, His remaining two diatonics, the tonic and ditonic, were of
historical origin and not of his invention. The same is true of Aristoxenos’s
intense diatonic which seems clearly intended to represent the archaic
ditone or Pythagorean diatonic.
A comparison of the corresponding members of these two authors’ sets
of tetrachords by a simpler function is also illuminating. If one plots the
ratio of lichanos to parhypate or, equivalently, the first interval versus the
sum of the first two, it is evident that Aristoxenos preferred an equal division of the pyknon and Ptolemy an unequal 1:2 relation. These preferences
are shown by the data in 5-8, where the lichanos/parhypate ratio is 2.0 for
SOFT DIATONIC
INTENSE DIATONIC
Aristoxenos’s tetrachords and about 3.0 for Ptolemy’s non-diatonic
genera.
HEMIOLIC CHROMATIC
One may wonder whether Ptolemy’s tetrachords are theoretical
innovations or whether they faithfully reflect the music practice of second
TONIC DIATONIC
È
DITONE DIATONIC EE
EQUABLE DIATONIC
X
B ARISTOXENOS
# PTOLEMY
# RATIO (PTOLEMY/ARISTOXENOS)
century Alexandria. The divisions of Didymos and Eratosthenes, authors
who lived between the time of Aristoxenos and Ptolemy, resemble
Aristoxenos’s, and there are strong reasons to assume that Aristoxenos is
a trustworthy authority on the music of his period (chapter 3). The lyra
and kithara scales he reports as being in use by contemporary musicians
would seem to indicate that the unequally divided pyknon was a musical
reality (chapter 6). Ptolemy’s enharmonic does seem to be a speculative
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 61
View in PDF(opens in a new window)construct as the enharmonic genus was extinct by the third century BCE
(Winnington-Ingram 1932). His equable diatonic, however, resembles
modern Islamic scales and certain Greek orthodox liturgical tetrachords
(chapter 3).
These historical studies are important not only for what they reveal
about ancient musical thought but also because they are precedents for
organizing groups of tetrachords into structurally related sets. The use of
5-9. Neo-Aristoxenian classification, a+ b+c = 500
constant or contrasting pyknotic/apyknotic proportions can be musically
cents. This classification is based on the size ofthe
largest or characteristic interval (CD); the equal
division ofthe pyknon (a+b) is only illustrative and
other divisions exist. The byperenbarmonic genera
bave Cls between the major third and thefourth and
pyknotic intervals ofcommatic size. The enbarmonic
genera contain Cls approximating major thirds, The
significant. Modulation of genus (neraßoAe kata yevoo) from diatonic to
chromatic genera rangefrom the soft chromatic to
the soft diatonic ofAristoxenas or the intense
chromatic of ofPtolerry. The diatonic
are all those
genera without pykna, i.e., whose largest interval is
less than 250 cents.
HYPERENHARMONIC
Sto <a+b$ 3/17
234234454 10 37.5+37.5 +425 cents
Bo/79- 79/78-13/10 to 50/49+49/48 32/25
ENHARMONIC
zij <a+bsch
37.5+37.5+425 to 62,5+62.5+375 cents
48/47 47/46-23/18 to 30/29-29/28 56/45
CHROMATIC
d3<at+hse
62.5+62.5+375 fo 125+125+250 cents
29/28 -28/27-36/29 to 15/14: 14/13-52/45
DIATONIG
e<a+bSıc
125+125+250 #0 167+167+167 cents
104/97:97/90- 15/13 to 11/10 11/10: 400/363
chromatic or enharmonic and back was a significant stylistic feature of
ancient music according to the theorists. Several illustrations of this technique are found among the surviving fragments of Greek music (Winnington-Ingram 1936).
Neo-Aristoxenian classification
The large number of new tetrachordal divisions generated by the methods
of chapter 4 indicates a need for new classification tools. A conveniently
simple scheme is the neo-Aristoxenian classification which assumes a tempered fourth of 500 cents and categorizes tetrachords into four classes
according to the sizes of their CIs. For tetrachords in just intonation, the
fourth has 498.045 cents, and the boundaries between categories will be
slightly adjusted. The essential feature of this scheme is the geometrical
approach of chapter three.
Those new genera whose CIs fall between a major third and perfect
fourth may be denoted byperenbarmonic after Ervin Wilson (personal
communication) who first applied it to the 56/55 : 55/54 : 9/7 genus. The
hyperenharmonic Cls range from roughly 450 cents down to 425 cents.
The next class is the enharmonic with Cls ranging from 425 to 375 cents,
a span of 5o cents, The widest division is the chromatic, from 375 cents to
250 cents as it includes CIs whose widths vary from the neutral thirds of
approximately 360-350 cents (16/13, 11/9, 27/22) through the minor and
subminor thirds (6/5, 7/6) to the “half-augmented seconds” (15/13, 52/45)
near 250 cents. Beyond this limit, a pyknon no longer exists and the genera
are diatonic.
This neo-Aristoxenian classification is summarized in 5-9. The limits of
the categories are illustrated with representative tetrachords in just
intonation,
CHAPTER 5
Page 62
View in PDF(opens in a new window)These four main classes may be further subdivided according to the
proportions of the two intervals which divide the pyknon, or apyknon in the
case of the diatonic genera. Because of the large number of possible divisions, it is clearer and easier to display the various subgenera graphically
than to try to name them individually. Thus a number of representative
5-10. Plot of characteristic intervals versus
tetrachords from the Main Catalog have been plotted in 5-10-12 to illustrate the most important types.
In 5-10, the first interval, as defined by the position of the note parhypate,
parbypatai. The four notes of the illustrative meson
has been plotted against the characteristic interval. For most of the histetrachord in ascending order ofpitch are hypate,
torical tetrachords of chapters 2 and 3, this is equivalent to plotting the
parkypate, lichanos, and mese. The CI is the interval
between lichanos and mese.
smallest versus the largest intervals or the first against the third. The
exceptions, of course, are Archytas’s enharmonic and diatonic and Didymos’s chromatic.
5-11 shows the position of the third note, lichanos, graphed against the
second, parhypate. This is equivalent to comparing the size of the whole
pyknon (or apyknon) to its first interval. This particular display recalls the
Greek classification by the position of the lichanoi and the differentiation
into shades or chroai by the position of the parhypatai.
The first interval is plotted against the second in 5-12. In this graph,
5-11. Plot oflichanoi versus parbypatai.
5-12. First intervalplotted against second intervals
ofmajor tetrachordal genera. The tetrachords plotted
here are 50 + 50 + 400, 100 + 100 + 300, 100 +150
however, all of the permutations of this set of typical tetrachords are also
+250, 100 +200 + 200, and 166.67 + 166.67 +
plotted. This type of plot reveals the inequality of intervallic size between
166.67 cents in all oftheir intervallic permutations.
The permutations ofthe soft diatonic genus delineate
genera and distinguishes between permutations when the tetrachords are
not in the standard Greek ascending order of smallest, medium, and
the region ofRothenberg-proper diatonic scales.
large.
5-10.
5-11.
400 -
5-12.
400 »
HYPERENHARMONIC
1
ENHARMONIC
d
SOFT DIATONIC
È
INTENSE DIATONIG
INTENSE CHROMATIC
4
ENHARMONIG
.
CHROMATIC
4
400
DIATONIG
x 4
w
oO
<
5= 4
a
DIATONIC
'
mn
100
PARHYPATE
200
EQUAL DIATONIC
4
CHROMATIC
ENHARMONIC
HYPERENHARMONIC
T
100
PARHYPATE
53
2Q
à
“
1
200
Oo
TT
a
T
T
1
200
FIRST INTERVAL
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 63
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Intervallic inequality functions
More quantitative measures of intervallic inequality are seen in 5-13. The
first measure is the ratio of the logarithms of the largest interval to that of
the smallest. In practice, cents or logarithms to any base may be used, This
5-13. Intervallic inequalityfunctions onjust and
tempered tetrachords.
ratio measures the extremes of intervallic inequality. The second measure
is the ratio of the largest to the middle-sized interval. For tetrachords with
reduplicated intervals, i.e., 256/243 - 9/8 - 9/8 or 16/15 - 16/15 : 75/64, the
CI/MIN CI/MID MID/MIN
RATIOS
HYPERENHARMONIC
56/55 - 55/54 - 9/7
middle-sized interval is the reduplicated one, and this function is equal to
one of the other two functions. The third measure is the ratio of the mid-
13.95 13-70 1.018
dle-sized interval to the smallest. This function often indicates the relative
ENHARMONIC
28/27 : 36/35 - 5/4
7.921 66.136 1.291
32/31 + 31/30 + 5/4
7.028 6.805 1.033
sizes of the two intervals of the pyknon and distinguishes subgenera with
46/45 + 24/23+5/4
10.15 5.243 1.936
CHROMATIC
20/19 » 19/18 - 6/5
3.554 3.372
18/27 + 15/14 6/5
5.013 2.642
26/25 -25/24-16/13 5.294 5.086
39/38 - 19/18 + 16/13 7.994 3.840
24/23 + 23/22 11/9 4.715 4.514
34/33 «18/17 11/9
6.722 3511
16/15 - 15/14» 7/6
2.389 2.234
22/21 + 12/11 < 7/6
3.314 1.772
1.054
1.897
1.041
2.081
1.044
1.915
1.069
1.870
DIATONIC
14/13 - 13/12 - 8/7
1.802
21/20 + 10/9 - 8/7
2.737
28/27. 9/8 - 8/7
3.672
16/15 : 10/9 + 9/8
1.825
256/243 :9/8:9/8
2.260
1.668
1.267
1.133
1.118
1.000
1.080
2.159
3.239
1.633
2.260
12/11 + II/10:10/9
1IOS
1.095
1.211
TEMPERED TETRACHORDS
50 + 50 + 400
8.00 8.00
66.67 + 133.33 + 300
4.50 2.25
TOO + 100 + 300
300 3.00
100 + 150 + 250
2.50 1.67
109 + 200 + 200
2,00 1.00
166.67 + 166.67 + 166.67 1.00 1.00
1.00
2.00
I.00
1,50
2,00
1.00
the same CI,
These functions measure the degree of inequality of the three intervals
and may be defined for tetrachords in equal temperament as well as in just
intonation. All of these functions are invariant under permutation of
intervallic order.
Harmonic complexity functions
In addition to being classified by intervallic size, tetrachords may also be
characterized by their harmonic properties. Although harmony in the sense
of chords and chordal sequences is discussed in detail in chapter 7, it is
appropriate in this chapter to discuss the harmonic properties of the tetrachordal intervals in terms of the prime numbers which define them.
The simplest harmonic function which may be defined on a tetrachord
or over a set of tetrachords is the largest prime function. The value of this
function is that of the largest prime number greater than 2 in the numerators or denominators of three ratios defining the tetrachord. The tetrachord (or any other set of intervals) is said to have an #-limit or be an n-limit
construct when 7 is the largest prime number in the defining ratio(s),
irrespective of its exponent and the exponent’s sign. :
One limitation of the n-limit function is that it uses only a small part of
the information in the tetrachordal intervals. As a result, numerous genera
with different melodic properties have the same #-limit. However, this
one-dimensional descriptor is often used by composers of music in just
intonation (David Doty, personal communication). For example, the following diverse set of tetrachords all contain 5 as their largest prime number:
25/24 + 128/125 - 5/4, 256/243 - 81/80 - 5/4, 16/15 + 25/24 : 6/5, 256/243 :
54 CHAPTER 5
Page 64
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-14. Harmonic complexity and simplicityfunctions on tetrachords injust intonation, (1) Cl complexity: the sum ofthe primefactors ofthe largest
interval. (2) Pyknotic complexity: thejoint complexity ofthe two intervals ofthe pyknon. (3) Average
complexity: the arithmetic mean ofthe Cl andpyknotic complexities. (4) Total complexity: thejoint
complexity ofthe entire tetrachord. (5, Harmonic
simplicity: x over the sum ofthe primefactors greater
than 2 ofthe ratio defining the CI. It bas been normalized by dividing by 0.2, as the maximum value of
the unscaledfunction is 0,2, corresponding to 5/4
whose Wilson's complexity is 5.
RATIOS
1
2
3
4
5
HYPERENHARMONIC
56/55-55/54-9/7
13 32
22.5 32 3846
ENHARMONIC
28/27-36/35:5/4
32/31 - 31/30: 5/4
5
5
21
39
13
22
21 1.000
39 1.000
46/45-24/23:5/4
5
34 19.5 34 1.000
CHROMATIC
20/19-19/18-6/5
8
30 19
28/27-15/14:6/5
8
21 14.5
26/25-25/24:16/13 13 26 19.5
39/38-19/18-16/13 13 38 25.5
30
21
26
38
.6250
.6250
.3846
.3846
40
2941
24/23:13/21-11/0
17
34/33-18/17-11/0
17 34 25.5 34 -2941
37
27
16/15:15/14:7/6
22/21-12/11:7/6
10 15
10 21
12.5
15.5
15 .5000
2I .5000
DIATONIG
14/13-13/12-8/7
7 23 IS
23
21/20: 10/9-8/7
7
18 12.5 18
28/27-9/8.8/7
7
16 11.5 16
16/15 -10/9-9/8
6 11 85
11
256/243-9/8.9/8 6
15 ros 15
12/11-11/10+10/0 I II IO IS
22
7143
7143
.7143
8333
8333
4545
135/128 - 6/5, 16/15 : 75/64 : 16/15, 10/9 + 10/9 : 27/25, and 16/15 : 9/8 -
10/9. Similarly, all the Pythagorean tunings in the Catalog are at the
3-limit.
The second limitation of the largest prime number function when
applied to the whole tetrachord is that it does does not distinguish between
intervals which may be of differing harmonic importance to the composer.
Primary distinctions between genera are determined by the sizes of their
characteristic intervals. Genera with similarly sized CIs may have quite
different musical effects due to the different degrees of consonance of these
intervals. Similar effects are seen with the pyknotic intervals as well, particularly those due to the first interval which combines with mese or the
added note, hyperhypate, to form an interval characteristic of the oldest
Greek styles (Winnington-Ingram 1936 and chapter 6). In these cases, the
largest prime function must be applied to the individual intervals and not
just to the tetrachord as a whole.
For these reasons, other indices of harmonic complexity have been
developed which utilize more of the information latent in the tetrachordal
intervals. These indices have been computed on a representative set of
tetrachords and their component intervals, The first of the indices is
Wilson’s complexity function which for single intervals may be defined as the
sum of their prime factors (greater than 2) times the absolute values of their
exponents. For example, the complexities of 3/2 and 4/3 are both 3 and
those of 6/5 and 5/3 are both 8 (3 + 5). Similarly, the intervals 9/7 and
14/9 both have complexities of 13 (3 + 3 + 7). The complexities of the Cls
of some important genera are tabulated in 5-14.
Wilson’s complexity function may also be applied to sets of intervals by
finding the modified least common multiple of the prime factors (with all
the exponents made positive). The pyknon of Archytas’s enharmonic consists of the intervals 28/27 and 36/35. The first ratio may be expressed as
7 + 33 and the second as 3? + 5 + 7. The modified least common multiple of
this set is 33 - 5 - 7 and the Wilson’s complexity is 21 (3 + 3 + 3 + 5 +7). The
average complexity, which is the arithmetic mean of the complexities of the
CI and the pyknon, and the total complexity, which is the joint complexity
of all three intervals, are also shown in 5-14. In most cases the latter index
equals the pyknotic complexity.
An alternative index which may be more convenient in some cases is the
harmonic simplicity, which is the reciprocal of the complexity. This function
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 65
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-15. Euclidean distances between genera injust
intonation. The upper set ofnumbers is the distance
may be normalized, as it is in 5-14, by dividing its values by 5, which is the
maximum simplicity of a CI or tetrachord (because 5/4 is the simplest
interval smaller than 4/3).
calculated on the largest versus the smallest intervals
ofthe tetrachords. The lower set iscomputedfrom the
first
and second intervals. The Euclidean distance is
the square root
of the sum of the squares
of the
Euclidean distances between tetrachords
differences between corresponding intervals, Values
The methods described in chapter 4 and in the compilations of the historical
art in cents,
authors provide many tetrachords with diverse melodic characteristics. To
bring some order to these resources, some measure of the perceptual distance between different genera or between different permutations of the
same genus is desirable. While a useful measure of the distance between
5-16. Euclidean distances between temperedgenera.
genera may be obtained from the differences between the characteristic
The 1:2 chromatic
is the “strong”
form corresponding to the intense chromatic ofAristoxenas.
The equal diatonic is 166.67 + 166.67 + 166.67
intervals, this measure does not distinguish between the subgenera (i.e, the
cents.
the Euclidean distances between genera on a plot of the CI versus the
28/27 -15/14+ 6/5
28/27 - 36/35 « 5/4
72.09
70.67
28/27 - 15/14 6/5
1:1 and 1:2 divisions of the pyknon). A more precise measure is afforded by
25/24-16/15+6/5
73-99
22/21-12/t1+ 7/5
123.59
16/15:9/8.10/9
192.96
103.37
162.62
145.59
7.71
10,91
51.84
35.81
121.91
97.54
159.50
98.81
49.76
40.14
119.04
100.91
155.39
96.09
70.26
61.73
109.77
71.56
22/21 - 12/11 - 7/6
16/15 + 9/8: 10/9
44.45
55-02
1:2 CHROMATIC
È CHROMATIC
7 + 133 + 300)
INTENSE CHROMATIC
227.94
63.43
25/24: 16/15 :6/5
ENHARMONIC
(50 + 50 + 400)
12/11 - 11/10. 10/9
101.36
84.89
INTENSE CHROMATIC SOFT DIATONIC
INTENSE DIATONIC EQUAL DIATONIG
111.80
70,71
158.11
111.80
206.16
158.11
260.8
164.00
33-33
60.09
105.41
166.67
47.14
37.27
(zoo + 100 + 300)
74.54
50.0
100.0
50.0
100.0
SOFT DIATONIC
(100+ 150 + 250)
(o)
200
INTENSE DIATONIC
(roa + 200 + 200)
105.41
149.07
94.28
pu
;
74:54
CHAPTER 5
Page 66
View in PDF(opens in a new window)smallest interval or of the first versus the second interval.
The distances are calculated according to the Pythagorean relation: the
distance is defined as the square root of the sum of the squares of the dif-
5-17. Euctidean distances between permutations of
Archytas’s enharmonic genus. Thefunction tabulated is the distance calculated on the plot ofthefirst
by the second interval ofthe tetrachord, The other
distancefunction, computedfrom the graph ofthe
ferences of the coordinates. The Euclidean distance is Y[(CH — CH)? + (parhypate2-—paryhypate:)] in the first case and V[(frst interval, -first interval)?
greatest versus the least interval, is always zero
+ (second interval» _ second interval1)?] in the second. It is convenient to
convert the ratios into cents for these calculations. The distances between
berween permutations ofthe same genus.
some representative tetrachords in just intonation are tabulated in 5-15 and
some in equal temperament with similar melodic contours in 5-16.
One may also use the second Euclidean distance function to distinguish
between permutations of tetrachords as shown in 5-17 and 5-18.
5-18. Euclidean distances between permutations of
tempered genera.
28/17: 5/4- 36/35
28/27 - 36/35 + 5/4
337.54
28/27 : 5/4: 36/35
36/35 « 5/4 - 28/27
36/35-28/27.5/4
5/4 28/27 - 36/35 5/4: 36/35 28/27
337-84
20.07
323.66
323.35
14.19
323.66
323.55
457.29
467.43
337.54
467.43
155.39
337.84
14.19
36/35 + 5/4« 28/27
36/35+ 28/27 - 5/4
5/4: 28/27 : 36/35
ENHARMONIC
50 + 50 + 400
50 + 400 + 50
350.0
50 + 400 + 50
INTENSE CHROMATIC]
100 + 100 + 300
494.97
100 + 300 + 100
200.0
100 + 300 + 100
200 + 100+ 200
100 + 200 + 200
141.42
100 + 100 + 200
100+ 150+ 250
100
+ 250 + 150
150+ 100
+ 250
300 + 100 + 100
200.0
282.84
INTENSE DIATONIC
SOFT DIATONIG
400 + 50 + 50
350.0
200 +200 + 100
100.0
100.0
100+ 250+ 150
100.0
150+ 100+ 250
70.71
158.11
150
+ 250 + 100
250+ 100+ 150
150+ 250+ 100
11181
250
+ 100 + 150
158.11
250+ 150+ 100
150.0
50.0
212.13
180.28
150.0
100.0
180.28
111.80
141,42
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 67
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Minkowskian distances between tetrachords
The closely related Minkowski metric or city block distance function is shown
in 5-19 and 5-20 for the same sets of tetrachords. The two functions shown
here are defined as the sum of the absolute values of the differences between
corresponding intervals. For the upper set of numbers, the function is (1 CI:
— Cl + | parhypate2 —paryhypate; |) and for the lower set, (| first interval; ~
first interval; | + {second interval, — second interval; |). These computations
5-19. Minkowski
or “city block” distances between
have also been done in cents throughout for ease of comparison.
The distances between permutations may also be compared by means
genera injust intonation.
of the second distance function (5-21 and 5-22).
28/27 15/14 6/5
28/27 + 36/35 « 5/4
84.86
70.67
28/29: 15/14 + 6/5
25/24-16/15-6/5
22/2r-12/11-7/6
16/15-9/8-10/g
12/11 - T1/t0- 10/9
92.57
70.67
151.21
119.44
245.36
203.91
305.78
203.91
7.71
66.35
160.50
220.91
15.42
48.77
133.24
133.24
58.64
152.79
213.20
48.77
133-24
133.24
94.16
109.77
84.47
84.47
25/24 16/15 : 6/5
22/21: 12/11 - 7/6
77.81
16/15: 9/8. 10/9
60.41
3-20. Minkowski or “city block” distances between tempered genera.
I:2 CHROMATIC
ENHARMONIC
(50 + 50 + 400)
1:2 CHROMATIC
(67 + 133 + 300)
116.67
100.0
INTENSE CHROMATIC SOFT DIATONIC
INTENSE DIATONIC EQUAL DIATONIC
150.0
100.0
200.0
150.0
250.0
200.0
350.0
233.33
33.33
66.67
83.33
50.0
133.33
100.0
233.33
200.0
INTENSE CHROMATIC
50.0
100.0
200.0
(100 + 100 + 300)
50.0
100.0
133.33
SOFT DIATONIC
50.0
150.
(100
+ 150
+ 250)
50,0
83.33
INTENSE DIATONIC
100.0
(100 + 200 + 200)
CHAPTER 5
Page 68
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-21. Minkowski or “city block” distances between permutations of
Archytas’s enbarmonic genus.
28/27 - 5/4: 36/35
28/27+ 36/35 « 5/4
36/35 + 5/4: 28/27
337-54
28/27 - 15/14 + 6/5
36/35-28/27-5/4
5/4-28/27-36/35
3/4 - 36/35 28/27
351.73
28.38
337.54
323.35
14.19
337.54
646.71
660.90
323.35
660.90
675.09
337.54
351.73
14.19
25/24 - 16/15 : 6/5
22/21 12/11. 7/6
16/15 + 9/8 - 10/9
5-22. Minkowski or “city block” distances between
permutations of tempered genera.
ENHARMONIC
50 + 400 + 50
go + 50 + 400
350.0
100 + 250 + 150
400 + 50 + 50
350.0
700.0
INTENSE CHROMATIC
IOO + 300 + 100
300 + 100 + 100
100 + 100 + 300
100 + 300 + 100
200.0
200.0
INTENSE DIATONIG
200 + 100 + 200
200 +200 + 100
100 + 200 + 200
200.0
100.0
400.0
200 + 100 + 200
100.0
SOFT DIATONIC
100 + 250+
150
150 + 100 + 250
150 +250 + 100
250+100+150
250+I50+1I00
100+ 150+ 250
100.0
100.0
200.0
150.0
50.0
200.0
300.0
150.0
250.0
150.0
100.0
250.0
150.0
200.0
50.0
100
+ 250+ 150
150+ 100
+ 250
150
+ 250 + 100
250+ 100
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 69
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-23. Tenney pitch and harmonic distance funcions
on the intervals of tetrachords in just intonation.
Tenney’s pitch and harmonic distance functions
The composer James Tenney has developed two functions to compare
intervals (Tenney 1984), and has used these functions in composition,
SMALL
56/55 - 55/54 9/7
.0078
28/27» 36/35 - 5/4
.0122
3.100
32/31 - 31/30 + 5/4
„0138
2.997
.0096
46/45 » 24/13: 5/4
3-489
3.156
particularly in Changes: Sixty-four Studies for Six Harps. The first function
is the pitch-distance function defined as the base-2 logarithm of a/b where
a and bare the numerator and denominator respectively of the interval in
an extended just intonation. This function is equivalent to Ellis’s cents
which are 1200 times the base-2 logarithm. The second function is his
harmonic distance, defined as the logarithm of 4 - b. This distance function
is a special use of the Minkowski metric in a tonal space where the units
along each of the axes are the logarithms of prime numbers. Thus the pitch
distance of the interval 9/7 is log (9/7) and the harmonic distance is 2 - log
20/19: 19/18. 6/5
0223
2.580
28/29. 15/14 - 6/5
„0158
2.878
26/25: 25/24: 16/13
«0170
distances for each of the three intervals. This has been done for the set of
representative tetrachords in 5-23. The upper set of numbers is the pitch
(3) + log (7).
These functions may be used to characterize tetrachords by computing
2.813
distances; the lower, the harmonic distances. Alternatively, one could also
39/38 - 19/18. 16/13
.0113
3.171
apply it to the notes of the tetrachord after fixing the tonic and calculating
the notes from the successive intervals.
24/23: 23/22. 11/9
0185
2.742
By a slight extension of the definition, the pitch distance function may
34/33» 18/17: 11/9
.0130
3.050
also be applied to tempered intervals. The pitch distance is the tempered
interval expressed as a logarithm. For intervals expressed in cents, the
16/15: 15/14 - 7/6
.0280
2.380
formula is pitch distance = cents / 1200 log (2); other logarithmic measures
could be used. This function will be most interesting for intervals which
22/11: 12/11. 7/6
.0202
2.664
tance function is not well defined for tempered intervals unless they closely
14/13: 13/12. 8/7
„0322
approximate just intervals.
2.260
21/20: 10/9 - 8/7
.0212
2.623
28/27 - 9/8. 8/7
1.580
2.879
16/15: 10/9 : 9/8
‚0280
2.380
256/243 + 9/8. 9/8
0226
4-794
.0378
2.121
12/11 «11/10 + 10/9
are close approximations to those in just intonation. The harmonic dis-
The Tenney functions also may be used to measure the distance between
tetrachords. The pitch distance between the Cls of two genera is the logarithm of the quotient of their ratios; i.e., the pitch distance between 5/4,
the CI of the enharmonic, and 6/5, the CI of the intense chromatic, is the
logarithm of 25/24. The harmonic distance is the logarithm of 3/2, the
product of 5/4 and 6/5.
The pitch distance and harmonic distance functions on the CIs distinguish genera quite well, though obviously not permutations of the genera. The Tenney distance functions between representative set of
tetrachords in just intonation are shown in 5-24. One could also apply the
CHAPTER 5
Page 70
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Tenney distance functions on the pyknotic intervals to distinguish subgenera with the same CI,
The distances between tetrachords in equal temperament may also be
measured by the Tenney functions. The pitch distance of the Cls is simply
the difference in cents or tempered degrees, The harmonic distance is the
sum of the CIs. Data on representative tempered tetrachords are shown
in 5-25.
5-24. Tenney pitch and harmonic distances between genera in just intonation.
28/27 - 36/35 - 5/4
28/27 15/14 6/5
26/24:16/15- 6/5
22/21 12/11 7/6
16/15-9/8-10/9
.0177
„1761
‚0177
„1761
10270
„1638
0458
1481
0512
1427
0.0
‚1584
.0122
„1461
.0280
1303
.0334
.1249
.0122
«1461
.0280
„1303
«0334
„1249
.0158
.1181
0212
„II2I
28/27 - 15/14 + 6/5
25/24- 16/15 + 6/5
22/21 - 12/11 «7/6
16/15 - 9/8. 10/9
12/11- 11/10 - 10/9
.0054
.0969
5-25. Tenney pitch and harmonic distances between tempered genera.
I:2 CHROMATIC
ENHARMONIC
50 + 50 + 400
1:2 CHROMATIC
67 + £33 + 300
100.0
700.0
INTENSE CHROMATIC SOFT DIATONIC
INTENSE DIATONIC
EQUAL DIATONIC
100.0
700.0
150.0
650.0
200.0
600.0
233.33
566.67
0.0
600.0
50.0
550,0
100.0
500.0
133.33
466.67
50.0
550.0
100.0
500.0
133.33
466.67
50.0
450.0
83.33
416.67
INTENSE CHROMATIC
100 + 100 + 300
SOFT DIATONIC
100 + 150 + 250
INTENSE DIATONIC
100+ 200+ 200
33-33
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 71
View in PDF(opens in a new window)factor of 2 - E(4cf), where hef is the highest common factor, must be subtracted from the denominator of the formula.
5-27. Barlow's specific barmonicityfunction on
tetrachords and tetrachordal scales. The specific
barmonicityfunction is the square ofthe number of
tones in the scale divided by sum ofthe reciprocals of
the harmonicities ofthe combinatorial intervals
(Barlow 1987) without regard to sign. For the
tetrachord, the number oftones is 4, n° = 16, and
there are six combinatorial intervals (see 5-28). The
specific harmonicity ofthe Dorian mode is defined as
above save that n = 8 (including the octave), n° = 64,
and there are 28 intervals (n + (n-1)/2).
Barlow’s harmonicity function is applied to set of tetrachords in just
intonation in 5-26. The harmonicities of the three intervals are computed
separately. The harmonicity of 4/3 is the constant —0.2143. The harmonicities of the pykna are also included to complete the characterization
of the tetrachords.
In the case of the general tetrachord 4 - 5 + c, where c= 4/346, there are four
ratios, 1/1, 4,4 - b, and 4/3. Then: (n — 1)/2 = 6 combinatorial intervals are
a, ab, 4/3, b, 4/3a, and 4/3ab. For example, Archytas’s enharmonic, 28/27 36/35 - 5/4, yields the tones 1/1, 28/27, 16/15, and 4/3. The combinatorial
intervals are 28/27, 16/15, 4/3, 36/35, 9/7, and 5/4 the six non-redundant
differences between the four tones of the tetrachord. The definition of
RATIOS
TETRACHORD
DORIAN
these intervals for equally tempered tetrachords is shown as the Polansky
set in 5-48. In just intonation, the sums and differences become products
I.
56/55: 55/54 - 9/7
„1063 0973
and quotients and the zero and soo cents are replaced by 1/1 and 4/3
2.
3.
28/27: 36/35 5/4
32/31: 31/30 - 5/4
„1859
0724
4.
46/45-24/23: 5/4
‚0885 0815
5.
6.
9.
8
9.
10.
It,
12.
13.
20/19 19/18 - 6/5
28/27-15/14: 6/5
26/25 25/24: 16/13
39/38. 19/18. 16/13
24/23. 23/22. 11/9
34/33: 18/17 - 11/9
16/15: 15/14: 7/6
22/21-12/11
7/6
14/13: 13/12 : 8/7
.1042
.1911
„1062
‚0719
0767
.0848
„2170
„1375
.1247
.0677
respectively.
For scales and other sets of ratios, Barlow defined a third function,
termed specific harmonicity. The specific harmonicity of a set of ratios is the
square of the number of tones divided by the sum of the absolute values of
the reciprocals of the harmonicities of the combinatorial intervals (Barlow
1987). For the tetrachord, 7 = 4 and n? = 16. The specific harmonicities are
.0698
presented in 5-27-29 for various sets of tetrachords.
.0807
„1879
„1274
„1143
14.
21/20: 10/9 - 8/7
.1739
„1627
15.
16.
17.
28/27-9/8- 8/7
16/15 10/9 + 9/8
256/243 - 9/8 - 9/8
„2101
2658
.2212
Similarly, the specific harmonicities of scales generated from tetrachords
may be computed. In the case of heptatonic scales, there are eight tones
including the octave (2/1) and 28 combinatorial relations, which are defined
analogously to the six of the tetrachord. The specific harmonicities of the
same set of tetrachords as in 5-26 are given in 5-27. The specific har-
2363
18.
12/11. II/10- 10/9
„1609
19.
20.
11/10: 11/10:400/363
16/15-25/24: 6/5
.0829
2374
„1633
‚0660
„0946
„1721
0998
„1885
„2025
1437
0797
.2133
monicities of both the tetrachords and a representative heptatonic scale are
included in this table.
The Dorian mode was selected for simplicity, but other scales could have
been used as well (see chapter 6 for a detailed discussion of scale construction
from tetrachords). It is the scale composed of an ascending tetrachord, a
9/8 tone, and an identical tetrachord which completes the octave. Abstractly,
the tones are 1/1 a ab 4/3 3/2 34/2 3ab/2 2/1, where a. b. 4/3ab is the generalized tetrachord in just intonation. The set of combinatorial intervals is a,
ab, 4/3, 3/2, 34/2, 3ab/2, 2/1, b, 4/34, 3/24, 3/2, 30/2, 2/a, 4/3ab, 3/24b, 3/26,
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 72
View in PDF(opens in a new window)3/2, 2/ab, 9/8, 04/8, gab/8, 3/2, a, ab, 4/3, b, 4/34, 4/3ab. The repeated
5-28. Barlow's specificharmonicityfunction on the
permutations of Ptolemy's intense diatonic genus.
An Pw ym
RATIOS
TETRACHORD
16/15 + 9/8 - 10/9
16/15 : 10/9 : 9/8
9/8. 10/9 - 16/15
9/8 : 16/15 : 10/9
10/9+ 16/15 : 9/8
10/9 + 9/8 - 16/15
DORIAN
2794
2567
„2658
„2658
„2586
„2586
2794
„2363
2535
„2407
2398
2486
intervals are a consequence of the modular structure of tetrachordal scales.
As can be seen from 5-27, the specific harmonicity function distinguishes
different tetrachords and their derived scales quite well. 5-28 shows the
results of an attempt to use this function to distinguish permutations of
tetrachords from each other. Although the specific harmonicity function
does not differentiate between intervallic retrogrades (4 - b- cversusc-b. 4)
of single tetrachords, it is quite effective when applied to the corresponding
heptatonic scales.
Finally, since the specific harmonicity function is basically a theoretical
measure of consonance, it would be interesting to use it to determine the
most consonant tunings or shades (chroai) of the various genera. Accordingly, a number of tetrachords whose intervals had relatively “digestible”
prime factors were examined. The results are tabulated in 5-29. It is clear
that while the diatonic genera are generally more consonant than chromatic and they in turn are more harmonious than the enharmonic, there is
considerable overlap between genera and permutations.
In particular, the most consonant chromatic genera are more consonant
than many of the diatonic tunings.
5-29. The most consonant genera according to Barlow’s specific barmonicityfunction.
RATIOS
TETRACHORD
DORIAN
IA.
IB.
2A.
2B.
3A.
38.
ENHARMONIG
256/243 - 81/80 5/4 .1878
5/4-81/80.256/243
.1878
28/27 36/35 5/44
.1859
5/4 - 36/35 - 28/27
„1859
25/24 128/125 - 5/4
.1806
5/4 128/125 «25/24
.1806
IA.
16/15 - 25/24 : 6/5
2374
.2133
6/5 + 25/24 + 16/15
16/15: 75/64 - 16/15
34. 10/9 - 81/80 - 32/27
38. 32/27-81/80. 10/9
25/24 27/25-32/27
2374
.2317
.2290
.2290
.1926
«2145
„2008
„2046
„2035
1745
‚1669
‚1715
„1633
„1667
.1550
.1556
CHROMATIC
IB.
Ga. 9/8 - 64/63
: 7/69
63, 7/6: 64/63 : 9/8
7A. 10/9 + 36/35 + 7/6
73. 7/6: 36/35 - 10/9
.2137
2137
.2032
.2032
.1937
.1903
„1783
1797
IA.
1B,
24.
28,
34,
38.
4A.
43.
5.
DIATONIC
9/8 + 28/27 : 8/7
2176
8/7. 28/27 - 9/8
.2176
10/9 : 21/20: 8/7
.2104
8/7: 21/20: 10/0
.2104
16/15 - 9/8 - 10/9
.2794
10/9 + 9/8 - 16/15
2794
256/243 : 9/8 - 9/8
„2212
0/8-9/8- 256/243
„2212
10/9. 27/25 : 10/9
2251
„2027
.I914
.1888
„1856
.2567
2486
„2025
„2105
CHAPTER 5
Page 73
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Euler’s gradus suavitatis function
A function somewhat similar to Wilson’s, Tenney’s, and Barlow’s functions
is Euler's gradus suavitatis (GS) or degree of harmoniousness, consonance,
or pleasantness (Euler 1739 [1960]; Helmholtz [1877] 1954). Like the other
functions, the GS is defined on the prime factors of ratios, scales, or chords.
Unlike Barlow’s functions, the GS is very easy to compute. The GS of
a prime number or of the ratio of a prime number relative to 1 is the prime
number itself, i.e, the GS of 3/1 is 3. The GS of a composite number is the
sum of the GSs of the prime factors minus one less than the number of
factors. The GS of a ratio is found by first converting it to a section of the
harmonic series and then computing the least common multiple of the
terms, The GS of the least common multiple is the GS of the ratio.
Sets of ratios such as chords and scales may be converted to sections of
the harmonic series by multiplying each element by the lowest common
denominator. For example, the harmonic series form of the major triad
5-30. Euler's gradus suavitatisfunction on tetrachords injust intonation, (1) isa byperenbarmonic
genus, (2)-(4) are enbarmonic, (5)-(12) and (20)
are chromatic, and (13)-(19) are diatonic. The tetrachords are in their standard form with the small
intervals at the base and the largest interval at the
top. See 5-32 and 5-33 for other permutations ofthe
tetrachord.
I.
2.
3
4.
5.
RATIOS
56/55. 55/54 : 9/7
28/27. 36/35 « 5/4
32/31. 31/30 - 5/4
46/45 24/23 + 5/4
20/19. 19/18 - 6/5
INTERVAL A
24
I5
36
32
25
INTERVAL B
22
17
38
28
24
CI
II
7
7
7
8
PYKNON
15 (28/27)
11 (16/15)
11 (16/15)
ı1 (16/15)
10 (10/9)
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
II.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
28/27- 15/14 + 6/5
15
14
8
10 (10/9)
26/25-25/24: 16/13
39/38-19/18. 16/13
24/23: 23/22: 11/9
34/33 - 18/17 - 11/9
16/15: 15/14 7/6
22/21 + 12/11 7/6
14/13: 13/12 + 8/7
21/20 10/9 - 8/7
28/27-9/8- 8/7
16/15: 10/9 : 9/8
256/243 -9/8 - 9/8
22
34
28
30
II
20
20
15
15
II
19
14
24
34
22
14
15
17
10
8
Io
8
17
17
15
15
10
10
Io
Io
10
8
8
17 (13/12)
17 (13/12)
15 (12/11)
15 (12/1)
10 (8/7)
10 (8/7)
10 (7/6)
10 (7/6)
10 (7/6)
12 (32/27)
12 (32/27)
18.
12/11 - 11/10 - 10/9
15
16
10
8 (6/5)
19.
11/10-11/10:400/363
16
16
35
31 (121/100)
20.
16/15 + 25/24 - 6/5
11
14
8
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 74
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-31. Euler's gradus suavitatisfunction on tetrachords and tetrachordal scales. (1) is a byperenharmonic genus, (2)-(4) are enbarmonic, (5)(12) and (20) are chromatic, and (13)-(19) are diatonic. The harmonic
series representation of the
Dorian mode of 16/15 - 9/8 - 10/9 is 30:32:3 6:40:
45:48:54:60. Its least common multiple is 4320 and
is
GS is 16.
1/1 5/4 3/2 is 4:5:6. The least common multiple of this series is 60 and the
GS of the major scale thus is 9.
The GSs of the component intervals of the usual set of tetrachords are
shown in 5-30. The GS of 1/1 is 1 and that of 4/3 is 5. In 5-31, the GSs
of both the tetrachords and the Dorian mode generated from each tetrachord are tabulated. The GSs of the Dorian mode are 3 more than the GSs
of the corresponding tetrachords, reflecting the structure of the mode
which has the identical series of intervals repeated at the perfect fifth.
The GS seems not to be particularly useful for distinguishing perRATIOS
TETRACHORD
1.
56/55-55/54-9/7
30
2.
3
28/27-36/35: 5/4
32/31. 31/30. 5/4
21
42
4.
46/45-24/23: 5/4
35
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
zo.
20/19+ 19/18. 6/5
28/27-15/14: 6/5
26/25 +25/24- 16/13
39/38-19/18. 16/13
24/23 : 23/22» 11/9
34/33: 18/17: 11/9
16/15: 15/14. 7/6
22/21-12/11: 7/6
14/13:13/12-8/7
21/20: 10/9 + 8/7
28/27: 9/8 -8/7
16/15 + 10/9+9/8
256/243 : 9/8 - 9/8
12/11-11/10: 10/9
11/10. 11/10:400/363
16/15 25/24: 6/5
29
19
27
39
40
33
17
22
24
19
16
16
19
21
35
17
DORIAN
33
24
45
38
32
22
30
42
43
36
20
25
27
23
19
19
22
24
38
20
mutations of tetrachords, as evidenced by 5-32. It is noteworthy that the
most harmonious arrangements of Ptolemy’s intense diatonic are those
which generate the major and natural minor modes (see the section on
tritriadic scales in chapter 7).
As with Barlow’s functions, the GS ranks the enharmonic the least harmonious of the major genera, though the most consonant tunings and
arrangement overlap with those of the chromatic (5-33). Similarly, the most
harmonious chromatic tunings approach those of the diatonic.
Interestingly, however, the most harmonious enharmonic tuning is
28/27 « 5/4 - 36/35 and its retrograde which have the largest interval medially. The same is true for the chromatic 16/15 - 6/5 - 25/24. Of the diatonic
forms, the two arrangements of Ptolemy’s intense diatonic with the 9/8
medial are the most consonant.
Although the GS is an interesting and potentially useful function, it does
have one weakness. Because the ratios defining small deviations from
ideally consonant intervals contain either large primes or large composites,
the GS of slightly mistuned consonances can become arbitrarily large.
Thus the GS would predict slightly mistuned consonances to be extremely
dissonant, a prediction not consistent with observation.
5-32. Euler's gradus suavitarisfunction on the
permutations of Ptolemy's intense diatonic genus.
(1) is the prime form. (2) is the order given by
Didymos.
I.
2.
3
4.
5.
6.
RATIOS
TETRACHORD
16/15 +9/8 + 10/9
13
16/15-10/9- 9/8
16
9/8-10/9- 16/15
16
9/8-16/15- 10/9
16
10/9. 16/15 : 9/8
16
10/9. 9/8. 16/15
13
66
CHAPTER 5
DORIAN
16
19
19
Page 75
View in PDF(opens in a new window)RATIOS
TETRACHORD DORIAN
ENHARMONIC
5 5243 on do” 5/4
23
26
This failure, however, is a feature shared by the other simple theories of
consonance based upon the prime factorization of intervals. Helmholtz’s
beat theory (Helmholtz [1877] 1954) and the semi-empirical “critical band”
n
7 Bi, ° a és
i tT
24
theories of Plomp and Levelt (1965) and Kameoka and Kuriyagawa (19692,
se.
M
24
22
1969b) avoid predicting infinite dissonance for mistuned consonances, but
ja
.
36/35:bi 28/27:
s/4
25/24: 128/125 « 5/4
2
25
are more complex and difficult to use. The prime factor theories are ade-
14.
CHROMATIC
16/15 + 25/24. 6/5
17
20
IB.
25/24: 16/15
: 6/5
18
21
ie.
16/15 6/5 > 25/24
16
19
Statistical measures on tetrachordal space
«Le
.
>
‘
.
.
quate for theoretical work and for choosing between ideally tuned musical
structures.
so.
2.
16/15- 75/64 - 16/15
17
20
The concepts of the degree of intervallic inequality and of the perceptual
34.
38.
10/9: 81/80. 32/27
32/27-81/80: 10/9
18
18
21
21
differences between tetrachords may be clarified by computing some of the
4a.
25/24
27/25 + 32/27
20
23
48.
32/27: 27/25: 25/24
20
33
ga.
16/15-15/14- 7/6
17
20
sn.
6a.
16/15-7/6:15/14
9/8 - 64/63 : 7/6
19
19
22
22
standard statistical measures on a set of representative tetrachords. The
arithmetic mean of the three intervals is 500/3 or 166.667 cents in equal
temperament or 3V(4/3) in just intonation. The mean deviation, standard
deviation, and variance are calculated according to the usual formulae for
entire populations with x = 3. These data are shown in 5-34 for some rep-
68.
64/63 - 9/8 - 7/6
7a. 10/9:
7/6
lo 36/35
116. «36155
17
18
i
20
resentative tetrachords in just intonation and in 5-35 for a corresponding
set
Be
107970
?
3983
21ni
in qequalmperament.
temperaent. While e not
notdistinguishi
t ons, thesethese fun funcdistinguishing permutations,
tions differentiate between genera quite well, although the degree to which
7e.
36/35: 10/0- 7/6
20
23
IA.
OrATONIG
9/8. 28/27 + 8/7
18
21
19
ratic mean) may be calculated in a similar fashion. Like the other statistical
in.
8/7-9/8-28/27
16
.
|
.
.
the mathematical differences correlate with the perceptual is not known.
The
CE
geometric
mean, harmonic mean, and root mean square (or quadmeans
.
na
|
q
q .
24.
10/9: 21/20: 8/7
18
21
measures above, these are non-linear functions of the relative sizes of the
28.
21/20:10/9:8/7
19
22
intervals and they have considerable ability to discriminate between the
34
38.
16/15 9/8. 10/9
10/9: 9/8 - 16/15
13
13
16
16
various genera. The relevant data are shown in 5-36 and 5-37.
Several properties of these functions are apparent: for a given degree of
9%?
intervallic asymmetry, the root mean square will show the greatest value,
dA.
5.
256/243 9/8 9/8
10/9: 27/25: 10/9
17
20
5-33. The most consonant genera according to Euler’s gradus suavitatisfunction. These
ratios are the most consonant permutations ofthe most consonant tunings ofeach ofthe genera. In cases where the most consonant permutation according to Barlow'sfunctions is different from the one(s) according to Euler’s, both are given. The gradus suavitatis ofa set of
ratios is the GS oftheir least common multiple after the set has been transformed into a harmonic series.
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 76
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-34. Mean deviations, standard deviations, and
variances ofthe intervals oftetracbords injust intonation. The arithmetic mean bas the constant value
166.67 cents (500/3) for all genera. In just intonation its value isthe cube root of 4/3. The standard
deviation and variance are computed with n=3.
5-35. Mean deviations, standard deviations, and
variances ofthe intervals oftempered tetrachords.
28/27 + 36/35 - 5/4
28/27: 15/14 6/5
25/14: 16/15 - 6/5
22/21 + 12/11. 7/6
16/15 : 9/8 - 10/9
12/11: 11/10+ 10/9
ENHARMONIC
(50 + 50 +400)
1:2 CHROMATIC
5-36. Geometric mean, harmonic mean, and root
root of'a-b-(500 —a —b); the harmonic mean is 3/2
(1/i), where 1/i = 1/2, 1/b, and 1/(500 -a-b); the
root mean square is N(E(?)/3), where i? = a2, b?,
(soo-a-b)2.
28/27: 36/35 + 5/4
28/27. 15/14: 6/5
25/24: 16/15 - 6/5
22/21 - 12/11: 7/6
16/15 + 9/8: 10/9
12/11. 11/10+ 10/9
ENHARMONIC
5-37. Geometric mean, barmonic mean, and root
mean square of tempered tetrachords.
STANDARD DEV.
VARIANCE
146.87
99.75
99.75
67.24
36.19
10.93
155.88
108.29
107.12
76.84
39.38
12.99
24299.31
11725.73
11474.97
5904.95
1550.44
168.70
MEAN DEV.
STANDARD DEV.
VARIANCE
155.56
164.99
27222.22
88.89
98.13
9629.62
88.89
94.28
8888.89
55.56
62.36
3888.89
44.44
47-14
2222.22
0.0
0.0
0.0
(67 + 133 + 300)
INTENSE CHROMATIC
(100 + 100 + 300)
SOFT DIATONIC
(zoo + 150 + 250)
INTENSE DIATONIG
(100 + 200 + 200)
EQUAL DIATONIC
mean square ofthe intervals oftetrachords injust
intonation. For n = 3, the geometric mean is the cube
MEAN DEV.
GEOMETRIC
HARMONIC
RMS
105.86
133.40
135.58
147.90
160.77
165.51
76.97
109.40
114.21
131.57
155.15
165.01
227.73
198.21
197.58
182.94
170.62
166.52
GEOMETRIC
HARMONIC
RMS
100.0
70.59
234.52
138.79
116.38
193.41
144.23
128.57
191.41
155.36
145.16
177.95
158.74
150.0
173.21
166.67
166.67
166.67
(50 + 50 + 400)
1:2 CHROMATIC
(67 + 133 + 300)
INTENSE CHROMATIC
(100 + 100 + 300)
SOFT DIATONIC
(100 + 150 + 250)
INTENSE DIATONIG
(100 + 200 + 200)
EQUAL DIATONIG
68 CHAPTER 5
Page 77
View in PDF(opens in a new window)the geometric the next, and the harmonic the least, except for the arithmetic mean, which is insensitive to this parameter.
The set of all possible tetrachords instead of just representative examples
or selected pairs may be studied by computing these standard statistical
measures over the whole of tetrachordal space. This space may be defined
by magnitudes of the first and second intervals (parhypate to hypate and
lichanos to parhypate) as the third interval (mese to lichanos) is completely
determined by the values of the first two.
This idea may be made clearer by plotting a simple linear function such
as the third tetrachordal interval itself versus the first and second intervals.
The third interval may be defined as soo — x — y, where x is the lowest
interval and y the second lowest. The domain of this function is defined by
the inequalities o $ x S 500 cents, o £ y S 500 cents, and x + y S 500 cents.
5-38 depicts the “third interval function” from two angles. Its values range
from o to 500 cents.
The arithmetic, geometric, harmonic, and root mean square functions
5-38. The third intervalfunction, seen frontally and
obliquely. The three intervals are parbypate to
hypate, lichanos to parhypate, and mese to lichanos.
They always sum 500 cents (3/2 injust intonation).
are shown in 5-39 through 5-41. The arithmetic mean is a plane of constant
height at 166.667 cents for all values of the three intervals. The geometric
and harmonic means have dome and arch shapes respectively, while the
root mean square somewhat resembles the roof of a pagoda. The shapes of
these latter means may be clearer in the contour plots in the lower portions
of the figures.
One may conclude that the arithmetic mean obscures the apparent distance between genera, the geometric mean reveals it, the harmonic mean
maximizes it, and the root mean square exaggerates it. This conclusion is
illustrated in 5-43 where a cross-section through the plot is made where the
second interval has the value 166.667 cents and the first interval varies from
THIRD INTERVAL
THIRD INTERVAL
SECOND INTERVAL
FIRST INTERVAL
SECOND INTERVAL
FIRST INTERVAL
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 78
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-39. Arithmetic mean ofthe three tetrachordal
intervals. The arithmetic mean bas the constant
value of 166.67 cents. The domain ofthisfunction is
the xand
y axes (0 <x< 500), (0 <y < 500), andthe
© to 333.333 cents, The means are all equal when all three intervals of the
tetrachord are 166.667 cents.
The analogous representation is applied to the mean deviation, standard
deviation, and variance, which are shown in 5-44-46. The variance has
liney
= 500 —x, where xand y are the first and
been divided by roo so that it may be plotted on the same scale as the other
second intervals ofthe tetrachord. The third interval
may also approach zero,
statistical functions.
These functions have a minimum value of zero when all three intervals
of the tetrachord are 166.667 cents each. This is seen most clearly in the
cross-section plot of 5-47.
ARITHMETIC MEAN
Based on its properties with respect to the four means and three statistical measures, the equally tempered division of the fourth appears to be
a most interesting genus. Itis the point where the three means are equal and
where the statistical functions have their minima.
FIRST INTERVAL
SECOND INTERVAL
5-40. Geometric mean ofthe three tetrachordal
intervals,
5-41. Harmonic mean of the three tetrachordal
intervals.
GEOMETRIC MEAN
HARMONIC MEAN
5-42. Root mean square of the three terrachordal intervals,
ROOT MEAN SQUARE
RER N
GENOA
ij if
dé
ge
in
fl
f
(it
FIRST INTERVAL
SECOND INTERVAL
SECOND INTERVAL
500
FIRST INTERVAL
SECOND INTERVAL
500
500
î
È
SECOND INTERVAL
È
A
2
8
8
a
FIRST INTERVAL
FIRST INTERVAL
u
©
500
FIRST INTERVAL
70
CHAPTER 5
FIRST INTERVAL
Page 79
View in PDF(opens in a new window)three tetrrachordal intervals when the second
5-47. Cross-section ofthe mean deviation, standard
deviation, and variance ofthe three tetrachordal
interval equals 166.67 cents.
intervals when the second interval equals 166.67
5-43. Cross-sections ofthe various means ofthe
cents,
300
|
200
VARIANCE/100
STAND. DEV.
RMS
ARITHMETIC
|
4
MEAN DEV.
GEOMETRIC
HARMONIC
400
Ô
300
FIRST INTERVAL
FIRST INTERVAL
5-44. Mean deviation ofthe three tetrachordal
5-45. Standard deviations ofthe three tetra-
5-46. Variance ofthe three tetrachordal
intervals.
chordal intervals,
intervals.
MEAN DEVIATION
STANDARD DEVIATION
te DIG
tte
A
CH
ra
FIRST INTERVAL
SECOND INTERVAL
500
FIRST INTERVAL
SECOND INTERVAL
FIRST INTERVAL
SECOND INTERVAL
FIRST INTERVAL
SECOND INTERVAL
SECOND INTERVAL
di
o
500
SECOND INTERVAL
500
N
o
FIRST INTERVAL
71
FIRST INTERVAL
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 80
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Polansky’s morphological metrics
A more sophisticated approach with potentially greater power to discriminate between musical structures has been taken by Larry Polansky
(1987b). While designed to handle larger and more abstract sets of ele5-48. Interval sets ofthe abstract tetrachord, o a
atb soo. Injust intonation the abstract tetrachord
may be written 1/1 a ab 4/3 ora a atb 498 cents,
and the intervals adjusted accordingly.
ments than tetrachords, i.e., the type of scale and scale-like aggregates
discussed in chapters 6 and 7, and even sets of timbral, temporal, or
rhythmic information, Polansky’s morphological metrics may be applied to
smaller formations as well.
Morphological metrics are distance functions computed on the notes or
intervals between the notes of an ordered musical structure. A morphological metric is termed linear or combinatorial according to the number
SUCCESSIVE INTERVALS
4
ath
b
500
500-4-bh
POLANSKY SET
a
ath
ath
b
500
mum combinatorial length for a morphology of length L is the binomial
coefficient (L?-L)/2, notated as Ly.
.
The simplest of Polansky’s metrics is the ordered linear absolute mag-
DIFFERENCE SET
a+b
b
soo-a-b
b-a
500-a26
500
— 3h
relationships between component parts. A strictly linear interval set as well
as two of the possible combinatorial interval sets derived from an abstract,
generalized tetrachord are shown in 5-48. For a strictly linear interval set
of a morphology (or scale) of length L, there are L - 1 intervals. The maxigoo
500 — 4
500-a—b
a
of elements or intervals used in the computations: the more intervals or
elements used in the computation, the more combinatorial the metric. In
other words, combinatorial metrics tend to take into account more of the
nitude (OLAM) metric which is the average of the absolute value of dif500
ferences between corresponding members of two tetrachords. In the case
of two tetrachords spanning perfect fourths of 500 cents, this function reduces to the sum of the absolute values of the differences between the two
parhypatai and the two lichanoi divided by four. Given two tetrachords a;
+b1+ 500-41—-h1 and a2 +b2+ 500-42—b2, the equation is:
L
x | e1j_e2; | IL,
ind
where L = 4 and én;= (0, #1, 41 + bi, 500) cents and (0, 42, 42 + b2, 500) cents.
When not divided by L, this metric is identical to the Minkowski or “city
block” metric previously discussed. Note that the OLAM metric does not
take intervals into account, so it looks at L rather than L ~ 1 values.
A simpler formula, ( laa ai | and |a2+b, - a; —b; | }/ 2, would be defensible in this context as zero and 500 cents are constant for all tetrachords
of this type. If the tetrachords are built above different tonics or their
CHAPTER 5
Page 81
View in PDF(opens in a new window)fourths spanned different magnitudes, i.e., 500 and 498 or 583, etc., the
first equation must be used.
The next simplest applicable metric is the ordered linear intervallic
magnitude (OLIM) metric which is the average of the absolute values of the
difference between the three intervals which define the tetrachords. In the
case of the two tetrachords above, the intervals are 41,51, 500—a@; ~4; and 47,
bz, 500-42-b;, The equation for this metric function is:
L
5-49. Ordered linear absolute magnitude (upper)
| E( | C1;-1j-] | |e2,~e2;_,1)| /(L-1), L-1 =3,
and ordered linear intervallic magnitude (lower)
metrics
on tetrachords injust intonation.
i2
where i ranges from 2 through L, since intervals are being computed.
In 5-49, these two simple metrics are applied to a group of representative
tetrachords in just intonation. The melodically similar tempered cases are
5-50. Ordered linear absolute magnitude (upper)
shown in 5-50, Permutations of genera are analyzed in 5-51 and 5-52. The
and ordered linear intervallic magnitude (lower)
OLAM metric distinguishes between these genera quite well; the OLIM
metrics on tempered genera.
less so, but patterns are suggested which data on a larger set of tetrachords
28/27-15/14-6/5
28/27: 36/35 - 5/4
25/24-16/15:6/5
z22/21-12/11-+7/6
16/15-9/8-10/g
17.67
19.60
34-25
63.17
72.90
47-11
47-11
79.63
135.94
135.94
1.93
5.14
16.59
32.51
45.50
88.83
55.23
88.83
14.66
32.51
43-57
88.83
53.30
88.83
28.92
5631
38.64
56.31
28/27: 15/14 + 6/5
25/24: 16/15 - 6/5
22/21 - 12/11 + 7/6
16/15 : 9/8 - 10/9
9.73
25-94
1:2 CHROMATIC
ENHARMONIG
(50 + 50 + 400)
1:2 CHROMATIC
(67 + 133 + 300)
12/11
- x1/10 + 10/9
29.17
66.67
INTENSE CHROMATIC
SOFT DIATONIC
INTENSE DIATONIG
EQUAL DIATONIC
37-50
66.67
50.0
100,0
62.50
133.33
87.50
155.56
8.33
22.22
20.83
33-33
33.33
66.67
58.33
88.89
8.333
33-33
25.0
66.67
50.0
88.89
12.50
33-33
37.50
55.56
INTENSE CHROMATIC
(100+ 100+ 300)
SOFT DIATONIC
(100+ 150
+ 250)
INTENSE DIATONIC
(100 + 200 + 200)
25.0
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 82
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-51. Ordered linear absolute magnitude (upper) and ordered linear intervallic magnitude
(lower) metrics onArchytas’s enbarmonic genus.
28/27 -5/4+36/35
28/27 : 36/35 « 5/4
84.39
225.03
28/27 + 5/4 + 36/35
36/5: 5/4+ 28/27
36/35 28/27 5/4
5/4 + 28/27-36/35
5/4. 36/35 - 28/27
84.39
225.03
3.55
9.46
165.22
225.03
161.68
215,57
7.10
9.46
87.93
225.03
80.83
215.57
84.38
225.03
80.83
215.57
87.93
225.03
84.39
225.03
225.03
225.03
165.22
225.03
36/35 « 5/4: 28/27
36/35 28/27. 5/4
5/4 + 28/27 + 36/35
3-55
9.46
5-52. Ordered linear absolute magnitude (upper) and ordered linear intervallic magnitude
(lower) metrics on permuted tempered tetrachords.
ENHARMONIG
50 + 400 + 50
400 + 50 + 50
50+ 50 + 400
87.50
2333
175.0
233.3
87.50
233.3
300 + 100 + 100
50 + 400 + 50
INTENSE CHROMATIC | IOO + 300 + IOO
100 + 100 + 300
50.0
133.3
100 + 300 + 100
INTENSE DIATONIC | 200 +100+ 200
100 + 200 + 200
25.0
66.67
200 + 100 + 200
SOFT DIATONIC
100 + 150 + 250
100 + 250 + 150
150 + 100 + 250
100.0
133.3
50.0
133.3
200 + 200 + 100
50.0
66.67
25.0
66.67
100
+ 250 + 150
25.0
66.67
150+ 100
+ 250
150
+ 250 + IOO
250 + 100 + 150
250 + 150 + 100
12.50
33-33
50.0
100.0
62.50
100.0
75.0
100.0
37-50
100.0
25.0
33-33
37-50
100.0
50.0
100.0
37-50
100.0
50.0
66.67
62.50
100.0
37.50
100.0
25.0
66.67
12.50
150 +250+ 100
250
74 CHAPTER 5
Page 83
View in PDF(opens in a new window)may reveal, In particular, the OLIM metric fails to distinguish between
permutations of tempered tetrachords,
In theory, morphological metrics on combinatorial interval sets have
greater discriminatory power than metrics on linear sets. Two sets of
combinatorial intervals were derived from the simple successive intervals
of 5-48. The first set, the Polansky set, is that described by Polansky
(1987b). The second set, the difference set, was constructed from iterated
differences of differences (Polansky, personal correspondence).
The ordered combinatorial intervallic magnitude (OCIM) metric is the
average of the absolute value of the differences between corresponding
elements of the musical structure. Its definition is:
Lel Lj
EE lAlersen;aj) Alea 02:44) |/ Im,
ful im
where L,, = the number of intervals in the set (the binomial coefficient,
described above). To apply it to other combinatorial interval sets, it must
be appropriately modified to something like:
L
E |Zo) \/ Ln
im?
where In; are the elements of a set like the difference set of 5-48.
As can be seen in 5-53 and 5-54, the OCIM metric calculated on the two
sets of intervals from these tetrachords discriminates between genera very
well. Both sets of intervals are roughly equivalent with this metric.
Permutations are studied in 5-55 and 5-56, On neither interval set does
the OCIM metric distinguish permutations completely.
5-53. Ordered combinatorial intervallic magnitude
metric on the Polansky (upper) and difference (lower)
interval setsfrom tetrachords injust intonation.
28/27. 15/14 > 6/5
28/27. 36/35 : 5/4
28/27 - 15/14 :6/5
35.34
94.23
25/24 16/15 6/5
22/21 12/11 9/6
16/15-9/8-10/g
ra2/rr- 11/10: 10/9
36.62
86.52
62.65
141.68
110.08
223.11
116.57
184.20
3.86
27.31
47.45
74.75
128.88
81.23
104.01
10,28
26.03
25/24 - 16/15 «6/5
55.16
22/21- 12/11: 7/6
16/15: 9/8. 10/9
15.36
79-94
136.59
106.58
47-43
81.43
53-92
61.10
19.45
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 84
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-54. Ordered combinatorial intervallic magnitude metric on the Polansky (upper) and
difference (lower) interval setsfrom tempered tetrachords.
1:2 CHROMATIC
ENHARMONIC
(50 + 50 + 400)
52.78
116.67
1:2 CHROMATIC
(67 + 133 + 300)
INTENSE CHROMATIC
SOFT DIATONIC
INTENSE DIATONIC
EQUAL DIATONIC
58.33
83.33
83.33
150.0
108.33
216.67
136.11
194.44
16.67
44.44
30.56
38.89
55.56
100.0
83.33
100.0
25.0
66.67
50.0
136.33
77-78
III.II
25.0
66.67
52.78
61.11
INTENSE CHROMATIC
(100+ 100+ 300)
SOFT DIATONIC
(100
+ 150 + 250)
INTENSE DIATONIC
(100 + 200 + 200)
38.39
55.56
5-55. Ordered combinatorial intervallic magnitude metric on Polansky (upper) and
difference (lower) interval sets on permutations of Archytas’s enbarmanic genus.
28/27 + 36/35 - 5/4
28/27 + 5/4 - 36/35
28/27 + 5/4+36/35
36/35:5/4-28/27
168.77
450.06
168.77
450.06
36/35-28/27-5/4
7.10
18.92
sig 28/27- 36/35
222.66
229.76
5/4: 36/35 + 28/27
215,57
215.57
9.46
171.14
161.68
168.77
9.46
435.87
431.14
450.06
161.68
171.14
168.77
431.14
435.87
450.06
225.03
225.03
222.66
229.76
36/35 : 5/4 28/27
36/35 + 28/27 5/4
5/4 28/27 - 36/35
7.10
CHAPTER 5
Page 85
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-56. Ordered combinatorial intervallic magnitude metric on the Polansky (upper) and
difference (lower) interval setsfrom permuted tempered tetrachords.
ENHARMONIC
50 + 50 + 400
50 + 400 + 50
400 + 50 + 50
175.0
233.33
466.67
233.33
50 + 400
+ 50
175.0
466.67
INTENSE CHROMATIC | 100 + 300 + 100
300 + 100 + 100
100+ 100
+ 300
133.33
133.33
100.0
266.67
100 + 300 + 100
100.0
266.67
INTENSE DIATONIC
200 + I00 + 200
100 + 200 + 200
50.0
133.33
200 + 100 + 200
SOFT DIATONIC
100+ 150 +250
100 +250 + 150
200 + 200 + 100
66.67
66.67
50.0
133.33
100+ 250+ 150
150 + 100 + 250
150+ 250+ 100
250+ 100
+ 150
250 +150 +100
50.0
25.0
83.33
91.67
100.0
133.33
66.67
150,0
116,67
100.0
75.0
200.0
33.33
33.33
75.0
200,0
83.33
150.0
75.0
200.0
66.67
66.67
91.67
116.67
75.0
200.0
50.0
133.33
150+ 100
+ 250
150 + 250 + IOO
250 + 100 + 150
25.0
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRAGHORDS
Page 86
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Unordered counterparts of the ordered metrics are also defined. Although the unordered linear absolute or intervallic magnitude metrics are
of little use in this context, the unordered combinatorial intervallic magnitude (UCIM) metric is rather interesting when computed on these two
interval sets,
For the Polansky interval set, the metric is:
LI Lj
Lel Lj
|E XA (€1;,€1;4)/Lm-£ EA(ez, 024)!
Lm |, Lm=
6.
jal inl
jal inl
This function is the absolute value of the difference between the averages of the corresponding intervals. For the difference set, the formula
becomes:
L
L
ind
im
| E (1j)/Ly-E(b;)/Lm|,Lm=6,
where the I,; are the elements of the set.
5-57 and 5-58 show the data for the same group of tetrachords as before.
Genera are fairly well discriminated by this metric, especially when calculated on the Polansky interval set, but not as well with the difference set
intervals, Neither are particularly successful for distinguishing permutations with this metric (5-59 and 5-60).
5-57. Unordered combinatorial intervallic magnitude metric on the Polansky (upper) and
difference (lower) interval setsfrom tetrachords injust intonation.
28/27 15/14 6/5
28/27 + 36/35 « 5/4
28/27 + 15/14 + 6/5
11.78
47.11
25/2441 6/15 + 6/5
10.49
44:54
1.29
2.57
25/24: 16/15 - 6/5
22/21 -12/11:7/6
16,98
25.86
19.37
119.68
106.71
5.20
26.65
14.08
72.57
7.59
59.60
6.48
15.36
8.88
29.23
75.14
62.17
16/15 + 9/8 - 10/9
1
nen
12/11-11/10- 10/9
73.77
22/21 - 12/11 + 7/6
78
16/15:9/8- 10/9
CHAPTER 5
8.88
2.39
45-91
Page 87
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-58. Unordered combinatorial intervallic magnitude metric on the Polansky (upper) and
difference (lower) interval setsfrom tempered tetrachords.
1:2 CHROMATIC
ENHARMONIG
50+50+400
13.889
61.11
INTENSE CHROMATIC
8.333
50.0
SOFT DIATONIC
16.67
83.33
INTENSE DIATONIC
25.0
116.67
EQUAL DIATONIC
19.44
116.67
1:2 CHROMATIC
5.556
2.778
II.II
5.556
67+133 + 300
11.11
22.22
55.56
55.56
8.333
33-33
16.67
66.67
II.II
66.67
INTENSE CHROMATIC
100 + 100 + 300
SOFT DIATONIC
8.333
100
+ 150 + 250
33-33
INTENSE DIATONIC
100 + 200 + 200
2.778
33-33
5.556
0.0
5-59. Unordered combinatorial intervallic magnitude metric on Polansky (upper) and
difference (lower) interval sets on permutations ofArchytas’s enharmonic genus.
28/27. 5/4-36/35
28/27 : 36/35 - 5/4
28/27 + 5/4+ 36/35
56.26
225.03
36/35 5/4: 28/27
56.26
220.30
0,0
4.73
36/35 28/27 5/4
36/35 + 28/27: 5/4
3/4: 36/35 - 28/27
2.36
2.36
0.0
4-73
53.89
117.24
53.89
107.78
56.26
220.30
36/35 « 5/4 + 28/27
5/4: 28/27-36/35
107.78
117.24
53.89
53.89
56.26
215.57
103.05
112.51
0,0
112.51
222,66
103.05
2.36
9.46
5/4+ 28/27 - 36/35
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 88
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-60. Unordered combinatorial intervallic magnitude metric on the Polansky (upper)
and difference (lower) interval sets from permuted tempered tetrachords,
ENHARMONIC
50+ 50 + 400
50 + 400 + 50
58.33
233-33
50 + 400+ 50
100 + 200 + 200
33-33
0.0
66,67
33-33
66.67
200 + 100 + 200
16.67
33-33
200 + 100+ 200
SOFT DIATONIC
100
+ 150 +250
100 +250+ 150
300 + 100 + 100
133.33
100+ 300+ 100
INTENSE DIATONIC
0.0
116.67
58.33
116.67
INTENSE CHROMATIC | 100 + 300 + 100
100 + 106 + 300
400 + 50 + 50
100
+ 250 + 150
16.67
66.67
200 + 200 + 100
0.0
33-33
16.67
66.67
150 + 100 + 250
150
+ 250 + 100
250+ 100+ I50
250
+ 150 + 100
8.333
16.67
16.67
83.33
8.333
16.67
0.0
50.0
25.0
83.33
0.0
16.67
25.0
50.0
16.67
16.67
25.0
100.0
0.0
33.33
8.333
66.67
25,0
66.67
16.67
33-33
150+ 100
+ 250
150 +250 + IOO
250+ 100
+ 150
8.333
CHAPTER 5
Page 89
View in PDF(opens in a new window)In addition to absolute and intervallic metrics, directional metrics are
also defined. Directional metrics measure only the contours of musical
structures, i.e., whether the differences between successive elements are
positive, negative or zero. Although these metrics are perhaps the most
interesting of all, they are generally inapplicable to tetrachords because
tetrachords are sets of four monotonically increasing pitches whose dif5-61. Ordered (upper) and unordered (lower)
ferences are always positive (or negative if the tetrachord is presented in
“fore ocean ta date mes on
Ifference sets from tetrachoras tn just intonation.
J
descending order). Directional metrics, however, are very applicable to
:
melodies constructed from the notes of tetrachords or from tetrachordally
derived scales such as those of chapter 6.
The intervals of the tetrachordal difference set, however, are not
necessarily monotonic and therefore combinatorial directional metrics
may be computed on these intervals. Two such metrics were calculated
for the same set of tetrachords and permutations used above, the ordered
5-62. Ordered (upper) and unordered (lower)
combinatorial interval direction metrics on
difference setsfrom tempered genera.
28/27 + 36/35 : 5/4
28/27 15/14:6/5
25/24. 16/15: 6/$
1667
3333
1667
3333
0.0
0.0
28/27. 15/14
+ 6/5
25/24: 16/15 : 6/5
22/21+ 12/11 7/6
16/15-9/8. 10/9
12/11: 11/10 - 10/9
„1667
3333
0.0
0.0
„5000
3333
-3333
.6667
„1667
3333
0.0
0,0
0.0
0.0
.3333
‚6667
o,o
0.0
„3333
0,0
667
0,0
22/21 12/11. 7/6
16/15 «9/8 - 10/9
„5000
3333
1:2 CHROMATIC
ENHARMONIC
(50 + 50 + 400)
1:2 CHROMATIC
(67 + 133 + 300)
INTENSE CHROMATIC
SOFT DIATONIC
INTENSE DIATONIC
EQUAL DIATONIC
„1667
0.0
3333
„1667
9.0
„5000
3333
3333
3333
‚6667
1667
3333
0.0
0.0
3333
6667
„5000
1,00
1667
3333
‚5000
3333
3333
‚6667
3333
‚6667
+5000
1.00
INTENSE CHROMATIG
(100 + 100 + 300)
SOFT DIATONIC
(100 + 150 + 250)
INTENSE DIATONIC
„3333
(100 + 200 + 200)
+3333
CLASSIFICATION, GHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF
TETRACHORDS
Page 90
View in PDF(opens in a new window)combinatorial intervallic directional (OCID) metric and its unordered
counterpart, the unordered combinatorial intervallic directional (UCID)
metric. The OCID metric is the average of the differences of the signs
of corresponding intervals. The sign (sgn) of an interval is -1, 0, or +1
according to whether the interval is decreasing, constant or increasing.
The difference (diff) is 1 when the signs are dissimilar, otherwise the
difference is zero. The definition of the OCID metric on the difference
set is:
L
E dif (sgn (11) 86m (Ja)! Im Lm=6.
The UCID metric is the average of the absolute values of the numbers of
intervals with each sign. The definition of UCID on the difference set is:
L
L |#ei-f#ey Dl Lips, Lm = 6,
im2
where #e,” = the number of intervals in the matrix such thatv = sgn (J,,); i.e.,
v=[-1,0, 1].
The data from these computations are shown in 5-61 and 5-62. Similar
results were obtained with tetrachordal permutations (5-63 and 5-64).
5-63. Ordered (upper) and unordered (lower) combinatorial interval direction metrics on
difference setsfrom permutations ofArchytas’s enbarmonic genus.
28/27 36/35 - 5/4
28/27
« 5/4 + 36/35
28/27: 5/4 36/35
36/35 + 5/4 28/27
36/35-28/27-5/4
5/4.- 28/27-36/35
‚5000
3333
„5000
1667
„1667
0.0
-3333
3333
3333
0.0
0.0
0.0
+3333
‚6667
3333
0.0
5000
3333
3333
„6667
3333
0.0
‚5000
3333
3333
6667
1667
3333
36/35 « 5/4 28/27
36/35 + 28/27 « 5/4
5/4 28/27: 36/35
S/a- 36/35 « 28/27
„1667
CHAPTER 5
Page 91
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-64. Ordered (upper) and unordered (lower) combinatorial interval direction metrics on
difference setsfrom permuted tempered tetrachords,
ENHARMONIC
SO
+ 50
+ 400
50
+ 400 + 50
400 + 50+ 50
„5000
3333
3333
5000
3333
‚6667
50 +400
+ 50
INTENSE CHROMATIC
100 + 300 + 100
300 + 100 + TOO
.5000
.6667
3333
3333
.5000
‘3333
INTENSE DIATONIC
200 + 100 + 200
200
+ 200 + 100
TOO + 200 + 200
.5000
3333
3333
3333
100 + 100 + 300
100 + 300 + 100
„5000
200 + I00 + 200
„6667
SOFT DIATONIC
100
+ 150
+ 250
100 +250 + 150
150 +250+ I00
250+ 100+ 150
250 + 150+
100
1667
3333
5000
3333
3333
0.0
0.0
.1667
5000
3333
3333
0.0
100 + 250 + 150
150
+ 100+ 250
3333
1667
3333
6667
3333
6667
3333
5000
3333
0.0
0.0
‚5000
3333
150+ 100
+ 250
150 +250+100
‚6667
-1667
‘3333
250+ 100+ 150
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 92
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Rothenberg propriety
David Rothenberg has developed criteria derived from the application of
concepts from artificial intelligence to the perception of pitch (Rothenberg
1969, 1975, 1978; Chalmers 1975, 1986b). In Rothenberg’s own words
(personal communication); “These concepts relate the intervallic structure
of scales to the perceptibility of various musical relations in music using
these scales. Only the relative sizes of the intervals between scale tones, not
the precise sizes of these intervals are pertinent.” These concepts are applicable to scales of any cardinality whether or not the intervals repeat at
some interval of equivalence. In practice, most scales repeat at the octave,
though cycles of tetrachords and pentachords are found in Greek Orthodox
liturgical music (Xenakis 1971; Savas 1965).
To apply Rothenberg’s concepts, the first step is to construct a difference
matrix from the successive intervals of an n-tone scale. The columns of the
matrix are the intervals measured from each note to every other one of the
scale, The rows ty of the matrix are the sets of adjacent intervals measured
from successive tones, These intervals are defined conventionally: the row
of seconds (t,) comprises the differences between adjacent notes; the row
of thirds (tz) consists of the differences between every other note; etc., up
to the interval of equivalence (t,). Row ty contains the original scale.
A number of functions may be calculated on this matrix. The most basic
of these is propriety. A scale is strictly proper if for all rows every interval in
row ty-.1is less than every interval in row t,. If the largest interval in any row
tn-1 is at most equal to the smallest interval in row t,, the scale is termed
proper. These equal intervals are considered ambiguous as their perception
depends upon their context. A familiar example is the tritone (F-B in the
C major mode in 12-tone equal temperament), which may be perceived as
either a fourth or a fifth.
Scales with overlapping interval classes, i.e., those with intervals in rows
tn-1 larger than those in rows tn, are improper. These contradictory intervals
tend to confound one’s perception of the scale as a musical entity, and improper scales tend to be perceived as collections of principal and ornamental tones. Improper scales may contain ambiguous intervals as well.
5-65 illustrates these concepts with certain tetrachordal heptatonic
scales in the 12- and 24-tone equal temperaments. The first example is the
intense diatonic of Aristoxenos. The scale is proper and the tritone is ambiguous. The second scale is Aristoxenos’s soft diatonic which is also
CHAPTER 5
Page 93
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-65. Rothenberg difference matrices. The row
index is tn. Max Gy) is the largest entry in row tn.
Min (tq) is the smallest enry in row ty. The intense
diatonic tetrachord is 1 +2 +2 degrees or 6+12+12
parts. The soft diatonic derivesfrom 2 +3 + 5 or 6+9
+15 parts. The neutral diatonic is 3 +4 +3 degrees, a
permutation of 9 +9 + 12 parts. The intense
chromatic is 1 +1 +3 degrees. The enharmonic
tetrachord is 1+1+8 degrees. Intervals in
parentheses are ambiguous; those in square brackets
are contradictory.
proper, but replete with ambiguous intervals. A composer using this scale
might prefer to fix the tonic with drone or restrict modulation so as to avoid
exposing the ambiguous intervals. The next scale is patterned after certain
common Islamic scales employing modally neutral intervals. It is strictly
proper, a feature it shares with the more familiar five-note black key scale
in 12-tone equal temperament.
The final two examples, Aristoxenos’s intense chromatic and his enharmonic, are improper. The majority of the intervals of these scales are
either ambiguous or contradictory. These scales are most likely to be heard
and used as pentatonic sets with alternate tones or inflections.
Because the major (o 400 700 cents, 4:5:6 in just intonation), minor (o
300 700 cents, 10:12:15), subminor (0 250 700 cents, 6:7:9), and supramajor (o 450 700 cents, 14:18:21) triads are strictly proper, they can serve
to
ty
INTENSE DIATONIG IN 12-TONE ET: PROPER
o
2 4 6
7 9 II 12/0
I
2
2
2
I
2
2 MAX (£3) = MIN (t4) =6
to
ti
INTENSE CHROMATIC IN 12-TONE ET; IMPROPER
0
1
2
5
7
8
9 12/0
it 3] (2) 1
1 [3] Max (fy) > MIN (#2)
nn
t3
4
ts
3
5
7
8
4 4
© 5
7 7
9 9
3
5
7
8
3
5
ta
tz
4
ts
Ll 4 [sl 3 [2] 4 4 MAX G2)> MIN (f3)
5 (6 (6) ld] 5 5 5
7 7 7 7 6) (6) BI
8 8 10 8 [7] 9 m
te
IO
II
IO
IO
IO
II
IO
t6
9
IT
II
9
IO
II
II
t7
12
12
12
I2
I2
I2
12
ta
12
I2
I2
I2
I2
I2
I2
to
SOFT DIATONIC IN 24-TONE ET: PROPER
o
2
5 IO 14 16 19 24/0
to
ENHARMONIC IN 24-TONE ET: IMPROPER
o
I
2 IO Iq 15 16 24/0
8
4
5
7
9
3
5
7
9
tr
2
3
(5)
4
2
3 (5) Max (ti) = MIN (2)
ty
101
[B] 4
1
1
[8] MAX (ti) > MIN (2)
t2
(65)
8
(9)
6 (5)
8 (5) Max (¢2) = MIN (£3)
t2
tl
Ur] 5
[2]
9
9
t3
10 (12)11 (9) 10 10 10 MAX (f3)=
MIN (f4)
ta
10 [13] [13] [6] 10 10 10 MAX (£3) > MIN (ta)
te
ts
14
16
ts
(19) 22
t7
24
ta
ts
te
t7
14 14 14 14
15 15 22 15
16 23 23 16
24 24 24 24
14 14 14 (12) 13 (15) MAX (fg) = MIN (ts)
17 (19) 16 (15) 18 (19) ETc.
21
(19) 20
22
21
24 24 24 24 24 24
9
Max (2 > MIN (#3)
[rr] [rr] [18]
[12]ı9 22
20 23 23
24 24 24
NEUTRAL DIATONIC IN 24-TONE ET: STRICTLY PROPER
to
O
3
7
IO
14
17
21
iz
3
4
3
4
3
4
3
7
7
6
27
7
7
7
t3
ta
ty
ts
f7
II
14
18
21
24
IO
14
17
20
24
II IO 10 IO
14 13 I4 13
17 17 17 17
21 20 2I 20
24 24 24 24
IO
I4
17
21
24
24/0
MAX (En-1) < MIN (En)
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 94
View in PDF(opens in a new window)as sets of principal tones for improper scales. The various sets of principal
tones would be used as the main carriers of melodies, while the auxiliary
5-66. Propriety limits oftetrachords. The
differences
are in cents and an underlying zero
modulo 12 equal temperament is assumed, The
results for just intonation are virtually identical
except that thefourth of 498.045 cents and a whole
tone of203.91 cents replace the soo- and 200-cent
intervals in the computations.
tones would be used as ornaments. This topic deserves more extended
discussion than is appropriate here and Rothenberg’s original papers
should be consulted (Rothenberg 1969, 1975, 1978).
The fact that the minor and septimal minor triads are strictly proper may
explain certain musically significant cadential formulae in the Dorian
modes of the enharmonic and chromatic genera. These consist of a
downward leap from the octave to the lowered submediant (trite), then
ROWS
ti
DIFFERENCE MATRIX
a
b
500-4-b
12
a+b
soo-a
soo-h
ty
500
500
500
CONSTRAINTS:
0 < 4 < 250;
0 < b < 250; 250<4
+h< soo,
VERTICES: 0, 250; 250, 0} 250, 250.
down to the subdominant (mese) before ending up on the dominant (paramese). This formula may be repeated a fifth lower, beginning with a leap
from the subdominant (mese) to the lowered supertonic (parhypate) and
then down to the subtonic (hyperhypate) before ending on hypate (chapters
6 and 7). Minor triads are outlined in the chromatic genus and septimal
minor triads in the enharmonic. The latter chords contain the important
interval of five dieses called eklysis by the Greek theorists, and in fact, the
jump from parhypate to hyperhypate is seen in the Orestes fragment
(Winnington-Ingram 1936). The upper submediants (lichanos and paranete) may be substituted in both genera; the major triad appearing in the
5-67. Propriety limitsfor isolated tetrachords and
conjunct chains oftetrachords.
chromatic genus is also strictly proper.
As has been seen above, the propriety criterion separates those scales
derived from chromatic and enharmonic tetrachords from those generated
by diatonic genera. As will be seen later, the situation is somewhat more
complex; under certain conditions, some diatonic tetrachords yield only
improper scales, while some chromatic genera can combine with diatonic
tetrachords to generate proper mixed heptatonic scales.
Propriety may be computed for abstract classes of scales or subscalar
300
modules rather than for specific instances by replacing one or more of the
intervals by variables. If the three subintervals of the tetrachord are written
300
as a, b, and 500 - 4 —b (a, b, and 45/3a in just intonation), one can calculate
the Rothenberg difference matrix and determine the propriety limits for
isolated tetrachords or conjunct chains where the interval of equivalence is
the fourth. Such chains were present in the earlier stages of classical Greek
music and are still extant in contemporary Greek Orthodox liturgical music
(chapter 6 and Xenakis 1971).
The computation is performed by solving the inequalities formed by
setting each of the elements of rows # less than each of those in rows ty +1
86 CHAPTER 5
Page 95
View in PDF(opens in a new window)In practice, the work may be minimized because only the elements in the
first (2 + 1) / 2 rows of an n-tone scale need be considered. One may also
5-68. Propriety limits ofpentachords.
ignore relations that are tautological when all the intervals are positive.
The result is a set of constraints on the sizes of intervals a and b, shown
ROWS DIFFERENCE MATRIX
ab
500-4-b 200
12
4+b 500-4 700-a-b 20048
in 5-66. Tetrachords and conjunct chains of tetrachords spanning perfect
fourths, are strictly proper when intervals 4 and è satisfy these constraints.
The tetrachords and chains are proper when their intervals equal the ex-
#3
trema of the constraints. For values outside these limits, the tetrachords and
14
500
_700
700-4 7oo-b
700
700
200 +a +
700
GONSTRAINTS: 0 < 4 € 250; 0 <b < 250; 250 <a
.
+b < 500; 24 +b < 700; a + 2b < 700; b-a<
200; 300 < 24 +b.
|
.
conjunct chains are improper.
Because the three intervals a, è, and 500 — 4 — è add to a constant value,
there are only two degrees of freedom. Therefore, the domain over which
VERTICES! 250, 0; 50, 200; 33.3, 233.3; 100,
tetrachords are proper may be displayed graphically in two dimensions.
300; 233.3, 233.3; 250, 200.
The region in the 4 - è plane within which tetrachords are strictly proper is
shown in 5-67. The vertices define an area in the 4 - b plane within which the
5-69. Propriety limitsfor isolated pentachords and
constraints are satisfied. Points on the edges of the triangular region correspond to proper tetrachords. The two points on the axes are also proper
conjunct chains of pentachords.
as trichords, which are degenerate tetrachords with only three notes.
Similarly, the propriety limits for pentachords consisting of a tetrachord
and an annexed disjunctive tone (200 cents or 9/8) may be determined. The
300
difference matrix is shown in 5-68. As all circular permutations of a scale
have the same value for propriety, it is immaterial whether the disjunctive
tone is added at the top or bottom of the tetrachord. The region satisfying
the propriety constraints for isolated pentachords and pentachordal chains
is shown in 5-68.
Similar calculations may be carried out for complete heptatonic scales
consisting of two identical tetrachords and a disjunctive tone. This tone
300
5-70. Propriety limitsfor heptatonic scales with identical tetrachords.
5-71. Propriety limitsfor heptatonie scales
with identical tetrachords.
a
a+b
b
500-4
500-4-b
700-4-b
200
200+4
a
ath
b
500-4
soo-a-b
500-6
soo
700
700-4
700
700-5
700
200+4+b
700
500
500+4
500
500+5
500
1000-4-b
300 |.
i
:
CONSTRAINTS: 100
<4 < 250; 100<b<250;250<4+b<400,
VERTICES: 100,150; 100,250; 150,100; 150,250; 250,150; 250,100.
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 96
View in PDF(opens in a new window)may be placed between the tetrachords or at either end to complete the
octave (chapter 6). The results of the calculations are given in 5-70. The
region of propriety is shown in 5-71.
Complete tetrachordal space
An alternative mode of graphic representation may be clearer. Physical
chemists have long been accustomed to plotting phase diagrams for three
component mixtures on equilateral triangle graphs. The three altitudes are
interpreted as the fractions of each component in the whole mixture. There
A
:
INN I
DLS
4
AME
are only two degrees of freedom as the sum of the composition fractions
must equal unity. The data from 5-66, 5-68, and 5-70 have been replotted
in 5-72-73.
5-72. Propriety limitsfor tetrachords
and tetrachordal chains. These limits arefor chains ofconjunct
tetrachords such as arefound in Greek Orthodox liturgical music (Xenakis 1971).
5-72 shows the range over which the intervals 4, b, and soo — 4 - b may
vary and still result in proper tetrachords. Pentachords are shown in 5-73
and heptatonic scales in 5-74.
The advantage of the triangular graph over the conventional rectangular
type is most evident with the heptatonic scales of 5-74. All points in the
interior of the semi-regular hexagonal region correspond to strictly proper
scales, while the edges are sets of intervals that define scales that are merely
cma-b
500
b
(o)
a
(e)
a
€
b
500
(o)
500
5-73. Propriety limitsforpentachords
and pentachordal chains,
5-74. Proper heptatonic scales.
CHAPTER 5
Page 97
View in PDF(opens in a new window)proper. The three triangular spaces lying between the long sides of the
hexagon and the edge of the space contain diatonic genera which yield
500
improper heptatonic scales. In certain cases to be discussed later, some of
these tetrachords may be combined with other genera to produce proper
mixed scales,
The six vertices of the central hexagon in 5-74 are the six permutations
ofthe soft diatonic genus of Aristoxenos, 100 + 150 + 250 cents. The center
of overall symmetry is the equal diatonic genus, 166.667 + 166.667 +
166.667 cents. The intersection of the altitudes of the triangle and the
midpoints of the long sides of the hexagon are the three permutations of the
500
o
500
intense diatonic, 100 + 200 + 200 cents, while the intersections with the
midpoints of the short sides define the arrangements of the neo-
Aristoxenian genus, 125 + 125 + 250 cents. This genus lies on the border of
the chromatic and diatonic genera, but sounds chromatic because of the
5-75. Non-diatonic genera.
equal division of the pyknon.
The non-diatonic or pyknotic genera are portrayed in 5-75. The empty
border around the filled regions delimits the commatic (25 cents) and
subcommatic intervals. The small triangular regions in dark color near the
vertices are the hyperenharmonic genera whose smallest intervals fall between 25 and so cents in this classification (see the neo-Aristoxenian classification above for more refined limits on the boundaries between the
hyperenharmonic, enharmonic, and chromatic genera). Next are the trapc=a-b
500
ezoidal enharmonic and chromatic zones which flank the unmarked central
diatonic area. The enharmonic zone contains pyknotic intervals from 50 to
100 cents and the chromatic from roo to 125 cents.
These data are summarized in 5-76. The diatonic tetrachords generating
proper and strictly proper scales map into the central zone, The three triangular zones flanking the central region along the long sides of the hexagon are diatonic tetrachords which contain one of the small hyperenharmonic, enharmonic, or chromatic intervals. These diatonic genera
500
o
5-76. Complete tetrachordal space.
500
yield improper scales. As in 5-75, the chromatic tetrachords lie in the large
trapezoidal regions, with the enharmonic and hyperenharmonic beyond.
The outer belts of the chromatic zones depict genera with enharmonic and
hyperenharmonic intervals. Similarly, the enharmonic regions are divided
into realms of pure enharmonic and enharmonic mixed with hyperenharmonic intervals.
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 98
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Propriety of mixed scales
The computation of the propriety limits for heptatonic scales containing
dissimilar tetrachords is a more complex problem. Since there are now four
degrees of freedom, two for each of the tetrachords, the graphical methods
used for the single tetrachord case are of limited use. It is possible, however,
to consider the upper and lower tetrachords separately and to calculate
absolute limits on the intervals of each. If 4, b, and 500 ~ 4 — bare assigned
to the intervals of the lower tetrachord and c, d, and soo —c—d to the upper,
one can compute the range of values for a and over which it is possible to
find an upper tetrachord with which a proper scale can be generated. Similar
computations may be done for ¢ and d, These results of these calculations
are tabulated in 5-77 and are graphed in 5-78 and 5-79. These graphs use
only those relations which are solely functions of 4 and b or c and d.
Triangular plots of the same data are depicted in 5-80 and 5-81. The
union of the the upper and lower tetrachord regions corresponds to the
pentachordal limits of 5-68 and 5-73, and their intersection is the proper
diatonic region of 5-74. The upper and lower tetrachord regions are also
the intervallic retrogrades of each other as propriety is unaffected by retrogression or circular permutation of the intervals.
The solution to the general case of finding the limits for mixed tetra5-77. Propriety limitsfor beptatonic scales with
mixed tetrachords. (Only thefirstfour rows are
shown.)
a
atb
500
700
b
500-4
700-4
700-a+c
500-4-h
700-4-b
700-4-b+c
700-4-b+c+d
chordal scales must satisfy all the inequalities that relate a, 4, c, and d. It is
difficult to display this four-dimensional solution space in two dimensions.
One can, however, choose tetrachords from the lower or upper absolute
200
200 +¢
200+¢+d
700
€
c+d
500
500+4
d
500-6
500-c+4
500-c+4+b
500-6-d
500-c-d+4
soo-c-d+a+b
1000-c-d
CONSTRAINTS
ON @ AND b: 0 <4 <250;250 <a +b<500;24 +b<700;4
+ 2h <700.
VERTICES: 100, 150; 100, 300; 250, 200; 250, 0; 233.3, 233.3.
CONSTRAINTS
ON CAND dic < 250; 250 <¢ +d< 400; d~¢< 200; 300 <2¢ +d.
VERTICES: 50, 200; 33.3, 233.3; 100, 300; 250,150; 250, 0.
MUTUAL CONSTRAINTS ON
4, b, €, AND d:4<c+d;b<c+dc<a+bid<a+b;c<24;4+c<500;h+c<500j4+d<500;h-6<200;26-4<
300;4-c<100;c+d-8<300;a+b+c<7o0; 2¢+d-a<so00;¢+2d—a<500;4+b4+d<
700; 24 + 2h-¢ < 700; 4+b—-c~d < 100; 300 <a
+c+d;c+d<2a+b;200 <24 +2b—-¢-d; 2¢+d~a—b < 300; 24-¢—d < $00; 200<20+b-Gc+b+d-a< 500; 500 <a+b+c+d!300<
20 +2d-a;24+b-27-d<200.
90 CHAPTER 5
Page 99
View in PDF(opens in a new window)propriety regions of 5-80 and 5-81 and find companion tetrachords which
produce proper heptatonic scales when joined to them by a disjunctive
tone. These computations are performed in the same way as in 5-70 and
5-77, except that the variables in one of the two tetrachords are replaced
by the cents values of the intervals. The result of the calculations will be a
T
INTERVAL è
300
|-
range of values for the companion tetrachord.
INTERVAL 4
300
The three permutations of the intense diatonic genus in 12-tone equal
temperament (100 + 200 + 200 cents, 200 + 100 + 200 cents, and 200 + 200
5-78. Absolute propriety limitsfor lower
tetrachords.
+ 100 cents) as well as the neochromatic form of the syntonic chromatic
(100 + 300 + 100 cents) were selected as lower tetrachords. The propriety
limits for the upper companion tetrachords were then computed. These
Points in the interiors of the regions yield strictly proper scales, while
those on the peripheries produce scales that are merely proper. The neochromatic tetrachord has only a one-dimensional solution space; the uppermost point corresponds to a mode of the harmonic minor scale.
LI
INTERVAL è
Ww
le]
(e)
ï
results are shown in 5-82.
Similar calculations were performed for an additional 23 tetrachords and
INTERVAL 4
300
the results are tabulated in 5-83. In agreement with previous results (5-74
and 5-78), no proper scales could be formed from lower tetrachords whose
5-79. Absolute propriety limitsfor upper
tetrachords.
first intervals were microtones.
c=a-b
500
IN
N
Vo? /
NANNY
AZ AVAVAVI
a
500
i
N
[N
AN AVAN
P____AZIZ
NZVISA
VW
\VAVAVARA
c
o
b
500
a
500
5-80. Absolute propriety limitsfor lower
tetrachords.
€
(e)
b
500
5-81. Absolute propriety limitsfor upper
tetrachords.
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 100
View in PDF(opens in a new window)5-82. Propriety rangesfor upper companion tetrachords: limits
for the tetrachords (a) 100 + 200 + 200
cents, (b) 200 + 100 + 200 cents, (¢) 200 + 200 + 100
cents, (d) zoo + 300 +100 cents.
subsequently calculated to yield scales that are the intervallic retrogrades
or octave inversions of those above.
A number of interesting conclusions may be drawn from these data.
Proper heptatonic tetrachordal scales containing microtones are only possible under certain conditions. The microtonal intervals may be present in
either the upper or lower tetrachord provided they are not in the extreme
300 |
positions, i.e., not intervals 4 or 500-c-d.
Proper hexatonic scales also exist when tetrachordal intervals} or d equal
T
INTERVAL b
Upper tetrachords may also be chosen and lower companion ranges
INTERVAL 4
300
INTERVAL 4
300
zero and 4 and care 250 cents. These scales may be analysed as containing
a tetrachord, a disjunctive tone, and a trichord.
The tetrachordal genera which appear as vertices of the propriety regions are of great interest. In particular, the equal division 166.667 +
166.667 + 166.667 accepts as upper companions both chromatic and improper diatonic genera, including some with subcommatic intervals, Other
new tetrachords occurring as vertices are the improper diatonic genera
33.333 + 233-333 + 233.333; this is very close to Al-Farabi’s 49/48 - 8/7 . 8/
7, and 50 + 250 + 200, which is approximated rather well by 40/39 « 52/45 9/8,
Work of other investigators
Several other investigators have independently developed descriptors
functionally identical to Rothenberg’s strict propriety. Gerald Balzano has
used the notion of “coherence” in his work on microtonal analogs of the
diatonic scale in 12-tone equal temperament (Balzano 1980). Though not
INTERVAL 4
300
300 L
=
tetrachordal, Balzano’s scales are homologous to the tritriadic scales discussed in chapter 7. Ervin Wilson (personal communication) has applied
the term constant structure to scales in which each instance of a given interval
subtends the same number of subintervals, but not necessarily subintervals
of the same magnitude or order. This property is also equivalent to
propriety.
È
N
1
INTERVAL 4
1
1
CHAPTER 5
Page 101
View in PDF(opens in a new window)LOWER TETRACHORD
VERTICES
5-83. Proper mixed tetrachord scales, in cents. These
I.
100200200
50, 200; 50, 250; 200, 200; 200, 50
tetrachords
can combine with a disjunctive tone and
2.
200 100 200
100, 150; 100, 300; 200, 200; 200, 50
any tetrachord
in the region defined
by the vertices to
yieldproper or strictly proper scales. The retrogrades
of these tetrachords
can also serve as the upper tetra-
3,
4.
5,
200200 100
100 300 100
100150 250
100, 200; 100, 300; 250, 150; 250, 50
100, 200; 200, 100
50, 250; 50, 200; 150, 150; 150, 100
chords of proper scales, The third interval of each tet-
6.
100250 150
100, 150; 100, 250; 200, 150; 200, 50
rachord may be found by subtracting
the sum of the
two tabulated intervals from 500 cents. The neochromatic tetrachord number4 is the upper tetrachord
of the harmonic minor mode. Its region of propriety
is reduced toa line rather than an area
in the
tetrachordal intervalplane. Tetrachords 11, 12, and
26 cannot form proper scales with any upper
tetrachord.
7.
8.
9.
IO.
II.
12,
13.
Iq.
15.
16.
17.
18,
19.
20.
21.
150100250
150150 100
250100 150
250 150 100
50 250 200
50 200 250
200 50 250
200250 50
250 50 200
250 200 50
125 125 250
125 250 125
250125 125
150 150 200
150 200 160
50, 200; 50, 250; 150, 150; 150, 100
100, 275; 100, 200; 150, 250; 225,175; 225, 75
150, 150; 150, 250; 250, 150; 250, 50
150, 150; 150, 250; 250, 150; 250, 50
NO PROPER SCALES
NO PROPER SCALES
100, 150; 100, 200; 150, 150; 150, 100
200, 150; 200, 200; 250, 150; 250, 100
150, 150; 150, 250; 200, 200; 200, 100
200, 150; 200, 200; 250, 150; 250, 100
50, 200; 50, 250; 150, 150; 150, 100
87.5, 187.5; 87.5, 287.5; 212.5, 162.5; 212.5, 62.5
150, 150} 150, 250; 250, 150; 250, 50
50, 200; 50, 250; 200, 200; 200, 50
75, 175;
75, 2253 83.3, 283.3; 150, 2503 225, 175;
225,25
100, 150; 100, 300; 250, 150; 150,0
87.5, 187, 53 87.5, 237.5; 200, 125; 200, 75
100, 175; 100, 250; 212.5, 137.55 212.5, 62.5 :
22. 200150 150
23. 100275 125
24. 125 275 100
25. 233.33 233.33 33.33
233.33, 133-335 233.33, 166.67
26.
27.
33.33 233.33 233.33
166.7 166,7 166.7
NO PROPER SCALES
66,67, 183.33; 66.67, 266.67; 88.89, 288.89;
133.33, 266.67; 233.33, 166.67; 233.33, 16.67
CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANALYSIS OF TETRACHORDS
Page 102
View in PDF(opens in a new window)6 Scales, modes, and systems
THE FORMATION OF heptatonic scales from tetrachords was mentioned
briefly in chapters 1 and 5. In the present chapter, scale construction will
be examined at greater length—in particular, the formation of nontraditional and non-heptatonic scales from tetrachordal modules. Before
introducing this new material, however, a brief review of the salient features
of the Greek theoretical system is necessary as an introduction to scale
construction.
The hierarchy of scalar formations
The ancient Greek theorists recognized a hierarchy of increasingly large
scalar formations: tetrachord, pentachord, hexachord, heptachord, octachord, and system. The canonical forms of each of these scalar formations
may be seen in 6-1. The smaller formations were finally absorbed into the
Perfect Immutable System which with its fifteen pitch keys or tonoi was the
highest structural level of the Greek theoretical doctrine. As the tetrachordal level has been introduced in earlier chapters, the discussion will
focus on the pentachord and larger structures.
|
The pentachord
Pentachords may be considered as tetrachords with disjunctive tones added
at either extremity. They divide the perfect fifth into four subintervals and
occur in several forms in the various modes of heptatonic scales. The two
forms of greatest theoretical importance are described in 6-1. While of relatively minor musical prominence, the pentachord has considerable pedagogical value in explaining how certain tunings and scales may have arisen.
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 103
View in PDF(opens in a new window)For example, Archytas’s complex septimal tuning system can be best
understood by considering not just the three species of tetrachord, but the
pentachords formed with the note a whole tone below. These would be the
note hyperhypate for the meson tetrachord and mese for the diezeugmenon
(Winnington-Ingram 1932; Erickson 1965). By the use of the harmonic
mean between hyperhypate (8/0) and mese (4/3), Archytas defined his enharmonic lichanos as 16/15. His tuning for the note parhypate (28/27) in
all three genera was placed as the arithmetic mean between the 8/9 and
32/27, the diatonic lichanos. This construction may be seen in 6-2,
The notes D F G and A form the harmonic series 6:7:8:9 and the notes
D G Aa minor triad, 10:12:15. The 7/6 which the hyperhypate (D) makes
with parhypate (F) is found in all three of his genera and is duplicated a
fifth higher between mese (A) and trite (C). This interval was very important in Greek theory and had its own name, ekbole (Steinmayer 1985).
It occurs in the Dorian harmonia shown in 6-q and in the fragments of
surviving Greek music.
As this interval has the value of 7/6 only in Archytas’s tunings and those
others of the 7/6 pentachordal family (chapter 4), it is interesting to consider analogous pentachords with the 28/27 replaced by other intervals.
6-2 also depicts such a system, employing a more Aristoxenian 1/4-tone
interval, 40/39, which was used by the theorists Eratosthenes, Avicenna,
and Barbour in their genera (See the Main Catalog and 4-3). This system
has a number of interesting harmonic and melodic intervals and could be
played very well in 24-tone equal temperament.
6-1. The hierarchy of scalarformations, The
tetrachord may be any ofthe those listed in chapter 9.
The interval ofequivalence is the 4/3. The two
canonicalforms ofthe pentachord are given. Other
forms occur in the various modes ofbeptatonic scales
of different genera and may have the 9/8
interpolated between the tetrachordal intervals.
Miscellaneous pentachordal structures
According to Xenakis, chains of conjunct tetrachords and pentachords
(trochos) are used in the liturgical music of the Greek Orthodox church
With the addition ofthe octave 2/1, the beptachord
FORM
NOTES
becomes the Mixolydian mode ofthe complete
beptatonic or octachordal scale. Ifthe 8/9 is added
below the 1/1 the scale becomes the Hypodorian mode
transposed downwards by a whole tone (9/8). The
next bighest structural level is that ofa system which
TETRACHORD
PENTACHORD I!
2:
HEXACHORD I:
2:
HEPTACHORD
OCTACHORD
1/1 ab 4/3
1/1 4 b 4/3 3/2
8/9 1/1 ab 453
I/t 4 d 4/3 3/2 3/2
1/1 4 b 4/3 3/2 34/2
1/1 ab 4/3 44/3 4bl3 16/9
1/1 2 b 4/3 3/2 34/2 36/2 2/1
contains al} the lower ones. The octachord is the
beptatonic Dorian mode.
CHAPTER 6
Page 104
View in PDF(opens in a new window)(Xenakis 1971, and chapters 2 and 5). These chains exhibit cyclic permutation of their constituent intervals. Most importantly, they are examples of those rare musical systems in which the octave is not the modulus
or interval of equivalence.
Additionally, more traditional heptatonic modes (echoi), some of which
appear to have genetic continuity with classic Greek theory, if not practice,
6-2. Pentachordal systems.
are employed. These may be analyzed either as composed of two tetrachords or as as combinations of tetrachord and pentachords. A number of
ARCHYTAS’S SYSTEM
D
8/0
E
ii
F
Gh
28/27 16/15
&
9/8
6/5
A
4/3
9/7
7/6
8/7
E
1/1
40/39 SYSTEM
F
Gh
G
G
40/39 16/15 10/9 32/27
6/5
15/13
5/4
13/10
5/4
15/13
Some irregular species of Greek and Islamic origin are also listed in
the Islamic scales were apparently modes used in actual music. 8- or g-tone
pseudo-tetrachordal octave scales may be formed by combining these with
A
4/3
appropriate fifths or fourths.
The hexachord, heptachord, and gapped scales
The hexachord and heptachord generally appear as transitional forms between the single tetrachord and the complete heptatonic scale or oc-
6/5
52/45
tetrachords from these modes are listed in the Catalogs.
chapter 8 along with Kathleen Schlesinger’s harmoniai to which they bear
some resemblance. These divide the fourth into four parts and the fifth into
five. The Greek forms are merely didactic patterns taken from Aristoxenos
and interpreted by Kathleen Schlesinger as support for her theories, while
5/4
7/6
D
8/9
G
32/27
tachord. The hexachord appears as a stage in the evolution of the
enharmonic genus from a semitonal pentatonic scale similar to that of the
modern Japanese koto to the complete heptatonic octave. This 5-note scale
is often called the enharmonic of Olympos (6-3) after the legendary musician who was credited with its discovery by Plutarch (Perrett 1926), This
and other pentatonic scales may be construed as two trichords combined
with a whole tone to complete the octave. The two intervals of the trichord
may be a semitone with a major third, a whole tone with a minor third, or
any other combination of two intervals whose sum equals a perfect
fourth.
At some point the semitone in the lower trichord was divided into two
dieses. This produced the spondeion or libation mode which consisted of
a lower enharmonic tetrachord combined by disjunction with an upper
trichord consisting of a semitone and a major third (6-3). This hexachord
or hexatonic scale evolved into the spondeiakos or spondeiazon tropos.
Eventually the semitone in the upper trichord was also split and a hep-
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 105
View in PDF(opens in a new window)6-3. Gapped or irregular scales, The notation used
here reproduces that of the references. The plus sign
indicates a tone 1/g-tone higher than normal.
Unless otherwise noted, no particular tuning is
assumed, but either Pythagorean or Archytas’s
supplemented as required with undecimal ratios
would be appropriate historically.
tatonic scale in the enharmonic genus resulted. This transformation may
have been completed about the time of Plato, who writes as if he distrusted
these innovations. In later times, the ancient pentatonic and hexatonic
melodic patterns were retained in compositions for voice and accompaniment (Winnington-Ingram 1936).
In principle, a hexachord can be obtained from a heptatonic scale in four
ways by omitting one tone in either tetrachord. 6-3 lists the versions found
in the literature. In these cases, the omitted note is the sixth degree, though
Pentatonic forms
the second version which lacks the seventh instead is a plausible inter-
ENHARMONIC OF OLYMPOS
e fa be
(e)
SPONDEION (WINNINGTON-INGRAM 1928)
e f a b c+ or e f+ a b c+
1/1 12/11 4/3 3/2 18/11 (2/1)
Some controversy, however, exists in the literature about the tuning of
these early gapped or transilient scales. The arguments over the relative
b
merits of enharmonic or diatonic tunings were discussed by WinningtonIngram (1928) whose scales and notation are reproduced in 6-3. Notable
SPONDEION (MOUNTFORD 1923)
28/27 4/3 3/2 18/11 (2/1)
are his and Mountford’s undecimal or 11-limit tunings for the pentatonic
forms. Winnington-Ingram’s undecimal neutral third pentatonic could be
Hexatonic forms
SPONDEIAKOS 07 SPONDEIAZON TROPOS
(WINNINGTON-INGRAM 1928)
e e+ f a be
the progenitor of the hemiolic chromatic genus (75 + 75 + 350 cents) and
diatonics similar to the equable diatonic such as 150 + 150 + 200 cents.
Henderson (1942) has also offered two quite different non-standard in-
SPONDEION (HENDERSON 1942)
f a b dé et ore e+ f a
1/1
with b+ d' & c' in the accompaniment
DIATONIC OF WEIL & REINACH
(WINNINGTON-INGRAM 1928)
efgabd
with by c & e' in the accompaniment
considerations.
The hypothetical diatonic versions of these scales according to the
Reinach provide a conventional diatonic form (Winnington-Ingram 1928).
DIATONIC OF GREIF
(WINNINGTON-INGRAM 1928)
de fa b c# (d)
SCHLESINGER (1939, 183)
ıvıo 11/9 11/8 11/7 1/6
terpretations of the enharmonic pentatonic based on etymological
suggestions of several scholars are listed in this table as well. Weil and
GAPPED SCALE OF TERPANDER & NICOMACHOS
(HELMHOLTZ 1877, 266)
e f g abd
(e)
wt
pretation in some cases. Schlesinger’s version is based on her theories which
are described in detail in chapter 8.
The version of Greif appears to be derived from the Lesser Perfect or
Conjunct System with the addition of a tone below the tonic as seen in the
Dorian harmonia of 6-4 (ibid.). It should be compared with the ancient
non-octaval heptachord which may also be formally derived from the
conjunct system (6-1).
The medieval diatonic hexachord of Guido D’Arezzo, cd e fg a c', may
(2/1)
be included with these scales too, although it is much later in time. In just
intonation, it is usually considered to have the ratios 1/1 9/8 5/4 4/3 3/2
Heptatonic form
5/3, derived from the Lydian mode of Ptolemy’s syntonic diatonic instead
CONJUNCT HEPTACHORD
of the Pythagorean 1/1 9/8 81/64 4/3 3/2 27/16. In the septimal diatonic
tuning of Archytas it would have the ratios 1/1 8/7 9/7 4/3 32/21 12/7.
cf
g
a
b
CHAPTER 6
Page 106
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The octachord or complete heptatonic scale
The union of a tetrachord and a pentachord creates an octachord or com-
6-4. The oldest harmoniai in three genera.
Dorian
ENHARMONIC de f-ggabc-d'pe'
CHROMATIC defgabcdje'
DIATONIC defgabcd'e
Phrygian
ENHARMONIG def-gabc-dyd'
CHROMATIC defgabcd'd'
DIATONIC defgabcd'
Lydian
ENHARMONIC f-gabc-dye'fCHROMATIC fgabcdy,e'f
DIATONIC fgabed'e'f
Mixolydian
ENHARMONIC
Bc-dydef-gb
GHROMATIC
Bcddefgb
DIATONIC
Bcdef(g)(a)b
Syntonolydian
ENHARMONIC BC-dyeg
CHROMATIC BC deg
DIATONIC cdefg
2ND DIATONIC BCdeg
Ionian (lastian)
ENHARMONIC BC-dyega
CHROMATIC BCdega
DIATONIC cefga
2NDDIATONIG BCdega
plete heptatonic scale. There is evidence, however, that initially two diatonic tetrachords were combined by conjunction, with a shared note
between them, to form a 7-note scale less than an octave in span (6-1). The
later addition of a whole tone at the top, bottom, or middle separating the
two tetrachords, completed the octave gamut. Traces of this early heptachord may be seen in the construction of the Lesser Perfect System and
in the irregular scales of 6-3 and 6-4.
Similarly, two enharmonic tetrachords were joined by disjunction with
the 9/8 tone between them to create the Dorian harmonia to which a lower
tone was added (6-4). An alternative genesis would connect two pentachords whose extra tones were at their bases to produce the 9-tone
Dorian harmonia to which other tones might accrete. By analogy, both the
enharmonic and diatonic proto-scales converged to the same multi-octave
structures later called by the name of system. In the fifth century sce the
wide ditone or major third of the enharmonic genus was gradually narrowed to a minor or subminor third by a process termed “sweetening.”
Eventually, this process resulted in the chromatic genus which was raised
to the same status as the diatonic and enharmonic genera.
The Greater and Lesser Perfect Systems
However the early evolution of the Greek musical system actually occurred, the result came to be schematized as the Perfect Immutable System.
Its construction was as follows: two identical tetrachords of any genus and
a disjunctive tone (9/8) formed a central heptatonic scale which became the
core of the system. Another identical tetrachord was then added by conjunction at both ends of the scale and disjunctive tone was patched on at the
bottom of the whole array. A fifth tetrachord, synemmenon, was inserted
conjunctly into the middle of the system to recall the ancient heptachord
and to facilitate commonly occurring modulations at the fourth. This supernumerary tetrachord was also a useful pedagogical device to illustrate
unusual intervals (Erickson 1965; Steinmayer 1985).
The final results consisted of sets of five tetrachords linked by conjunction and disjunction into arrays of fifteen notes spanning two octaves.
These systems, in turn, could be transposed into numerous pitch keys or
tonoi, at intervals roughly a semitone apart according to the later authors.
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 107
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The subset of four alternately conjunct and disjunct tetrachords (hypaton, meson, diezeugmenon, and hyperbolaion) was termed the greater
perfect (or complete) system (syotena tehetov pertov). The three conjunct
tetrachords (hypaton, meson, and synemmenon), was called the Lesser
Perfect (or Complete) System (oyotnpo. teActov eLattov or ekacoov). Their
union was called variously the Changeless System or the Perfect Immutable
System (ovompa teAeiov aneraßoAov) by different authors.
The Perfect Immutable System
By the fourth century Boe, the Greek theorists had analyzed the scales or
harmoniai of their music into sections of this theoretical two octave gamut.
This 15-note span is conventionally transcribed into our notation as lying
between A and a’, The Perfect Immutable System could be tuned to each
of the three genera, and while in theory all five of the tetrachords must be
the same, in practice mixed tetrachords and considerable chromaticism
occurred. Not only was the diatonic lichanos meson (D in the Dorian or
E mode) added, but other extrascalar notes led to successions of more than
two semitones (Winnington-Ingram 1936).
6-5 depicts the Perfect Immutable System in its theoretical form and in
its two most historically important intonations.
The fixed notes (hestotes) of the Perfect Immutable System were
proslambanomenos, hypate hypaton, hypate meson, mese, paramese, nete
diezeugmenon, nete hyperbolaion, and nete synemmon. The moveable
tones (Kivovpevol) were the parhypatai, the lichanoi, the tritai, and the
paranetai of each genus.
Lichanos hypaton, also called hyperhypate, a diatonic note a whole tone
(9/8 in Archytas’s and most other just tunings) below the tonic, was added
to the Dorian octave species in the chromatic and enharmonic genera in the
harmoniai of Aristides Quintilianus, certain planetary scales, and the Euripides fragment (ibid.).
Erickson (1965) and Vogel (1963, 1975) have shown that a number of
interesting tetrachords occur in the region where the synemmenon tetrachord overlaps with the diezeugmenon tetrachord in Archytas’s system.
These include the later and historically important 16/15 : 9/8 . 10/9 (Ptolemy’s syntonic diatonic), 16/15 + 10/9 : 9/8 (Didymos’s diatonic), the three
permutations of the Pythagorean diatonic, 256/243 - 9/8 - 9/8, (90 + 204 +
204 cents), the Pythagorean chromatic 32/27 - 2187/2048 - 256/243 (294 +
CHAPTER 6
Page 108
View in PDF(opens in a new window)114 + go cents), and Avicenna’s chromatic 7/6 - 36/35 - 10/9 (267 +49 + 182
cents). Some unusual divisions such as 28/27 - 81/70- 10/9 (63 + 253 + 182
6-5. The Perfect Immutable System in the diatonic,
chromatic, and enharmonic genera, tuned according
to Archytas’s and Pythagorean tuning. The
transcription is in the natural key to avoid accidentals
and the mistaken late shift ofemphasisfrom Dorian
to Hypolydian (Henderson 1957). The - andy
indicate that these are different pitches in the
enharmonic genus, Erickson (1965) proposes 64/45
as an alternative tuningfor trite synemmenon.
cents), 28/27 - 2187/1792 - 256/243 (63 + 345 + go cents), 16/15 - 35/32 - 8/7
(112 +155 + 231 cents), 16/15: 1215/1024: 256/243 (112 + 296+ go cents),
7/6 . 81/80 : 9/8 (267 + 22 + 204 cents), 32/27 - 81/80 - 10/9 (294 + 22 + 182
cents), 28/27 -64/63 -81/64(63 +22 +408 cents), 6/5 - 135/128 +2 56/243 (316
+92 + gocents), and 256/243 -81/80- 5/4 (go + 22 + 386 cents) are also found
here. Notable are the intervals of 253 cents, another possible tuning for the
ekbole, the neutral third of 345 cents, the three-quarter tone 35/32 (155
cents), and the minor whole tone 10/9.
The alternate tunings 16/15 and 28/27 for the first interval of the synemmenon tetrachord may have been used in order to obtain the spondeiasmos, an interval of three dieses approximating 150 cents, mentioned
by Bacchios (Steinmayer 1985; Winnington-Ingram 193 2). These intervals
would measure 35/32 (155 cents) as the difference between 14/9 and 64/45,
or 243/224 (141 cents) as the difference between 112/81 and 3/2. The in-
TRANSCRIPTION
DIA.
CHR. ENH.
ARCHYTAS
DIA.
CHR.
PROSLAMBANOMENOS
A
A
A
2/3
2/3
HYPATE HYPATON
B
B
B
PARHYPATE HYPATON
C
C
C-
3/4
7/9
LICHANOS HYPATON
D
D
Dy
HYPATE MESON
E
E
E
PARHYPATE MESON
F
F
F-
LICHANOS MESON
MESE
G
a
G
a
Ge
a
PARAMESE
TRITE DIEZEUGMENON
b
c
b
c
b
c-
ENH.
PYTHAGOREAN
DIA.
CHR.
ENH.
2/3
2/3
2/3
2/3
3/4
7/9
3/4
7/9
3/4
64/81
3/4
64/81
3/4
384/499
8/9
1/1
28/27
32/27
27/32
1/1
28/27
9/8
4/5
1/1
28/27
16/15
8/9
1/1
256/243
32/27
27/32
1/1
256/243
9/8
64/81
1/1
512/499
256/243
4/3
4/3
4/3
4/3
4/3
4/3
3/2
14/9
16/9
3/2
14/9
27/16
3/2
14/9
8/5
3/2
128/81
16/9
3/2
128/81
17/16
3/2
768/499
128/81
PARANETE DIEZEUGMENON
d
d
dy
NETE DIEZEUGMENON
e
e
e
TRITE HYPERBOLAION
PARANETE HYPERBOLAION
f
g
f
&
fE
2/1
56/27
2/1
56/17
2/1
56/27
2/1
512/243
2/1
512/243
2/1
1024/499
64/27
9/4
32/15
64/27
9/4
512/243
NETE HYPERBOLAION
a
a’
a'
8/3
8/3
8/3
TRITE SYNEMMENON (28/27)
bi
b
b-
G
Gy
112/81
64/45
8/3
1024/7209
128/81
8/3
2048/1497
c
112/81
3/2
8/3
1024/729
PARANETE SYNEMMENON
112/81
128/81
3/2
1024/729
NETE SYNEMMENON
d
d
D
16/9
16/9
r6/9
16/9
16/9
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 109
View in PDF(opens in a new window)3/2. The interval of three dieses also appears in Archytas’s chromatic as the
difference between the 28/27 and the 9/8. In many cases the scales containing these tetrachords would be mixed, but deliberately mixed scales
were not unknown. 6-6 lists some varieties of mixed scales recorded by
Ptolemy in the second century cr.
The scales actually employed in Greek music are a matter of some
confusion because of the paucity of extant musical examples and the variety
of theoretical works from different traditions written over a period of several centuries (fourth century BCE to fourth century ce). In the theoretical
treatises, the seven octave species or circular permutations of the basic
heptatonic scale are singled out and given names derived from early tribal
groups. These scales are notated in all three genera in 6-7. Their intervals
and notes are in shown in ratios for both Archytas’s and Pythagorean tuning
in 6-8 and 6-9. 6-10 gives the diatonic form in Ptolemy’s syntonic diatonic
(16/15 : 9/8 - 10/9), and 6-11 gives the retrograde of this genus (10/9 : 9/8 16/15). The Lydian mode in the former tuning is the standard just intonation of the major scale, and the latter is that of the natural minor mode
6-6. Scales in common use according to Ptolemy. In
the text, the names ofthe tunings are always given in
pluralform. (1), not the ditonic or Pythagorean, appears to have been the standard diatonic. On the kithara, in the Hypodorian mode it was called tritat; in
the Phrygian, bypertropa. (2a) is given in twoforms
in differentplaces in the Harmonics; the intense
chromatic (1:84), where it is mistranslated as “di-
(see chapter 7).
For the Pythagorean tuning of the enharmonic, I have used Boethius’s
much later arithmetic division of the pyknon, as the actual tuning prior to
Archytas is not known. Since the division of the semitone in both tetra-
I, STEREA, A LYRA TUNING: TONIC DIATONIC
t/t 28/27 32/27 4/3 3/2 14/9 16/9 2/1
atonic chromatic,” and the soft chromatic (2:208).
The tables (2:178) use the intense chromatic; the soft
chromaticfits the sense ofthe name better. On the kithara, (2b) in the Hypodorian mode is called tropoi
or tropikoi. In the Dorian mode on the kithara, (3) is
calledparypatai, (4) is in the Hypophrygian mode.
(5), inthe Dorian mode, is given variously as either
pure tonic diatonic ora mixture oftonic diatonic and
intense and is also referred to as metabolika. (6) is
from Avicenna (D'Erlanger 1935, 2:239), who
sometimes approximated complex ratios like 72/65
with superparticulars of similar magnitude such as
2. MALAKA, A LYRA TUNING: SOFT OR INTENSE CHROMATIC AND TONIC DIATONIC
A. I/t 28/27 10/9 4/3 3/2 14/9 16/9 2/1
B.I/t 22/21 8/7 4/3 3/2 14/9 16/9 2/1
3: METABOLIKA, ANOTHER LYRA TUNING: SOFT DIATONIC AND TONIC DIATONIC
1/1 21/20 7/6 4/3 3/2 14/9 16/9 2/1
4. IASTI-AIOLIKA, A KITHARA TUNING: TONIC DIATONIC AND DITONIC DIATONIC
1/1 28/27 32/27 4/3 3/2 27/16 16/9 2/1
5. IASTIA OR LYDIA, KITHARA TUNINGS: INTENSE DIATONIC AND TONIC DIATONIC
1/1 28/27 32/27 4/3 3/2 8/5 9/5 2/1
22/21, but the exact ratio is clearfrom the context.
6, A MEDIEVAL ISLAMIC SCALE OF ZALZAL FOR COMPARISON
1/1 9/8 81/64 4/3 40/27 130/81 16/9 2/1
CHAPTER 6
Page 110
View in PDF(opens in a new window)chords was completed only near end of the fourth century sce, the division
may not have been standardized and was most likely done by ear during the
course of the melody (Winnington-Ingram 1928), in which case the approximate equality of the dieses in Boethius’s tuning probably captures the
flavor of the scale adequately. Euler’s eighteenth-century tuning (Euler
[1739] 1960, and Catalog number 79) is similar and considerably simpler.
An impractical, if purely Pythagorean, solution (number 81) as well as some
other approximations are given in the Main Catalog.
Although these scales are analogous to the “white key” modes, the latter
are named out of order due to a misunderstanding in early medieval times.
TONIC
NAME
MESE
HYPERMIXOLYDIAN, HYPERPHRYGIAN, LOCRIAN
MIXOLYDIAN, HYPERDORIAN
LYDIAN
PHRYGIAN
DORIAN
HYPOLYDIAN
HYPOPHRYGIAN, IONIAN
HYPODORIAN, AEOLIAN
mous OH
OVS
ERR Me ERS
HYPERMIXOLYDIAN, HYPERPHRYGIAN, LOCRIAN
MIXOLYDIAN, HYPERDORIAN
LYDIAN
PHRYGIAN
DORIAN
HYPOLYDIAN
HYPOPHRYGIAN, IONIAN
HYPODORIAN, AEOLIAN
Enharmonic
103
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
oF
Fe OMY
Chromatic
m
6-7. The octave species in all three genera, The
traditional names are given first and alternate ones
subsequently. The Hypermixolydian was denounced
by Ptolemy as otiose and by the city ofArgos as
illegal (Winnington-Ingram 1936), This
transcription uses the natural key for clarity. Late
theorists mistakenly built the system and notation
about the F mode (Hypolydian) rather than the
correct E mode (Dorian) (Henderson 1957).
Although the Dorian, Phrygian, and Lydian modes
bave distinctive tetrachordalforms, these forms
were never named after their parent modes by any
of the Greek theorists. In the chromatic and
enharmonic genera the tonics of the species are
transformed. An alternative nomenclature for the
enharmonic tetrachord is E E+ FA. The mese kata
thesin is four scale degrees above the tonic with
which it usually makes an interval of a perfect
fourth.
© FrHpows
Diatonic
HYPERMIXOLYDIAN, HYPERPHRYGIAN, LOCRIAN
MIXOLYDIAN, HYPERDORIAN
LYDIAN
PHRYGIAN
DORIAN
HYPOLYDIAN
HYPOPHRYGIAN, IONIAN
HYPODORIAN, AEOLIAN
Page 111
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Diatonic (28/27 » 8/7 - 9/8)
HYPOLYDIAN (F — f)
1/1
MIXOLYDIAN
(B — b)
28/27 32/27 4/3
112/81
128/81 16/9 2/1
28/27 + 8/7 : 9/8 . 28/27 - 8/7 + 9/8 : 9/8
243/224 9/7 81/56 3/2 729/448 27/14 2/1
243/224: 32/27-9/8-28/27- 243/224 - 32/27: 28/27
1/1
ri
LYDIAN
(C —c)
8/7
9/7
4/3
32/21
12/7
27/14
2
8/7 + 9/8 » 28/27 - 8/7 + 9/8 - 9/8 - 28/27
32/27 4/3
112/81
3/2
16/9 448/243 21/1
32/27 + 9/8 + 28/27 - 243/224 - 32/27 + 28/27 | 243/224
Mi
PHRYGIAN
(D —d)
9/8
7/6
445
3/2
27/6
7/4
di
9/8 + 28/27 + 8/7 - 9/8 - 9/8 : 28/27 + 8/7
ur
1/1
DORIAN (E e)
28/27
32/27
4/3
3/2
4/9
16/9
2/1
28/27 + 8/7 > 9/8 - 9/8 + 28/27 « 8/7 - 9/8
1/1
MIXOLYDIAN
(B — b)
28/17 16/15 4/3 112/81 64/45 16/9 2/1
28/27 - 36/35 + 5/4 » 28/27 - 36/35 > 5/4 - 9/8
ri
HYPOLYDIAN
(F — f)
8/7
9/7
81/56
3/2
12/7
27/14
2/1
8/7 « 9/8 + 9/8 - 28/27 - 8/7 - 9/8 + 28/27
ur
LYDIAN (C- —c-)
36/35
9/7
4/3
48/35
12/7
27/14
alt
36/35 + 5/4 > 28/27 + 36/35 + 5/4 + 9/8 : 28/27
ir
9/8
I/I
PHRYGIAN (Dy,
— dy)
sla
35/27
43
5/3
15/8
35/18
2/1
5/4 + 28/27 + 36/35 + 5/4 + 9/8 - 28/27 - 36/35
1/1
DORIAN (E — e)
28/27
16/15
43
3/2
14/9
B/5
z/
28/27 « 36/35 + 5/4 + 9/8 - 28/27 - 36/35 « 5/4
MIXOLYDIAN (B — b)
ir
28/27
9/8
4/3
112/81
3/2
16/9
2/1
28/27 : 243/224 + 32/27 + 28/27 + 243/224 - 32/27 > 9/8
I/I
HYPOLYDIAN (F- — f-)
36/35
9/7
81/56
3/2
54/35
27/14 2/
36/35 + 5/4 + 9/8 + 28/27 - 36/35 - 5/4 > 28/27
LYDIAN (C — c)
ir
243/224 9/7
4/3
81/56
12/7
27/14 2/1
243/224 : 32/27 + 28/27 » 243/224 + 32/27 + 9/8 - 28/27
1/ı
PHRYGIAN (Dj — dh)
ı/ı
HYPOPHRYGIAN (G ~ g)
81/64
21/16
3/2
27/16
7/4
HYPOPHRYGIAN (Gy — gi)
HYPODORIAN
ih
2/1
HYPODORIAN
(A — a)
9/8
76
4h
3/2
14/9
16/9
2/1
9/8 - 28/27 + 8/7 « 9/8 + 28/27 - 8/7 - 9/8
3/2
14/9
27/16
2/1
HYPOPHRYGIAN (Gy — gy)
32/27 896/729 4/3 128/81 16/9 448/243 2/1
32/27 + 28/27 + 243/224 : 32/27 : 9/8 - 28/27 - 243/224
DORIAN (E — e)
28/27
9/8
4/3
3/2
14/9
27/16
2/1
28/27 - 243/224 - 32/27 + 9/8 - 28/27 > 243/224 : 32/27
6-8, The intervals of the octave species in all three genera in Archytas’s tuning.
104
81/64
Enharmonic (28/27 : 36/35 : 5/4)
Chromatic (28/27 « 243/224 : 32/27)
1/1
7/6
9/8 - 28/27: 243/224: 32/27 : 28/27 - 243/224 - 32/27
9/8 « 9/8 + 28/27 - 8/7 « 9/8 - 28/27 - 8/7
1/1
9/8
CHAPTER 6
5/4
45/32
35/24
3/2
15/8
35/18
alt
5/4 « 9/8 : 28/27 + 36/35 + 5/4 + 28/27 > 36/35
HYPODORIAN (A — a)
9/8
7/6
6/5
3/2
14/9
9/8 + 28/27 + 36/35 + 5/4 + 28/27 : 36/35 + 5/4
Page 112
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Diatonic (256/243 « 9/8 - 9/8)
MIXOLYDIAN (B — b)
256/243 32/27 4/3 1024/9729 128/81 16/9 2/1
256/243 + 9/8 > 9/8 + 256/243 : 9/8 - 9/8 - 9/8
LYDIAN
(C —c)
1/1
9/8
81/64
4/3
3/2
27/16
243/128
2/1
9/8 + 9/8 : 256/243 + 9/8 - 9/8 + 9/8 : 256/243
DORIAN
(E- e)
it
256/243
9/8
4/3
3/2
128/81
27/16
2/1
256/243 : 2187/2048 - 32/27 - 9/8 : 256/243 - 2187/2048 - 32/27
HYPOLYDIAN
(F — f)
1/1 2187/2048 81/64 729/512 3/2 6561/4096 243/128 2/1
2187/2048: 32/27 : 9/8 » 256/243 - 2187/2048 . 32/27 - 256/243
HYPOPHRYGIAN (Gj— gy)
PHRYGIAN
(D —d)
ı/ı
9/8
32/27
44
3/2
29/16
16/9
2/1
9/8 + 256/243 - 9/8 + 09/8 : 9/8 - 256/243 - 9/8
I/T
32/27 4/3
729/512
3/2
16/9
4096/2187 2/1
32/27 - 9/8 - 256/243 - 2187/2048 - 32/27 | 256/243 + 2187/2048
DORIAN (E-e)
rr
9/8
32/27
81/64
3/2
128/81
27/16
2/1
9/8. 256/243 2187/2048 : 32/27 - 256/243 2187/2048 - 32/27
1/1
256/243
3227
4/3
3/2
128/81
169
2/1
256/243 - 9/8 - 9/8 - 9/8 - 256/243 + 9/8 - 9/8
HYPOLYDIAN
(F ~ f)
243/128
2/1
ir
9/8
81/64
729/512
3/2
27/16
9/8 + 9/8 + o/8 : 256/243 + 9/8 + 9/8 : 256/243
ir
HYPODORIAN (A —a)
HYPOPHRYGIAN (G ~ g)
9/8
81/64
4/3
3/2
27/16
16/9
2/1
9/8 - 9/8 . 256/243 + 9/8 - 9/8 - 256/243 - 9/8
HYPODORIAN
(À —a)
1/1
9/8
32/27
4/3
3/2
128/81
16/9
2/1
9/8 : 256/243 : 9/8 : 9/8 - 256/243 : 9/8 : 0/8
Enharmonic (512/499 : 499/486 - 81/64)
MIXOLYDIAN
(B —b)
1/1 512/499 256/243 4/3 2048/1497 1024/729 16/9 2/1
512/499 : 499/486 « 81/64 + 512/499 : 499/486 - 81/64 : 9/8
LYDIAN(C--c-)
1/1 499/486 499/384 4/3 998/729 499/288 499/256 2/1
499/486 : 81/64 - 512/499 : 499/486 : 81/64 - 9/8 - 512/499
PHRYGIAN
(Dy, — dy)
1/1 81/64 648/499 4/3 27/16 243/128 972/499 2/1
81/64 + §12/499 - 499/486 « 81/64 - 9/8 - 512/499 - 499/486
Chromatic (256. 2187/2028. 32/27)
DORIAN (E—e)
MIXOLYDIAN
(B — b)
1/1
256/243
9/8
4/3
1024/729
3/2
16/9
21/1
256/243 - 2187/2048. 32/27 - 256/243 + 2187/2048 - 32/27 + 9/8
ir 512/499 256/243 4/3 3/2 768/499 128/81 24
512/499 : 499/486 : 81/64 : 9/8. 512/499 « 499/486 - 81/64
LYDIAN (C —c)
1/1 499/486 499/384 1497/1024 3/2 499/324 499/256 2/1
1/1 2187/2048 81/64 4/3 729/512 27/16 243/128 2/1
2187/2048 + 32/27 : 256/243 : 2187/2048 - 32/27 : 9/8 - 256/243
PHRYGIAN (D,
- di)
1/1 32/27 8192/6561 4/3 128/81 16/9 4096/2187 2/1
32/27 - 256/243 + 2187/2048 + 32/27 - 9/8 - 256/243 : 2187/2048
HYPOLYDIAN
(F- — f-)
499/486 » 81/64 : 9/8 - 512/499 : 499/486 » 81/64 : 512/499
HYPOPHRYGIAN (Gy— giù)
1/1 81/64 729/512 729/499 3/2 243/128 972/499 2/1
81/64 - 9/8 - 512/499 : 499/486 - 81/64 : 512/499 : 499/486
HYPODORIAN
(A — a)
1/1
9/8 576/499
32/27
3/2
768/499 € 128/81
2A
9/8 : 512/499 - 499/486 . 81/64 - 512/499 : 499/486 - 81/64
6-9. The intervals of the octave species in Pythagorean tuning. The tuning of the preArchytas enbarmonic is not known, but at first it had undivided sernitones, obtaining the
pyknon later. Boethius’s tuning is used here.
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 113
View in PDF(opens in a new window)6-10. The intervals ofthe octave species ofPtolemy's
intense diatonic genus. Seefigures 6-3 and 6-6for
names ofnotes. The diatonic tetrachord is 16/15 9/8 + 10/9. The Lydian mode in this tuning is the
major mode injust intonation. The Hypodorian or A
mode is not the minor made as thefourth degree is
29/20 instead of 4/3.
Although they are conventionally presented as sections of the two octave
gamut, they were actually retunings of the central octave so that the sequences of intervals corresponding to the cyclic modes fell on the notes of
the Perfect Immutable System (hypate meson to nete diezeugemenon, e to
e!). These abstract sequences of intervals are shown in 6-12. Thus, in the
Dorian tonos, the interval sequence of the Dorian mode filled the central
octave; in the Phrygian, the Phrygian sequence was central and the Dorian,
6-11. The intervals ofthe octave species ofthe Prolemy's intense diatonic genus, reversed, The diatonic
tetrachord is 10/9 : 9/8 « 16/15. The Lydian or C
mode in this tuning is the minor mode injust intonation. The Dorian or
E mode is not the major
mode as the second degree is 10/9 instead of9/8. This
scale transposed to C isJohn Redfield’s tuningfor the
major scale (Redfield 1928).
a tone higher. In the Hypolydian tonos, the initial A, proslambanomenos,
was raised a semitone, as was its octave, mese, the supposed tonal center
of the whole system.
From the original set of seven pitch keys (tonoi), a later set of thirteen
or fifteen theoretical keys at more or less arbitrary semitonal intervals developed, irrespective of genus (Crocker 1966; Winnington-Ingram 1936).
In Roman times, the theorists moved the entire system up a semitone so
MIXOLYDIAN (B — b)
irr
16/15
6/5
4/3
64/45
8/5
16/9 2/1
16/15 - 9/8 - 10/9 - 16/15 + 9/8 + 10/9 - 9/8
1/1
MIXOLYDIAN (B — b)
109
5/4
4/3
40/27
55
16/9
2/1
10/9 « 9/8 - 16/15 - 10/9 + 9/8 - 16/15 - 9/8
LYDIAN (C — c)
2/1
1/1
9/8
5/4
aa
3/2
553
15/8
9/8 - 10/9 + 16/15 - 9/8 + 10/9 « 9/8 + 16/15
1/1
LYDIAN (C — c)
9/8
6/5
aA
3/2
8/5
9/5
2/1
9/8 + 16/15 + 10/9 - 9/8 + 16/15 + 9/8 » 10/9
PHRYGIAN (D - d)
1/1
10/9 32/27 als
40/27 5/3
16/9 2/1
10/9 + 16/15 + 9/8 + 10/9 + 9/8 - 16/15 - 9/8
PHRYGIAN (D — d)
ir 16/15 32/27 4/3 64/45 8/5 16/9 2/1
16/15 + 10/9 - 9/8 - 16/15 : 9/8 - 10/9 - 9/8
DORIAN (E — e)
16/15
6/5
4/3
3/2
Ba
09%
2/1
16/15 + 9/8 - 10/9 - 9/8 - 16/15 : 9/8 - 10/9
1/1
HYPOLYDIAN (F — f)
1/1
9/8
5/4 45/32
3/2
27/16
15/8
2/1
9/8 - 10/9 «9/8. 16/15 + 9/8 - 10/9 - 16/15
ri
1/1
1/1
DORIAN (E. —e)
HYPOPHRYGIAN (G - g)
10/9
sa
4/3
3/12
5/3
16/9
2/1
10/9 + 9/8 + 16/15 - 9/8 - 10/9 - 16/15 - 9/8
109
sla
a
342
5a
18/8
2/1
10/9 : 9/8 » 16/15 « 9/8 - 10/9 - 9/8 - 16/15
HYPOLYDIAN (F - f)
9/8
6/5
27/20
3/2
27/6
9/5
2/1
9/8 - 16/15 - 9/8. 10/9 - 9/8 - 16/15 « 10/9
HYPOPHRYGIAN (G — g)
ui
16/15
6/5
4/3
3/2
8/5
16/9
2/1
16/15 » 9/8 . 10/9 - 9/8 - 16/15 - 10/9 - 9/8
HYPODORIAN (A — a)
ir
9/8
6/5
27/20
3/2
8/5
9/5
2/1
9/8 + 16/15 - 9/8 + 10/9 - 16/15 - 9/8 + 10/9
1/1
106
HYPODORIAN (A — a)
9/8
sla
45/32
3/2
5/3
15/8
9/8 . 10/9 - 9/8 © 16/15 - 10/9 - 9/8 « 16/15
CHAPTER 6
Page 114
View in PDF(opens in a new window)6-12. Interval sequences of the octave species ofthe
that the central octave began on either E or F in modern notation. In this
abstract tetrachord a-b-c.a-b-c=4/3(c=4/3ab)
injust intonation or a+b +500-a-b with the
disjunctive tone equaling 200 cents in the zero
modulo 12 equal temperaments. In the Main
Catalog, c is equal to the CI.
final form, however, the central octave had the interval sequence of the
Hypolydian mode rather than the Dorian.
The modal retunings could also be considered as transpositions of the
entire Perfect Immutable System. The order of the keys ran in the opposite
direction to that of the hornonymous octave species and the octave species
could be described either by the positions of their interval sequences in
MIXOLYDIAN
HYPOLYDIAN
a.b.cva-b.c.g/8
b.c-.g/B-a.b.c-a
LYDIAN
HYPOPHRYGIAN
b:c'a.b:c-0/8.4
c-9/8.a.b.cva.b
PHRYGIAN
c-a-b-¢.9/8-a-b
HYPODORIAN
Q/Ba-b-coa-bee
DORIAN
a:b.c-g/d.a-b.c
6-13. Vogel's transcription ofthe Greek notations.
Only the upper octave from mese to nete hyperbolaion
is shown. Vogel’s German notation has been transcribed into the American form. His notes bave been
transposed up an octave, and those marked with a bar
in the original are given a + here. 512/405 (406
cents) replaces 81/64 (408 cents), in Vogel's tuning.
In the upper halfofthe scale, 2048/1215 replaces
27/16.
relation to the untransposed Dorian or by the relative pitch of the entire
Perfect Immutable System. This duality is reflected in the two nomenclatures employed by Ptolemy, the “onomasia kata thesin” (by position) and “onomasia kata dynamin” (by function). The thetic nomenclature
in the natural key is used in the tables of this chapter and chapter 8 as it is
the same for all tonoi. The dynamic refers all notes to the Dorian tonos for
which the thetic and dynamic nomenclatures are identical.
NOTE
RATIO
NOTATION
MESE
TRITE SYNEMMENON
PARANETE SYNEMMENON
I/x
28/27
16/15 (ENHARMONIC)
A
Bi
Bi+
PARANETE SYNEMMENON, PARAMESE
9/8 (CHROMATIC)
B
TRITE DIEZEUGMENON
7/6
C-
PARANETE SYNEMMENON
32/27 (DIATONIC)
C
PARANETE DIEZEUGMENON
6/5 (ENHARMONIC)
C+
‘NETE SYNEMMENON
NETE DIEZEUGMENON
TRITE HYPERBOLAION
PARANETE HYPERBOLAION
PARANETE HYPERBOLAION
896/729
D,-
512/405 (CHROMATIC)
4/3 (DIATONIC)
112/81
Dy+
D
E-
64/45
B
3/2
14/9
8/5 (ENHARMONIC)
128/81
E
FF+
F
3584/2187
G-
2048/1215 (caromatIc)
16/9 (DIATONIC)
G,
448/243
Ap
256/135
NETE HYPERBOLAION
107
2/1
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 115
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The Greeks named the modes from their keynotes as octave species of
the Perfect Immutable System, while the medieval theorists named them
6-14. Unusual tetrachords
in Vogel's transcription.
CENTS
RATIOS
64/63 «81/80 - 35/27
27 +22 + 449
81/80 - 2240/2187 + 9/7
22 + 41 +435
49
+ 41 + 408
36/35 - 2240/2187 + 81/84
36/35 - 256/243 - 315/256
49
+ 90 + 359
27 +112 + 359
64/63 : 16/15 : 315/256
64/63 : 2187/2048 - 896/729
27+ 114+ 357
896/729 + 36/35 + 135/128
357 +49 +92
28/27 + 256/243 : 2187/1792
63 +90
+ 345
16/15 + 2240/2187 - 2187/1792 112 + 41 + 345
28/27 - 128/105 - 135/128
63+343+92
6/5 + 35/32 + 64/63
316+155 +27
6/5 : 2240/2187 + 243/224
316 +41 +141
7168/6561 : 36/35 - 1215/1024 153 +49+ 296
16/15 - 1215/1014 + 256/243
112+296+90
28/27 . 1024/945 + 1215/1024 63 + 139+ 296
267+ 139
+ 92
7/6: 1024/945 : 135/128
28/27 : 81/70 + 10/9
63 +253 +182
81/70. 2240/2187 : 9/8
153 + 4I +204
81/70 : 256/243 - 35/32
253 +90+155
135/128 . 7168/6561 - 81/70
92+153+253
16/15 + 280/243 - 243/224
112+245+ I41
36/35 + 9/8 - 280/243
49 + 204+ 245
8/7 + 81/Bo - 280/243
231+22+245
9/8 : 7168/6561 : 243/224
204+153+1I4I
9/8 : 4096/3645 : 135/128
204+ 202 + 92
155 +139
+ 204
35/32 + 1024/0945 «9/8
4096/3645 + 35/32 + 243/224 202 +155 + 141
in order of their transpositions (Sachs 1943). The two concepts became
confused by the time of Boethius. For this reason the names of the ecclesiastical modes are different from those of ancient Greece. In more
recent periods, other ecclesiastical nomenclatures were developed.
Greek alphabetic notations
In addition to the thetic and dynamic nomenclatures, which were really
tablatures derived from the names of the strings of the kithara or similar
instrument, there were two alphabetical cipher notations, the vocal and the
instrumental, These were recorded for the each of the tonoi in all three
genera by the theorist Alypius. The independent elucidation of Alypius’s
tables by Bellermann (1847) and Fortlage (18477) have permitted scholars to
transcribe the few extant fragments of Greek music into modern notation.
Vogel (1963, 1967) has translated these cipher notations into a tuning
system based on Archytas’s and Pythagoras’s genera (6-4). This set of tones
includes a number of unusual tetrachords, most of which occur in several
permutations (6-13). Some of these are good approximations to the neo-
Aristoxenian types: 50 + 100 + 350 cents, §0 + 150 + 300 cents, 50 + 250 + 200
cents, and 150+150+200 cents of chapter 4.
The Greek notations, however, were not entirely without ambiguity,
and some uncertainly exists over the meaning of certain presumed “enharmonic” equivalences, i.e. two notes of the same pitch written differently.
Kathleen Schlesinger developed her somewhat fantastic theories, detailed
in chapter 8, in part from deliberations on the apparent anomalies of these
notations,
Concise descriptions of the notational systems may be found in Sachs
(1943) and Henderson (1957).
The oldest harmoniai or modes
Although the melodic canons laid down by Aristoxenos (330 BCE) stated
that the smallest interval the melody could move from the pyknon was a
whole tone and that notes four or five positions apart must make either
perfect fourths or fifths, both literary evidence and the surviving fragments
attest to mixed scales and chromaticism (Winnington-Ingram 1936), as
mentioned previously, A late writer, Aristides Quintilianus, gave a list of
what he said were the scales approved by Plato in the Republic. These scales
CHAPTER 6
Page 116
View in PDF(opens in a new window)are in the enharmonic genus and depart quite strongly from the conventional octave species of 6-7. Since it is known that both diatonic and chromatic scales of the same name existed, it is tempting to try to reconstruct
them. 6-4 contains Aristides’s enharmonic harmoniai, Henderson’s (1942)
diatonic versions, and my own chromatic and diatonic forms. The chromatic versions are based on Winnington-Ingram’s indication that there is
literary evidence for certain chromatic versions (1936). The diatonic harmoniai are from Henderson (1942), except in the cases of the Syntonolydian and Iastian where I have supplied a second diatonic which I feel
better preserves the melodic contours. In the enharmonic and chromatic
forms of some of the harmoniai, it has been necessary to use both a d and
either a d, or dy because of the non-heptatonic nature of these scales. C and
F are synonyms for dy and gy. The appropriate tunings for these scales are
those of Archytas (Mountford 1923) and Pythagoras.
These scales are very important evidence for the use of extrascalar tones
(diatonic lichanos meson, called hyperhypate) and scalar gaps, which were
alluded to by Aristoxenos as an indispensable ingredient in determining the
ethos of the mode. Furthermore, one of the fragments, a portion of the first
stationary chorus of Euripides’s Orestes, uses hyperhypate and the enharmonic in such a way as to prove that the middle tone of the pyknon
(mesopyknon) was not merely a grace note, but a full member of the scale
(Winnington-Ingram 1936).
Ptolemy’s mixed scales
Still more remote from the conventional theory are the mixed scales listed
by Ptolemy in the Harmonics. These scales are ones that he said were in
common use by players of the lyra and kithara in Alexandria in the second
century ce (6-6). These scales bear some resemblance to modern Islamic
modes containing 3/4-tone intervals, as does Ptolemy’s equable diatonic,
12/11» 11/10 + 10/9. They offer important support and evidence for the
combination of tetrachords of varying genera and species to generate new
musical materials.
Permutation of intervals
Although traditional techniques can generate a wealth of interesting material for musical exploration, the Greek writers suggested only a small
_ fraction of the possibilities inherent in the permutations and combinations
of tetrachords. While Aristoxenos mentioned the varying arrangements of
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 117
View in PDF(opens in a new window)6-15. Permutations of sequentialfourths, See
Wilson 1986forfurther details. This example begins
with the Dorian mode ofthe standard ascending
formfor clarity and consistency with other sections of
this treatise, The sizes ofthefourths rangefrom 6/5
(316 cents) to 35/24 (653 cents). Interval 7 in the
original sequence isa fixedfourth, The pair ofpermutedfourths
are in boldface. The last tetrachord is
Archytas's diatonic.
zauzwern
1/1
ORIGINAL SCALE
28/27 16/15 4/3 3/2 14/9 8/5 2/1
28/27 36/35: 5/4 9/8 + 28/27 - 36/35 5/4
FOURTHS
1/1 to 4/3
4/3 to 8/5
8/5 to 16/15
16/15t014/9
14/9 t0 28/27
28/27 to 3/2
3/2 to 2/1
SIZE
43
6/5
4h
35/24
443
81/56
4h
the intervals of the tetrachord in the different octave species, the Islamic
theorists, such as Safıyu-d-Din, gave lengthy tables of all the permutational
forms of tetrachords with two and three different intervals. However, the
construction of 5-, 6-, and 7-tone scales from permuted tetrachords and
trichords (gapped tetrachords) has been studied most thoroughly by the
composer Lou Harrison (1975). Harrison constructed scales from all the
permutations of the tetrachords and trichords and allowed different permutations in the upper and lower parts of the scale.
In chapter 5, the melodic properties of scales constructed of either
identical or dissimilar tetrachords, irrespective of permutational order, are
analyzed according to the perception theories of David Rothenberg (1969,
1975, 1978; also Chalmers 1975).
Wilson's permutations and modulations
Perhaps the most sophisticated use to date of tetrachordal interval permutation in a generative sense is Ervin Wilson’s derivation of certain North
Indian thats (raga-scales) and their analogs (Wilson 1986a; 1987). In “The
Marwa Permutations” (1986a), Wilson’s procedure is to permute the order
of the sequential fourths of heptatonic scales constructed from two iden-
ORIGINAL SEQUENGE
I
2
3
4/3
6/5
4/3 35/24 4/3 81/56 (4/3)
04
5
6
7
PERMUTED SEQUENCE
I
3
204
4/3
4/3
6/5 35/24 4/3
5
6
7
81/56 (4/3)
NEW SCALE
1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3 3/2 14/9 16/9 2/1
28/27 - 36/35 : 5/4 + 9/8 - 28/27 - 8/7 - 9/8
tical tetrachords. These sequential fourths are computed in the usual
manner by starting with the lowest note of one of the modes and counting
three melodic steps upwards. The process is continued until the cycle is
complete and one is back to the original tone. The resulting seven fourths
are the same as the adjacent fourths of the difference matrices of chapter
5, but in a different order. In abstract terms, if the intervals of the tetrachord
are @-b/a. 4/3b, the scale is 1/1 ab 4/3 3/2 34/2 34/2, and 2/1. The sequential
fourths from 1/1 are thus 4/3, 3/24, 34/25, 9b/8, 4/3, 4/3, and 4/3. Itis clear
that these fourths must be of at least two different sizes even in Pythagorean
intonation,
While holding the position of one fourth constant to avoid generating
cyclic permutations or modes, pairs of fourths are exchanged to create new
sequences of intervals in general not obtainable by the traditional modal
operations. Both the choice of the positionally fixed fourth and the arrangement of the tetrachordal intervals affect the spectrum of scales obtainable from a given genus.
6-15 illustrates this process with the enharmonic genus of Archytas. The
exchange of the second and third fourths converts the upper tetrachord into
CHAPTER 6
Page 118
View in PDF(opens in a new window)lamic
Archytas’s diatonic and yields a mixed scale, half enharmonic and half diional
atonic. Further application of this principle produces additional scales until
t, the
the original sequence is restored. Each of these scales could be modally
sand
(cyclically) permuted as well.
y the
Il the
perither
r, are
969,
6-16, Modulations by sequentialfourths. This
example begins with the Dorian modefor consistency
with other sections ofthis treatise. The sizes ofthe
fourths rangefrom 6/5 (316 cents) to 35/24 (653
cents). In the original sequence the exceptionalfourth
is in boldface. In the rotated sequence the scale has
been modally permuted to separate the exceptional
fourth (in boldface)from the rest. In thefirst
modulated sequence the 6/5 (in boldface) has been
interpolated betweenfourths 7 and 1 ofthe original
perThe
rder
series, In the second modulated sequence the 6/5 (in
boldface) has been interpolated betweenfourths 3 and
Wilson derives a number of the thats of North Indian ragas by operating
on various arrangements of the tetrachords 256/243 - 9/8 - 9/8, 16/15 9/8 - 10/9, 28/27 + 8/7 -9/8, 16/15 + 135/128 - 32/27, and 10/9: 10/9 - 27/25.
He then generates analogs of these scales from other tetrachords, including
those with undecimal intervals.
In his 1987 paper, Wilson described a complementary technique of
modulation (“The Purvi Modulations”). This technique makes use of the
fact that at least one of the fourths differs greatly in size from the rest. The
exceptional fourth may be abstracted from the linear fourth sequence and
interpolated between successive pairs to generate derived scales. At the end
of seven such interpolations, the linear sequence is cyclically permuted by
one position and the process of interpolation continued. After 42 steps the
4 ofthe original series. The new tetrachord is
Archytas’s diatonic.
den-
ORIGINAL SCALE
ting
1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3 3/2 14/9 8/5 2/1
28/27 - 36/35 + 5/4: 0/8. 28/27 - 36/35 : 5/4
le is
ter
ord
ear
an
RAR
Y PE
sual
FOURTHS
SIZE
1/1 TO 4/3
4/3 To 8/5
8/5 To 16/15
16/15 TO 14/9
14/9 To 18/27
28/27 To 3/2
3/2 To 2/1
4h
6/5
4/3
35/24
4/3
81/56
4/3
ng
ew
dal
I
4/3
2
6/5
4/3
81/56
4/3
4
MODULATED SEQUENCE I
2
6/5
3
4
5
6
7
4/3 35/24 4/3 81/56 4/3
1/1
9/8
I
4/3
7/6
6/5
3/2
14/9
8/5
MODULATED SEQUENGE 2
3
4
5
6
7
4/3 35/24 4/3 81/56 4/3
3
4
§
6
7
4/3 35/24 4/3 81/56 4/3
I
4/3
3
2
7
I
4/3
6/5 35/24 4/3 81/56 4/3
4
5
6
4/3
NEW SCALE 2
1/1
9/8 7/6 4/3 3/2 14/0 8/55 2/1
9/8 + 28/27: 8/7 + 9/8 - 28/27 - 36/35 : 5/4
2
6/5
NEW SCALE
tt
5/4 35/27 4/3
5/3
2/1
9/8. 28/27 : 36/35: 5/4 28/27 - 36/35 + 5/4
ROTATED SEQUENCE
he
35/24
NEW SCALE I
ORIGINAL SEQUENCE
ir
to
THE LINEAR SEQUENCE OF FOURTHS
4/3
15/8
35/18 2/1
5/4 + 28/27 - 36/35 - 5/4 - 9/8 > 28/27 - 36/35
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 119
View in PDF(opens in a new window)original scale is restored, but transposed to a new and remote key. Wilson
also provides an alternate derivation which better brings out the transpositional character of the process. In this case the linear sequence of
non-exceptional fourths is tandemly duplicated to form a series of
indefinite extent. Successive overlapping 6-unit segments of this series are
appended with the exceptional fourth to form octave scales. After seven
operations, the sequence repeats with a new mode of the original scale. The
process is illustrated in 6-16.
Non-traditional scale forms
In the remainder of this chapter, some non-traditional approaches to scale
construction from tetrachordal modules will be presented. These approaches are presented as alternatives to the historical modes and other
types of scales which were discussed in the earlier parts of this chapter.
The first group of non-standard tetrachordal scales is generated by
combining a given tetrachord with an identical one transposed by one of its
own structural intervals or the inversion of one of these intervals (6-17).
This process yields 7-tone scales, including three of the traditional modes
if the interval is 4/3, 3/2, or with a slight stretching of the concept, 9/8 and
6-17, Complexes ofone tetrachordalform.
3/2 together. The other tetrachordal complexes, however, are quite different from the historical modes.
I. TRANSPOSITION BY 4
1/1 4 b 24 ab 4/3 44/3 2/1
7. TRANSPOSITION BY 9/8 & 3/2, HYPODORIAN
1/1 9/8 94/8 gb/8 3/2 34/2 36/2 2/1
2. TRANSPOSITION BY è
1/1 ab ab 2b 4/3 4b/3 2/1
8. TRANSPOSITION BY 4/35
1/14 b4/3b 4/3 galzb 16/96 2/1
3. TRANSPOSITION BY 4/3, MIXOLYDIAN
1/1 4b 4/3 44/3 4b/; 16/0 2/1
9. TRANSPOSITION BY 4/34
1/1 a b 4/34 4/3 4b/3a 16/94 2/1
4. TRANSPOSITION BY 3/2, DORIAN
1/14 b 4/3 3/2 3a/2 3b/2 2/1
1/1 a2/bab qa/3b 4/3 afb 2/1
5. TRANSPOSITION BY 2/b
1/14 b 4/3 2/b alb 4/3b 2/1
1/1 b/a ab bıla 4/3 ablza ılı
10. TRANSPOSITION BY 4/b
I1. TRANSPOSITION BY b/a
6. TRANSPOSITION BY 2/4
1/14 bah ala bla 4/3a 2/1
CHAPTER 6
Page 120
View in PDF(opens in a new window)6-18 provides examples of the resulting scales when the generating tetrachord is Archytas’s enharmonic, 28/27 - 36/35 - 5/4. In this case interval a
equals 28/27 and bis 16/15 (28/27-36/35).
As some of these tetrachordal complexes have large gaps, one might try
combining two of them, one built upwards from 1/1 and the other downwards from 2/1 to create a more even scale, though there are precedents for
such gapped scales, i.e., the Mixolydian harmonia (6-4). While the normal
ascending or prime form of the tetrachord—the one whose intervals are in
the order of smallest, medium and largest—is used to demonstrate the
technique, any of the six permutations would serve equally well. In fact, Archytas’s enharmonic and diatonic genera are not strictly of this form as 28/
27 is larger than 36/35 and 8/7 is wider than 9/8.
The next class of tetrachordal complexes are those composed of a tetrachord and its inverted form. 6-19 lists some simple examples of this ap6-18. Complexes ofthe prime form ofArchytas’s
enbarmonie.
proach; 6-20 lists the resulting notes in Archytas’s enharmonic tuning.
These scales have six, seven, or eight tones.
I. TRANSPOSITION BY4
1/1 28/27 16/15 784/729 448/405 4/3 112/81 2/1
o 63 112 126175 498 561 1200
7. TRANSPOSITION BY 9/8 & 3/2, HYPODORIAN
1/1 9/8 7/6 6/5 3/2 14/9 8/5 2/1
0 204 267 316 702 765 814 1200
2. TRANSPOSITION BY b
1/1 28/27 16/15 448/405 256/225 4/3 64/32 2/1
063 112 175 223 498 610 1200
1/1 28/27 16/15 5/4 35/27 4/3 5/3 2/1
063 112 386 449 498 884 1200
8. TRANSPOSITION BY 4/36
9. TRANSPOSITION BY 4/34
1/1 28/27 16/15 9/7 4/3 48/35 12/7 2/1
3. TRANSPOSITION BY 4/3 MIXOLYDIAN
1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3 112/81 64/45 16/9 24
063 112 498 561 610 996 1200
063 112 435 498 547 933 1200
10, TRANSPOSITION BY 4/b
1/1 245/243 28/27 16/15 35/27 4/3 35/18 2/1
o 14.63 112 449 498 1151 1200
4. TRANSPOSITION BY 3/2, DORIAN
t/t 28/27 16/15 4/3 3/2 14/9 8/5 2/1
063112 498 702 765 814 1200
LI. TRANSPOSITION BY b/a
1/1 36/35 28/27 16/15 192/175 4/3 48/35 2/1
o 49 63 112 161 498 561 1200
5. TRANSPOSITION BY 2/b
1/1 28/27 16/15 5/4 4/3 15/8 35/18 2/1
o 63 112 386 498 1088 1151 1200
6. TRANSPOSITION BY 2/4
1/1 36/35 28/27 16/15 9/7 4/3 27/14 2/1
o 49 63 112 435 498 1137 1200
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 121
View in PDF(opens in a new window)I, TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 4, 6 TONES, A HEXANY
1/1 ab 4a/3b 4/3 4a/3 2/1
2. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY È, 6 TONES, A HEXANY
1/1 4 b 4/3 4b/3a 4b/3 2/1
6-19. Simple complexes ofprime and inverted
forms. Two versions ofthe pseudo- (¥-) Hypodorian
mode are shown to illustrate the effect ofreversing
the placement ofthe prime and invertedforms. The
two scales are not modes ofeach other.
3: TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 4/3, 7 TONES, W-MIXOLYDIAN
1/1 a b 4/3 16/9b 16/ga 16/0 2/1
4. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 3/2, 7 TONES, W-DORIAN
1/1 4 b 4/3 3/2 2/b 2/a 2/1
5. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 2/b, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 ab 4/3 2/b 4/36 4/3ab 4/3b 2/1
6. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 2/4, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 ab 4/3 2/a 4/3a? 4/3ab 4/34 2/1
7: TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 9/8 & 3/2, 7 TONES, W-HYPODORIAN I
1/1 9/8 3/2b 3/24 3/2 3a/2 3b/2 2/1
8. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 9/8 & 3/2, 7 TONES, W-HYPODORIAN 2
1/1 9/8 04/8 gb/B 3/2 2/b 2/a 2/1
9. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY I/I, 6 TONES, A HEXANY
1/14b4/3b4/3a 4/3 2/1
10. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 4/35, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 a b 4/3b 4/3 16/0b? 16/gab 16/9b 2/1
LI. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 4/34, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 ab 4/34 4/3 16/94b 16/94? 16/94 2/1
12, TETRACHORDAL HEXANY, 6 TONES, A-MODE
1/1 b/a b 4/3a 4/3 4bl3a 2/1
13. EULER'S GENUS MUSICUM, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 ab ab 4/3 qal3 4b/3 4ab/3 2/1
14. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY B/A, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 b/a a b 4/34 4/3 4b/3a2 4b/3a 2/1
15. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY A/B, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 4b 4a/3b? 4/3b galzb 4/3 a/b zlı
CHAPTER 6
Page 122
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The 7-tone scales are analogous to the traditional Greek modes, whose
6-20. Simple complexes of the prime and inverted
forms ofArchytas’s enharmonic, in ratios and cents.
Two versions of the Y-hypodorian mode are shown
to illustrate the effect of reversing the placement of
the prime and invertedforms. The two scales are
not modes ofeach other.
names are appropriated with a prefixed W (for pseudo) to indicate their
relationship to the prototypes. Although these 7-tone scales were produced
by pairing a tetrachord with its inversion, in principle any two dissimilar
permutations would yield a heptatonic scale. This degree of flexibility is not
true of the 6- and 8-tone types for which the pairing of prime and inverted
forms is mandatory.
I, TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 4, 6 TONES, A HEXANY
1/1 28/27 16/15 35/27 4/3 112/81 2/1
o 63 112 449 498 561 1200
9. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY I/1, 6 TONES, A HEXANY
1/1 28/27 16/15 5/4 9/7 4/3 2/1
© 63 112 386 435 498 1200
2, TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY #, 6 TONES, A HEXANY
10. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 4/35, 8 TONES, AN
OCTONY
1/1 28/27 16/15 5/4 4/3 25/16 45/28 5/3 2/1
o 63 112 386 498 773 821 884 1200
1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3 48/35 64/45 2/1
0 63 112 498 547 610 1200
3. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 4/3, 7 TONES, W-MIXOLYDIAN
1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3 5/3 12/7 16/9 2/1
o 63 112 498 884 933 996 1200
4. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 3/2, 7 TONES, W-DORIAN
1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3 3/2 15/8 27/14 2/1
o 63 112 498 702 1088 1137 1200
12, TETRACHORDAL HEXANY, 6 TONES, A-MODE
5. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 2/b, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 28/27 16/15 75/64 135/112 5/4 4/3 15/8 2/1
063 112 275 323 386 498 1088 1100
6. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 2/4, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 28/27 16/15 135/112 243/196 9/7 4/3 27/14 2/1
o 63 112 323 372 435 498 1137 1200
7. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 9/8 & 3/2, 7 TONES,
W-HYPODORIAN I
1/1 9/8 45/32 81/56 3/2 14/9 8/5 2/1
0 204 590 639 702 765 814 1200
8. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 9/8 & 3/2, 7 TONES,
W-HYPODORIAN 2
1/1 9/8 7/6 6/5 3/2 15/8 27/14 2/1
0 204 267 316 702 1088 1137 1200
IIS
II. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 4/34, 8 TONES, AN
OCTONY
1/1 28/27 16/15 9/7 4/3 45/28 81/49 12/7 2/1
o 63 112 435 498 821 870 933 1200
1/1 36/35 16/15 9/7 4/3 48/35 2/1
O 49 112 435 498 547 1200
13. EULER'S GENUS MUSICUM, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 28/27 16/15 448/405 4/3 112/81 64/45 1792/1215 2/1
o 63 112 175 498 561 610 673 1200
14. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY b/a, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 36/35 28/27 16/15 9/7 324/245 4/3 48/35 2/1
0 49 63 112 435 484 498 561 1200
15. TRANSPOSITION AND INVERSION BY 4/b, 8 TONES, AN OCTONY
1/1 28/27 16/15 175/144 5/4 35/27 4/3 35/18 2/1
o 63 112 338 386 449 498 1151 1200
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 123
View in PDF(opens in a new window)6-21. Ther 3 5 7 tetradic hexany. Thefactor 1 may
be omittedfrom the three tones which contain it. This
diagram was invented by Ervin Wilson and represents the six tones ofthe bexany mapped over the six
vertices ofthe regular octabedron (Wilson 1989).
Each triangularface is an essential consonant chord
ofthe hexany harmontic system and every pair of
tones separated by a principal diagonal is a dissonance. The keynote is 3.5.
Tetrachordal hexanies
‘The 6-tone complexes are of greater theoretical interest than either the
seven or 8-tone scales. Because of their quasi-symmetrical melodic structure, which is a circular permutation of the interval sequence c ba è cd (a,
b, c, and d not necessarily different intervals), they are members of a class
of scales discovered by Ervin Wilson and termed combination product sets
(Wilson 1989; Chalmers and Wilson 1982; Wilson, personal communication). The same structure results if interval 4 is replaced with interval d and
intervals b and care exchanged. A combination product set of six tones is
called a hexany by Wilson.
The notes of the hexany are the melodic expansion of the intervals of a
I+3
3°5
generating tetrad or tetrachord. They are obtained by forming the six
binary products of the four elements of the generator. If these four elements are labelled x, y, z, and w, the resulting notes are x - y, x: 2,7 + W, y+ 2,
y-w, and w :z. In the case where the generator is the dominant seventh
tetrad, 1/1 5/4 3/2 7/4, written in factor form as 1 3 5 7, the resulting hexany
is that of 6-21, where it has been mapped over the vertices of a regular
octahedron. This diagram has been named a “hexagram” by Wilson.
1:7
3°7
reg
NOTES AND INTERVALS OF HEXANY
1/1
7/6
7/6
c
8/7
b
a
7/5
21/20
a
8/5
8/7
b
28/15
7/6
£
15/14
d
6-22. Consonant chords of the 1 3 5 7 hexany,
2/1
It is convenient to choose one of these tones and transpose the scale so
that it starts on this note. The note 3 - 5 has been selected in 6-21. This note,
however, should not be considered as the tonic of the scale; the combination
product sets are harmonically symmetrical, polytonal sets with virtual or
implicit tonics which are not tones of the scale. Although the hexany is
partitionable into a set of rooted triads (see below), the global 1/1 for the
whole set is not a note of the scale. In this sense, combination product sets
are a type of atonal or non-centric musical structure in just intonation.
The four elements of the generator are related to the melodic intervals
asx=1/1,y=b,z=bh-c,andw=a-b?. c, although the actual tones may have to
be transposed or circularly permuted to make this relationship clearer.
CHORD
HARMONIC
SUBHARMONIC
135
137
157
357
17
15
13
13
35 1-5 13
37 1713
5717 15
57 37 35
116
CHAPTER 6
37
35
35
15
57
Page 124
View in PDF(opens in a new window)6-23. The tetrachordal bexany. Based on the
generating tetrad 1/1 a b 4/3. After transposition
by a, it is equivalent to complex 12 of 6-19 and
6-20.
1-44
The six tones of the hexany may be partitioned into four sets of three
tones and their inversions. In the hexagram or octahedral representation,
the 3-tone sets appear as triangular faces or facets. The triads of 6-21 are
tabulated in 6-22. These chords are the essential consonant chords of the
hexany, and all chords containing pairs of tones separated by diagonals are
considered dissonant.
Armed with thís background, one can now proceed to the generation of
hexanies from tetrachords. Starting with the tetrachord 1/1 a b 4/3 (the
generator of complex 12 in 6-19), the generative process and the relationships between the notes may be seen in 6-23. Archytas’s enharmonic
(1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3; 28/27 36/35 5/4; a= 28/27, b = 16/15) is the specific
generator (see also 6-20, complex 12). This hexany has been transposed so
that the starting note 1-4 is 1/1.
Tetrachordal hexanies are melodic developments of the basic intervals
4413
4- biz
a:b
tetrachord. Since this is basically a melodic development, the faces will be
referred to as essential subsets rather than consonant chords, (For the same
NOTES AND INTERVALS OF HEXANY
1/1
bla
b
1/1 36/35 16/15
ala
9/7
rather than harmonic expansions of tetrads. The triangular faces of tetrachordal hexanies are 2-interval subsets of the three intervals of the original
4h
4/3
ab/za
48/35
2/1
2/1
36/35 28/27 135/112 28/27 36/35 35/24
€
b
4
b
c
d
reason, the terms harmonic and subharmonic are replaced by prime and inverted.) These hexanies may be partitioned into essential subsets as shown
in 6-24.
The generator of complex 1 of 6-19 and 6-20 (inversion and transposition by 4) is the permuted tetrachord 1/1 b/a b 4/3 (1/1 36/35 16/15
4/3; 36/35 « 28/27 : 5/4; a = 36/35, b = 16/15). The generators of complexes
zand g are 1/1 b/ab 4b/3a (1/1 36/35 16/15 48/35; 36/35 + 28/27 « 9/7) and
6-24. Essential subsets ofthe hexamies based on the
tetrachords 1/1 a b 4/3 and 1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3
(Archytas’s enbarmonic). For the sake ofclarity,
thefactor 1 (1/1) bas been omittedfrom 1-a, 1-b,
and 1-4/3. The + signs are also deleted. Both
bexanies are given in their untransposed forms.
SUBSET
rab
1/1 0443
1/1 b 4/3
ab 453
PRIME
4/3 44/3 4b/3
b ab 45/3
a ab 44/3
a b 483
INVERTED
abba
44/3 4/3 a
43/3 4/3 b
41/3 44/3 ab
1/1 28/27 16/15
1/1 28/27 4/3
1/1 16/15 4/3
28/27 16/15 4/3
4/3 112/81 64/45
448/405 16/15 28/27
112/81 4/3 28/27
64/45 4/3 16/15
64/45 112/81 448/405
IIY
16/15 448/405 64/45
28/27 448/405 112/81
28/27 16/15 4/3
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 125
View in PDF(opens in a new window)6-25. Ther 3 5 7 tetradic octony. This structure is
also an Euler's genus (Fokker 1966; Euler 1739).
1/1 b/a b 4/34 (1/1 36/35 16/15 9/7; 36/35 - 28/27 - 135/112) respectively. In
these hexanies, the tetrachordal generators are bounded by augmented and
diminished fourths rather than 4/3’s, but the subset relations are analogous
to those with perfect fourths.
Tetrachordal Euler genera
The 8-tone complexes represent a different type of scale which may be
57
3°5
called an interval symmetric set (Chalmers and Wilson 1982; Chalmers
1983). These scales have the melodic sequence de ba bc d e which is homologous to the ¢ è 4 è c d sequence of the hexany. However, these 8-tone
scales lack some of the harmonic and structural symmetries that characterize the combination product sets.
Wilson has pointed out that these sets are members of a large class of
scales invented by Leonhard Euler in the eighteenth century and publicized by A. D. Fokker (Wilson, personal communication). While they
have been given the generic name of octony in analogy with the hexany
1.7
and other combination product sets, the terms Euler genus or EulerFokker genus would seem to have priority as collective names (Fokker
1/1
1966; Rasch 1987).
The generation of an octony from the 1 3 5 7 tetrad is shown in 6-25. In
this representation, the eight tones have been mapped over the vertices of
a cube. This diagram may be called an “octagram.” The octony may also
6-26. Essential chords of the 1 3 5 7 tetradic
octony.
CHORD
FACE
VERTEX
PRIME
1/1 1-3 135 3-7
1/1 1-5 16 3:5
1/1 1:7 15 5-7
V1l3 15107
1-7 57 1/1 37
1-5 1/1 5735
1:3 3:5 3:7 1/1
DIAGONAL I/I 5:7 3:5 3-7
INVERTED
371535357
175737357
1:3 3:7 35 357
357353757
151335357
371317357
571715357
357151317
be partitioned into inversionally paired subsets, but the chords are generally more complex than those of hexanies derived from the same generator
(6-26). Chords considered as the essential consonances of a harmonic
system based on the octony appear not only as faces (face chords), but also
as vertices with their three nearest neighbors connected by edges (vertex
chords) or by face diagonals (vertex-diagonal chords) (Chalmers 1983).
Essential dissonances are any chords containing a pair of tones separated
by a principal diagonal of the cube.
With the exception of the generator itself and its inversion, each of the
4-note chords consists of the union of a harmonic and subharmonic triad
of the form 1/1 x y and x y x-y. An analogous chord in traditional theory is
the major triad with the major seventh added, 1/1 5/4 3/2 15/8, which could
be construed as a major triad on 1/1 fused with a minor triad on 5/4.
As in the case of the hexany, octonies may be constructed from tetrachords and their inversions (6-27). The clearest example is complex 13 of
CHAPTER 6
Page 126
View in PDF(opens in a new window)6-18 which is generated by the tetrachord 1/1 a è 4/3. Its subset structure
6-27. The tetrachordal octony. This 8-tone Euler
genus is generatedfrom the generalized tetrachord
ala a b 4/3.
is shown in 6-28. The generating tetrachord and its inversion appear as face
chords. The other chords are more complex intervallic sets. Like the
hexany above, the octony should be viewed as a melodic rather than a
harmonic development of the tetrachord.
The other 8-tone complexes of 6-19 are also octonies. The complexes
generated from Archytas’s enharmonic genus are listed in 6-20.
qb/3
4/3
Tetrachordal diamonds
aab/3
The next group of non-traditional tetrachordal scales is even more complex
than the previous constructions. The first of these are based on the Partch
diamond (Partch [1949] 1974) which is an interlocking matrix of harmonic
NOTE AND INTERVALS OF OCTONY
ı/ı
ab
1/1
1/1
a
28/27
b
ab
4/3
16/15 448/405 4/3
4433
112/81
4b/3
64/45
44b/3
1792/1215
2/1
24
28/27 + 36/35 28/27: 135/112 + 28/27 > 36/35 + 28/27 + 1215/896
d
6
b
a
b
c
d
e
6-28. Essential subsets ofthe tetrachordal octonies
1/1 ab4/3 and 1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3 (Archytas’s
enharmonic). The term essential subset rather
SUBSET
PRIME
INVERTED
FACE
1/1 4/3 4aha
1/1 4/3 46/36
gab/3 ab b 4b/;
4ab/3 ab a 44/3
w/t 4 b ab
4ab/3 4bl3 gals 4/3
1/1 4 b 4/3
4/3 1/1 44/3
42/3 a 4/3
46/3 4/3 b
1/1 40/3 44/3 ab
446/3 4b/y 40/3 ab
4b/3 ab qab/z ba
qablzb 4b/3 ab 1/1
qablza ab qal3 1/1
qab/3 ab 4/3
1/1 4/3 112/81 28/27
1/1 4/3 64/45 16/15
1/1 28/27 16/15 448/405
t/t 28/27 16/15 4/3
4/3 1/1 112/81 64/45
112/81 28/27 4/3 16/15
64/45 4/3 16/15 28/27
1/1 64/45 112/81 448/405
1792/1215 448/405 16/15 64/45
1792/1215 448/405 28/27 112/81
1792/1215 64/45 112/81 4/3
1792/1215 64/45 112/81 448/405
448/405 1792/1215 16/15 28/27
64/45 448/405 1/1 1792/1215
448/405 112/81 1/1 1792/1215
1792/1215 28/27 16/15 4/3
VERTEX
than consonant chord és employed as the
tetrachordal octony isprimarily a melodic structure.
DIAGONAL
FACE
VERTEX
DIAGONAL
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 127
View in PDF(opens in a new window)chords built on roots that are the elements of the corresponding subharmonic ones. An example of what is called a 5-/it diamond may be seen
in 6-30. This example has been constructed from harmonic 1 3 5; major
triads and subharmonic 1 3 5; or minor triads, The structure is referred to
as having a 5-limit because the largest prime number appearing among its
ratios is five. Diamonds, however, may be constructed from any chord or
scale of any cardinality, magnitude, or limit.
The simplest of the tetrachordal diamonds consists of ascending tetrachords erected on the notes of their inversions. Either the octave or the
4/3 (numbers 1 and 2 of 6-29) may be used as the interval of identity in the
diamond. In the latter case, the resulting structure is one of the rare examples of musical scales in which the octave is not the interval of
equivalence,
The second group of diamond-like complexes employs entire heptatonic
scales in place of triads or tetrachords as structural elements. Four examples
are given, all derived from scales of the Dorian or Y-Dorian type in which.
prime or inverted tetrachords appear in either or both positions relative to
the central disjunctive tone (6-29, numbers 2, 4, 5; and 6-34). The primeprime and inverted-inverted diamonds have prime or inverted tetrachords
in both halves of the generating scales. Because of the inversional symmetry
6-29. Tetrachordal diamonds. The
octave modular tetrachordal diarnond in
I, THIRTEEN TONE OCTAVE MODULAR DIAMOND
1/1 bla a b4/3b 4134 4h; 3/2 30/2 34/2 2/b ala a/b 2/1
Archytas's enharmonic tuning is shown
2. EIGHT TONE FOURTH MODULAR DIAMOND
1/1 a b 4/3b 4/3a galzb 4/3 45534
in 6-33.
3. PRIME-PRIME AND INVERTED-INVERTED HEPTATONIC DIAMONDS, 27 TONES
t/t b/a a 8 9/8 04/8 ob/8 4/36 4/34 qal3b 4/3 4b/30 galy 3/26 4b/3 3/20 zalab 3/2 36/24 34/2
30/2 16/9b 16/94 16/0 2/b 2/a a/b 2/1
4. PRIME-INVERTED HEPTATONIC DIAMOND, 25 TONES
1/1 bla aba? ab 9/8 b? 4/3b 4/3a 4/3 gals 3/2b 4bl33/2a 3/2 3a/2 36/2 2/b? 16/9 2/ab 2/a? 2/b
2/a a/b 2/1
5. INVERTED-PRIME HEPTATONIC DIAMOND, 25 TONES
1/1 b/a a b 9/8 94/8 9b/8 94°/8 gab/8 4/3b ob*/8 4/344/3 3/2 34/2 16/962 35/2 16/gab 16/ga?
16/9b 16/94 16/92/b 2/a a/b 2/1
CHAPTER 6
Page 128
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Partch diamond, after “The Incipient Five-limit
Tonality Diamond”
(Partch [1949] 1974,
6 "32. Thiirteen-tone
110). Based on the 13 5 major triad 1/1 5/4 3/2 and
its inversion, the subbarmonic 1 3 5 minor triad 2/1
di
octave modular tetrachordal
|
8/5 4/3.
6-31. Eight tonefourth modular diamond, Based on
6-33. Thirteen-tone octave modular tetrachordal
the tetrachord 1/1 ab 4/3, with 4/3 as the interval
diamond based on Archytas’s enharmonic genus.
ofequivalence.
D
È
E>
Se
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 129
View in PDF(opens in a new window)of the diamond, both scales are identical. The prime-inverted and inverted-prime diamonds are constructed from the corresponding tetrachordal forms and are non-equivalent scales, as in general, tetrachords are
not inversionally symmetrical intervallic sequences. 6-35 and 6-36 show
examples of these diamonds based on Archytas’s enharmonic genus and its
inversion.
6-34. Tetrachordal beptatonic diamonds. These
tables may be rotated 45 degrees clockwise to bring
Stellated tetrachordal hexanies
the diagonal of 2/1 's into vertical position and compared tofigures 6-30-33. The scale derivedfrom the
primeform ofthe tetrachord is seen in the rightmost
column and its inversion in the bottom row.
The last of the non-traditional tetrachordal complexes to be discussed are
two examples of stellated hexanies. Hexanies may bestellated by adding the
eight tones which complete the partial tetrad or tetrachord on each face
(Wilson 1989; Chalmers and Wilson 1982). The result is a complex of four
PRIME-INVERTED
PRIME-PRIME
2/1
bla
bo
gh/8
3/2
3b/2a
3b/2
2/1
bla
4/34 3/24
z/ab
ılar
21/4
alb
2/17
a
94/8 zahb
3/2
34/2
a/b
2/1
4/35 3/2b
z2/b2
z2/ab
2/b
a/b
la
2/1
9/8
yhb
3/18
3/2
34/2
3bla
2/1
9/8
3/2b
3/2a
3/2
16/9b 16/94 16/9
2/1
4b
ala
4h
42/3
ab
16/9
2/1
4/36
4/34
4h
4/3
aba 453
3b/2
2/1
bla
b
ab
ba
ab
3b/2
2/1
bla
b
qalzb
4/3
gab
34/2
afb
21/1
a
a2
ab
4a/3
3al2
afb
2/1
4
4/3b
ala
4/3
3/2
zb
2/a
t/t
4
b
4/3
3/2
z2/b
ala
1
INVERTED-INVERTED
INVERTED-PRIME
2/1
bla
alzb 3/2a
3/2
3b/2a
21/4
2/1
bla
b
95/8 gab/B 9b2/8 3b/2
alb
2/1
4/3b 3/26
zahb
3/2
a/b
alb
2/1
a
94/8 ga2/8gab/8 34/2
34/2
3b/2
2/1
9/8
galb € ghia
3/2
2/b
la
2/1
9/8
94/8 06/8
3/2
44/3
ab
16/9
2/1
a
b
44
16/9b
16/ga
16/9
2/1
a
b
4h
4/5
gba 16/ga 2a
2/1
bla
4/3a
16/gab 16/0942 16/94
2/4
2/1
ba
4/34
qalzb
4/3
16/06 2/b
atb
alı
4/3b
16/9h2 16/gab 16/9h
z2/b
alb
2/1
4/3b
4
b
4/3
gala
3bla
vi
4/3b
3/2
34/2 3bla
1/1
3/2
122
CHAPTER 6
Page 130
View in PDF(opens in a new window)prime and four inverted tetrachords with a total of fourteen tones, though
certain genera may produce degenerate complexes with fewer than 14 different notes. Wilson has variously termed these structures “mandalas” from
their appearance in certain projections, and “tetradekanies” or “dekatesseranies” from their fourteen tones. Their topology is that of Kepler's
stella octangula, an 8-pointed star-polyhedron (Coxeter 1973; Cundy and
Rollett 1961).
The prime form of the tetrachord 1/1 4 b 4/3 generates the hexany tones
a, b, 4/3, 44/3, 4b/3 and ab (a = 1/1-a or 1-4, etc.). This hexany is equivalent
6-35. Tetrachordal diamonds based on Archytas's enharmonic, in ratios and cents.
1/1
le)
13-TONE OCTAVE MODULAR DIAMOND
14/9
3/2
4/3
9/7
765
702
498
435
5/4
386
16/15
112
28/27
63
36/35
49
35/18
1151
27/14
1137
15/8
1088
8/5
814
2/1
1200
8-TONE TETRACHORD MODULAR DIAMOND
1/1
28/27
16/15
o
63
112
5/4
9/7
35/27
4/3
48/35
386
435
449
498
547
=
PRIME-PRIME AND INVERTED-INVERTED HEPTATONIG DIAMONDS, 27 TONES
r/ı
28/27
36/35
o
49
63
45/32
590
64/45
610
81/56
639
1/1
(e)
36/35
49
28/27
63
45/32
590
64/45
610
81/56
639
36/35
1/1
(e)
49
9/7
435
4/3
498
3/2
702
4/3
48/35
112/81
449
498
547
561
9/8
7/6
6/5
112
204
267
316
386
435
5/3
884
12/7
0933
Wo
765
54/35
751
3/2
702
8/5
814
16/9
996
PRIME-INVERTED HEPTATONIC DIAMOND, 25 TONES
256/225
9/8
448/405
784/729
223
204
175
126
16/15
112
14/9
765
8/5
814
225/128
977
16/9
996
405/224
1025
729/392
1074
INVERTED-PRIME HEPTATONIC DIAMOND, 25 TONES
98/81
6/5
7/6
9/8
16/15
330
316
267
204
112
28/27
63
14/9
765
35/27
16/15
35/24
653
3/2
702
9/7
5/4
25/16
773
8/5
814
45/28
821
123
81/49
870
5/3
884
12/7
933
15/8
996
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
27/14
1137
15/8
1088
4/3
498
9/7
435
5/4
386
15/8
1088
27/14
1137
35/18
IISI
35/18
1137
2/1
1200
112/81
561
2/1
1200
32/25
427
5/4
386
56/45
379
27/14
1088
35/18
IISI
2/1
IIsI
Page 131
View in PDF(opens in a new window)6-36. Tetrachordal heptatonic diamonds based on Archytas’s enbarmonic. The
generating tetrachords are 1/1 5/4 9/7 4/3 and 1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3.
PRIME-INVERTED
PRIME~PRIME
2/t
3645
16/15
6/5
3/2
54/35
B/5
2/1
36/35
9/7
81/56
405/224 729/392 27/14
35/18
2/1
28/27
7/6
35/24
3/2
14/9
35/18
2/1
5/4
45/42
225/128 gos/224
15/8
15/8
27/14
2/1
9/8
45/32
81/56
3/2
14/9
8/5
2/1
9/8
45/32
81/56
3/2
54
12/7
16/9
2/1
5/4
9/7
4
112/81
64/45
16/9
2/1
5/4
9/7
4/3
4h
4835
64/45
8/5
2/1
36/35
16/15
448/405 256/225
64/45
8/5
2/1
36/35
16/15
35/27
4h
112/81
14/9
35/18
2/1
28/27
784/729 448/405 112/81
14/9
35/18
2/1
28/27
5/4
9/7
4/3
3/2
15/8
27/14
1/1
28/27
3/2
15/8
27/14
1/1
16/15
43
INVERTED-INVERTED
INVERTED-PRIME
2/1
36/35
9/7
81/56
3/2
54/35
27/14
2/1
36/35
16/5
6/5
56/45
32/25
8/5
35/18
2h
5/4
45/32
35/24
3/2
15/8
35/18
2/1
28/27
7/6
98/81
56/45
14/9
14/9
8/5
2/1
9/8
7/6
6/5
3/2
15/8
27/14
2/1
9/8
7/6
6/5
3/2
112/81
64/45
16/9
2/1
28/27
16/5
4/3
54
12/9
16/9
2/1
28/27
16/15
4/3
4/3
48/35
12/7
27/14
2/1
36/35
9/7
45/28
81/49
12/7
27/14
2/1
36/35
9/7
35/17
4h
5/3
15/8
35/18
2/1
5/4
25/16
45/28
5/3
15/8
35/18
2/1
5/4
28/27
16/5
43
3/2
14/9
8/5
1/1
5/4
9/7
4/3
3/2
14/9
8/5
1/1
6-37. Stellated bexanies generated by the prime tetrachord 1/1 ab 4/3. The bexany notes are a, b, 4/3, ab, 4a/3, and #b/3. The
8 extra notes are (1/1)2=1/1, a, bf, 16/9, 3ab/2, gab/3, 4a/3b, and 4b/3a. The second stellated bexany is based on number 1 of
figure 6-29. Instances ofeach are based on Archytas’s enharmonic. The first is generated by prime tetrachord 1/1 28/27 16/15
4/3. The bexany notes are 28/27, 16/15, 4/3, 448/405, 112/81, and 64/45. The second is based on (1) of 6-20.
FIRST STELLATED TETRACHORDAL HEXANY
be
gal3b 4/3 qb/3a
3ab/2
16/9 2/1
44/3 45/3 4ab/3
1 28/27 16/15 784/729 448/405 256/225 35/27 4/3 48/35 112/81 64/45 1792/1215 224/135 16/9 2/1
63
112
126
175
223
561
610
673
877
996 1200
449 498 547
~
1/1
I
4
b
al
ab
SECOND STELLATED TETRACHORDAL HEXANY
I
+
~~
1/1
b/a
ba?
b
bè/a
be
4/34 4/3 4blza
ga
36/35 1296/1225 16/15 192/175 256/225 0/7 4/3 48/35 112/81
98
II2
161
223 435 498 547
561
49
124
CHAPTER 6
qblz q4blza 3b/2a 16/9 2/1
64/45
610
256/175 288/175 16/9 2/1
Page 132
View in PDF(opens in a new window)to complex 12 of 6-19 when transposed so as to begin on the tone a. The
stellated form of this hexany is the first of 6-37, while complex 1 of 6-19
yields the second of 6-37. The eight supplementary tones of the first stel-
6-38. (a) Essential tetrachords of the first stellated
hexany. For the sake of clarity, the factor 1 (1/1)
bas been omitted from 1 <a, 1-b, 1 + 4/3, etc. The
- signs are also deleted, The boldfaced notes in each
lated hexany are 1/1, 42, b?, 16/9, 44/3b, 4ab/3, zab/2, and 45/34. These notes
may be deduced by inspection of 6-23, the tetrachordal hexany. The first
four extra notes are the squares of the elements of the generator, 1/1, 42, b?,
and 16/9 (x?, y?, 22, and w?) from 1/1 4 band 4/3. The remaining four notes
chord are the starting notes of the prime and
inverted tetrachords, 1/1 a b 4/3 and 4/3 4/3a
are the mixed product-quotients needed by the subharmonic faces. These
have the form x-y-z/w (3ab/2), x-y-w/z (44/36), x-2-w/y (4b/3a), and y-z-w/x
(4ab/3). Two stellated hexanies based on Archytas’s enharmonic are shown
in 6-37.
The notes of the second type of stellated hexany of 6-30 are derived
analogously by replacing 4 in the prime tetrachord with 2/4. The tetrachord 1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3 in the first type is thus replaced by 1/1 36/35
16/15 4/3.
The essential tetrachords of the first stellated hexany are seen in 6-38,
and those of the second may be found by analogy. The component tetra-
4/3b 1/1.
PRIME
w/t
4
È
INVERTED
4h
4/3 44/3 4b/3 16/9
4/3
ab
b
ab br 4
40/3 4/3 gab
a
a
rr
4
a
4bl3 ablza 4/3
40b/3 4b/3 4al3
b
ab
ab 44/3
b ab
aa ab
1/1
b
a 3ab/2
chords of the first stellated hexany derived from Archytas’s enharmonic are
listed in 6-39. Those of the second kind may be derived by replacing the
28/27 of the first tetrachord with 36/35. The other tetrachordal hexanies
of 6-18 also generate stellated hexanies, but their tetrachords are bounded
by intervals other than 4/3.
6-39. Essential tetrachords ofthe 1/1 28/27 16/15
4/3 stellated hexany.
1/1
4/3
16/15
PRIME
16/15
28/27
64/45
112/81
448/405 256/225
4/3
16/9
64/45
4/3
448/405
112/81
INVERTED
5/4
9/7
28/27
16/15
35/27
4/3
28/27
784/729 448/405
112/81
64/45
48/35
4/3
16/15
1/1
28/27
16/5
43
1792/1215
64/45
112/81
448/405
125
v/ı
SCALES, MODES, AND SYSTEMS
Page 133
View in PDF(opens in a new window)7 Harmonization of tetrachordal scales
SCALES BASED ON tetrachords are found in the musics of a large part of the
world. Although much of this music is primarily melodic and heterophonic,
this is due neither to the intrinsic nature of tetrachords nor to the scales
derived from them. Rather, it is a matter of style and tradition. Many, if not
most, tetrachordal scales have harmonic implications even if these implications are contrary to the familiar rules of European tonal harmony.
The melodies of the ancient Greeks were accompanied by more or less
independent voices, but polyphony and harmony in their traditional senses
appear to have been absent. “A feeling for the triad,” however, does appear
in the later Greek musical fragments, but this may be a modern and not
ancient perception (Winnington-Ingram 1936).
The scales of North Indian music are also based on tetrachords (Sachs
1943; Wilson 1986a, 1987). In this music, drones emphasizing the tonic
and usually the dominant of the scale are essential elements of performance. Their function may be to fix the tonic so that ambiguous intervals are not exposed (chapter 5 and Rothenberg 1969, 1978).
Islamic music of the period of the great medieval theorists Al-Farabi,
Safiyu-d-Din, and Avicenna (Ibn Sina) was likewise heterophonic rather
than harmonic (Sachs 1943; D’Erlanger 1930, 1935, 1938). In recent times,
however, some Islamic groups have adopted certain elements of tonal
harmony into their music.
Harmonizing tetrachordal scales
Many tetrachordal scales are nevertheless suitable for harmonic music. The
HARMONIZATION OF TETRACHORDAL SCALES
Page 134
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Lydian mode of Ptolemy’s intense diatonic genus is the just intonation of
the major mode. The diatonic Arabo-Persian scale bbidjazi, is more con7-1. Endogenous harmonization of tetrachordal
scales. The addition of the subtonic 9/8 below 1/1 to
the enharmonic and chromatic genera where it was
called byperbypate is attested both theoretically and
musically (Winnington-Ingram 1936, 25). The
dotted lines indicate the lower octave ofthe
dominant of the triads on 4/3.
(8/9) 1/1 a ab 4/3 3/2 34/1 zablı 2/1 (9/4)
sonant than the 12-tone equal-tempered tuning of the major scale
(Helmholtz [1877] 1954).
Harry Partch pointed out that many of the other tetrachordal genera
also have harmonic implications which may be exploited in the context of
extended just intonation (Partch [1949] 1974). As an example, he offered
Wilfrid Perrett's harmonization of a version of the enharmonic tetrachord.
Partch added a repeat to Perrett’s progression and transposed it into his
43-tone scale (Partch [1949] 1974; Perrett 1926).
Partch also challenged his readers to limit themselves to the notes of the
scale. 7-1 depicts the triadic resources of a generalized tetrachordal scale in
which both tetrachords are identical. The dark lines delimit triads which
are available in all genera while the light ones indicate chords which may
or may not be consonant in certain genera.
The three sub-intervals of the tetrachord are denoted as a, b, and 4/3ab,
resulting in the tones, 1/1, a, ab, and 4/3, duplicated on the 3/2. Because
there is both musical and literary evidence for the customary addition of the
7-2. Endogenous harmonization ofArchytas's
enharmonic.
(8/9) 1/1 28/27 16/15 4/3 3/2 14/0 8/5 2/1
note hyperhypate a 9/8 whole tone below the tonic in the enharmonic and
chromatic genera (Winnington-Ingram 1936, 25), it has been included.
The inversion of this interval has also been added to allow the construction
of a consonant dominant triad in some genera or permutations.
The types of these triads depend upon the tuning of the tetrachord. In
Archytas’s enharmonic genus, the triads on 4/3 and 8/9 will be septimal
minor, 6:7:9. The triad on 4 (28/27) is the septimal major triad, 14:18:21.
The triad on ab (16/15) is a major triad, 4:5:6, and the alternative triads on
4/3 and 8/9, are minor, 10:12:15, The tonal center appears not to be the
1/1, but rather the 4/3 or mese. These chords are shown in 7-2.
The tonal functions of these triads are determined by the mode or circular permutation of the scale. The Lydian or C mode of Ptolemy’s intense
diatonic, in its normal form, 16/15 : 9/8 : 10/0, is the familiar major mode
with 4:5:6 triads on 1/1, 4/3, and 3/2. The reverse arrangement of this
tetrachord, 10/9 : 9/8 : 16/15, generates the natural minor mode with
10:12:15 or subharmonic 4:5:6 triads on these degrees. This scale is not
identical to the Hypodorian or A mode of the first scale because that scale
has a 27/20 rather than a 4/3 as its fourth degree. The chordal matrices and
tetrachordal forms of these scales are shown in 7-3.
CHAPTER 7
Page 135
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The seven modes or octave species of the reversed tetrachord scale are
the exact inversions of those of the major scale above. The C mode of this
7-3. The 4:5:6 triad and its derived tritriadic scale.
scale is the diatonic scale of John Redfield (1928, 191-197). Redfield as-
The tritriadic or matrixform is the C or Lydian
mode ofthe tetrachordal scale. The tonic ofthe triad
signed Hebraic names to these modes and termed the triads with the
comma-enlarged fifth “Doric.”
is denoted t or 1/1, the third or mediant, m and the
Sift or dominant, d. The tetrachordalform is the E
or Dorian mode ofthe tritriadic scale.
The mode that is the inversion of the major scale may be harmonized
SUBDOMINANT 4/3 5/3 2/1
TONIG
1/1 5/4 3/2
2/d m/d 2/1
1/1 md
DOMINANT
ddmd
3/2 15/8 9/8
with three triads built downwards from 2/1, 3/2, and 4/3. An otherwise
obscure composer named Blainville wrote a short symphony in this scale
and was ridiculed by Rousseau for doing so (Perrett 1931; Partch [1949]
1974). This kind of inverted harmony was called the phonic system by the
nineteenth and early twentieth century theorist von Ottingen (Helmholtz
[1877] 1954; Mandelbaum 1961) in contrast to the traditional tonic
w/t 9/8 5/4 4/3 3/2 56/3 15/8 2/1
9/8 - 10/9 - 16/15 - 9/8 - 10/9 : 9/8 : 16/15
system.
THE TETRACHORDAL FORM
1/3 16/15 6/5 4/3 3/2 Ba 9/5 2/1
16/15 : 9/8: 10/9 - 9/8 - 16/15 : 9/8. 10/9
Tritriadic scales
The scales derived from tetrachords with 9/8 as their second interval may
(16/15 + 9/8 : 10/9)
roots 1/1, 4/3, and 3/2. They are harmonizable with analogs of the familiar
THE 10:12:15 TRIAD & ITS DERIVED TRITRIADIC
SCALE
SUBDOMINANT 4/3 8/5 2/1
TONIC
t/t 6/5 3/2
2/d mid 2/1
1/1 md
DOMINANT
d dm d?
1/1
9/8
3/2 9/5 9/8
6/5
4/3
3/2
8/5
o/5
2/1
9/8. 16/15 - 10/9 - 9/8 - 16/15 : 9/8- 10/9
THE TETRACHORDAL FORM
1/1 10/9 5/4 4/3 3/2 5/3 15/8 2/1
10/9 : 9/8 . 16/15 + 9/8 » 10/9 - 9/8 + 16/5
(10/9 : 9/8 - 16/15)
be called tritriadics because they may be divided into three triads on the
1 Iv (1) v1 and 1 rv (vu) m vi (1) v 1 progressions (Chalmers 1979, 1986,
1987, 1988).
In general, however, the vu and chords will be out of tune (Lewin
1982) and probably should be omitted in the progressions unless extra
notes are employed. The composer Erling Wold, however, has made a case
for a more adventurous utilization of available tonal resources (Wold
1988). Partch ([1949] 1974) has done so too in a discussion of a letter from
Fox-Strangways concerning the alleged defects of just intonation and their
effect on modulation.
The three primary triads on 1/1, 4/3, and 3/2 are of the same type, but
the triads on the third (mediant) and sixth (submediant) degrees are of the
conjugate or 3/2’s complement type. For example, the primary triads of
number 1a of 7-4 are major, while the mediant and submediant triads are
minor. In number 1b, the modalities are just the reverse. In addition to the
principle triads of these scales, triads on other degrees may also be usable.
Similarly, in some tunings, seventh or other chords may be useful.
Phonic or descending harmonizations are also possible in certain modes
of tritriadic scales. Lewin, in fact, proposes what might be called both
phonic major and minor harmonizations (Lewin 1982).
HARMONIZATION OF TETRACHORDAL SCALES
Page 136
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The generalized triad is denoted as t:m:d, after Lewin (1982), where t is
the tonic, 7 the mediant, and d the dominant. In principle, any tetrachord
containing the interval 9/8 can be arranged as a tritriadic generator, but the
majority of the resulting triads will be relatively discordant. If the mediant
of a triad is denoted by m, then the tetrachord has the form 4/3m - 9/8 .
8m/9, where 4/37 - 87/9 = 32/27. The conjugate tritriadic scale is generated
by the permutation 8/9 : 9/8 4/37. The magnitude of m may range from
9/8 to 4/3 and generate a seven tone tritriadic scale, though the Rothenberg propriety (chapter 5) of the scale and the consonance of the triads
will depend of the value of #.
Triads with perfect fifths (4 = 3/2) whose mediants (m) are greater than
32/27 and less than 81/64 generate strictly proper scales (chapter 5; Rothenberg 1969, 1975, 1978; Chalmers 1975). Strictly proper scales tend to
be perceived as musical gestalts and are used in styles where motivic
transposition is an important structural element. Improper scales, on the
other hand, are usually employed as sets of principal and auxiliary or ornamental tones.
7-4. Tritriadic tetrachords. I standsfor “improper,”
and SPfor “strictly proper” (Rothenberg 1969,
1975, 1978). Injust intonation, tritriadic scales are
either strictly proper or improper.
SEES
TA.
IB.
24
2B,
3A.
58.
6a.
6B.
7A
TRIAD
4:5:6
10:12:15
6:7:9
14:18:21
18:22:27
22:27:33
26:32:39
32:39:48
22:28:33
28:33:42
10:13:15
26:30:39
22:26:33
MED.
5/4
6/5
7/6
9/7
11/9
27/22
16/13
39/32
14/11
33/28
13/10
15/13
13/11
CTS
386
316
267
435
347
355
359
342
418
284
454
248
289
TETRACHORD
16/15-9/8.10/9
10/9-9/8. 16/15
8/7. 9/8. 28/27
28/27.-9/8.8/7
12/11 - 9/8. 88/81
88/81.o/8. 12/11
13/12:-9/8-128/17
128/17-9/8 13/12
22/21-9/8- 112/99
112/99- 9/8 22/21
40/39. 9/8 - 52/45
52/45 + 9/8 - 40/39
44/39: 9/8: 104/99
75. 26:33:39 33/26 413
104/99 - 9/8 - 44/39
BA
56/51-9/8. 68/63
14:17:21
17/14
336
Only a limited number of acceptably consonant triads exist in just intonation and also generate useful tritriadic scales. The most important of
these have been tabulated in 7-4. As indicated above, triads 1a and 1b
generate the major and natural minor modes, and 2a and 2b generate the
PROPRIETY
SP
SP
I
I
SP
sp
SP
sp
I
I
1
1
I
I
sp
130
CHAPTER 7
8B. 34:42:51
DA. 16:19:24
98. 38:48:57
IOA. 64:81:96
IoB. 54:64:81
IIA. 26:34:39
IIB. 34:39:51
124, 14:16:21
12B, 16:21:24
134. 20:23:30
138. 46:60:69
IgA. 18:23:27
I4B. 46:54:69
ISA, 38:46:57
158. 46:57:69
21/17 366
19/16 298
24/19 404
81/64 408
32/27 294
17/13 464
39/34 238
8/7
231
21/16 471
23/20 242
30/23 460
23/18 424
27/23 278
23/19 331
57/46 371
68/63 + 9/8 + 56/51
64/57-9/8.19/18
19/18 - 9/8 : 64/57
256/243-9/8:9/8
9/8 - 9/8 - 256/243
52/51-9/8-136/11
136/117-9/852/51
7/6-9/8- 64/63
64/63 -9/8-7/6
80/69-9/8- 46/45
656/45:9/8.80/69
24/23: 0/8 - 92/81
92/81 - 9/8 - 24/23
184/171 9/8. 76/69
76/69: 9/8 184/171
SP
1
1
1
I
ı
1
I
I
1
1
I
Page 137
View in PDF(opens in a new window)corresponding septimal minor and septimal major scales. The septimal
7-5. Mixed tritriadic scales. The triads are 4:5:6
and 6:7:9. (Poole 1850). Mixed scales may often be
decomposed into two tetrachords
and a disjunctive
tone in more than one way. Farnsworth’s scale is a
mode ofPoole’s. It may be construed as a tonic major
triad, a dominant seventh chord, or a septimal minor
triad (6:7:9) on the supertonic (Farnsworth 1958,
1969).
POOLE’S “DOUBLE DIATONIC” OR
“DICHORDAL SCALE”
SUBDOMINANT 4/3 5/3 2/1
2/d x 2/1
TONIC
1/1 5/4 3/2
1/1md
DOMINANT
3/2 7/4 9/8
dsd?
w/t 98 5/4 4/3 3/2 5/3 7/4 2/1
9/8 . 10/9 - 16/15 : 9/8 - 10/9. 21/20. 8/7
ALTERNATE TETRACHORDAL FORM
1/1 10/9 7/6 4/3 3/2 5/3 16/9 2/1
10/9 » 21/20 : 8/7. 9/8 + 10/9+ 16/15 - 9/8
FARNSWORTH’S SCALE
SUBDOMINANT 21/1627/162/1
d-s d3 2/4
TONIC
1/1 5/4 3/2
1/1md
DOMINANT
3/2 15/8 8 21/16 ddamd?ds
1/1 9/8 5/4 21/16 3/2 27/16 15/8 2/1
9/8. 10/9 + 21/20- 8/7 - 9/8 - 10/9« 16/15
TETRACHORDAL FORM
1/1 9/8 5/4 4/3 3/2 5/3 7/4 2/1
9/8. 10/9 + 16/15 + 9/8 + 10/9 » 21/20 + 8/7
minor or subminor scale sounds rather soft and mysterious, but the septimal major is surprisingly harsh and discordant. Triads ga and gb are virtually equally tempered and sound very much like their 12-tone
counterparts, The scales based on roa and rob are the Pythagorean tunings
of the major and minor modes in which the thirds are the brilliant, if
somewhat discordant, 81/64 and 32/27.
Triads with undecimal, tridecimal, and septendecimal thirds (numbers 3a8b of 7-4) are less consonant than those discussed above. However, these
triads are still relatively smooth and may be useful in certain contexts.
Their tetrachords are also interesting melodically as they approximate
certain medieval Islamic and neo-Aristoxenian genera (chapter 4). The
tetrachords generated by the even less harmonious triads 24:31:36,
64:75:96, 34:40:51, 30:38:45, and 24:29:36 and their conjugates will be
found in the Main Catalog.
Scales with mixed triads
Tritriadic scales may also be constructed from triads with different mediants, provided that d remains 3/2. An example where the tonic and subdominant triads are 4:5:6 and the dominant triad is 6:7:9 is shown in 7-5
(Helmholtz [1877] 1954, 474). The tetrachordal structure may be described as 9/8 - 8/9 - 4/3m (where m is the mediant of the tonic triad) for
the lower tetrachord and 22/3 : s/x « 2/s (where x and s are the sixth and
seventh of the scale) for the upper tetrachord. However, as 7-5 indicates,
mixed tritriadics may often be divided into two tetrachords and a disjunctive tone is more than one way.
Farnsworth’s scale, also shown in 7-5, is a mode of Poole’s Double Diatonic (Farnsworth 1969). It may be construed as a major triad on 1/1, a
dominant seventh chord on 3/2, and a subminor triad (6:7:9) on 9/8.
In chapter 5, the limits on the propriety of mixed modes are discussed.
Ellis’s duodenes
Composers may find the intrinsic harmonic resources of tetrachordal
scales rather sparse, even with the addition of one or more historically
motivated supplementary tones. Two simple remedies immediately come
to mind, One is to enlarge the chain of chordal roots of tritriadic scales
to encompass four or more triads. This procedure may tend to hide the
tetrachords beneath a mass of chords, but by way of compensation,
HARMONIZATION OF TETRACHORDAL SCALES
Page 138
View in PDF(opens in a new window)more tetrachords are created. The process may be seen in 7-6. The parent
tritriadic scale contains five tetrachords, all of which are permutations of
16/15-9/8- 10/9 (112 + 204 + 182 cents). The new pentatriadic scale contains
42 tetrachords of six different genera.
The second solution is to extend both the d and m axes to generate
structures analogous to A. J. Ellis's duodenes, the twelve note “units of
modulation” in his theory of just intonation in European tonal harmony
(Helmholtz [1877] 1954). The duodene generated from the 4:5:6 triad and
some analogs generated by other triads are illustrated in 7-7. These scales
likewise consist of large numbers of tetrachords of diverse genera in a
harmonic context.
Perrett’s harmonizations
Wilfrid Perrett, an English theorist, developed some highly imaginative, if
controversial, ideas about Greek music and its early history. In Some Questions ofMusical Theory, Perrett harmonized a version of the enharmonic tetrachord (21/20 - 64/63 : 5/4) which he attributed to Tartini, but it is more
likely that Pachymeres has priority. Perrett used familiar tonic, subdominant, and dominant chord progressions by adding tones, effectively
embedding the tetrachord in a larger microchromatic gamut (Perrett 1926,
1928, 1931, 1934). It is this harmonization that Partch quoted in Genesis of
THE 4:5:6 TRIAD AND A DERIVED PENTATRIADIC SCALE
7-6. Pentatriadic scales, À pentatriadic is an expansion ofa tritriadic by the addition of the subdominant of the subdominant and the dominant of
the dominant. An alternative form has a third
dominant in place of the second subdominant and is
a mode of the scale above.
16/9 10/9 443
2/8 mid 2/d
SUBDOMINANT
TONIC
4/3 5/3 2/1
1/1 5/4 3/2
2/d mld 2/1
w/t md
DOMINANT
3/2 15/8 9/8
9/8 45/32 27/16
d dem d2
d? md? di
1/1 10/9 9/8 5/4 4/3 45/32 3/2 6/3 27/16 16/9 15/8 2/1
10/9-81/80-10/9-16/15-135/128-16/15-10/9-81/80-256/243-135/128-16/15
TETRACHORDS IN SCALE
RATIOS
1. 81/80 - 256/243 - 5/4
2. 256/243 - 135/128-6/5
3. 135/128- 16/15
- 32/27
4. 81/80 - 10/9 » 32/27
5. 16/15
- 9/8 + 10/9
6. 256/243 : 9/8. 9/8
132
CHAPTER 7
CENTS
22 + 90+ 396
90+92+316
92+112+294
22 +182 +294
II2 +204 + 182
90 + 204 + 204
NUMBER
3
3
8
Page 139
View in PDF(opens in a new window)4 Music (Partch [1949] 1974, 171). Perrett placed the tetrachord in the soprano voice and added sufficient extra tones in the lower registers to obtain
the desired chord progression. 7-8 simplifies Partch’s presentation by leaving out the repeated chords under 16/15, 21/20, and 1/1 that follow the one
under 4/3, and by transposing the pitches from 5/3 to 1/1.
Perrett also devised harmonizations for a number of other tetrachords
listed by Ptolemy. These harmonizations are shown in 7-9 where they have
been transposed to 1/1 and tabulated in a standard format.
Perrett also discovered a harmonization of Archytas’s enharmonic, 28/
27 ‘36/5 « 5/4, a much more plausible and consonant tuning than the 21/
20 : 64/63 « 5/4 he chose initially (Perrett 1928, 95). He expressed the solution in the 171-tone equal temperament and later translated it into a
7-7. Ellis’s duodenes. This table is based on Helmholtz [1877] 1954, 457-464. The axes have been reversedfrom the original in which the chain of3/2’s
was vertical, Note the interlocking prime (major)
and conjugate (minor) triads, The 4:5:6 duodene
contains sq tetrachords ofdiverse genera, 10:12:15
is a conjugate duodene which should be compared
with the one above ofwhich it is not a “mode.” It contains 48 tetrachords ofdifferent genera. 6:7:9 is a
non-tertian duodene. It contains 62 tetrachords
of
various genera,
TRADITIONAL DUODENE BASED ON THE 4:5:6 TRIAD
5/3
5/4
15/8
45/32
44
IX
3/2
9/8
16/15
8/5
6/5
9/5
DUODENE BASED ON THE 10:12:15 TRIAD
27/20
9/5
6/5
8/5
4/3
ı/ı
3/2
9/8
10/9
5/3
5/4
15/8
DUODENE BASED ON THE 6:7:9 TRIAD
7/6
7/4
I
3/2
9/7
12/7
14/9
443
8/7
7-8. Perrett’s harmonization ofPachymeres’s enharmonic. The numbers under the note ratios repre_ sent the harmonicfactors or Partch “Identities” ofthe
chords. The uppermost voice contains the tones ofthe
tetrachord. The ratios ofeach ofthe chordal components are shown below. Asterisks indicate the roots
ofharmonic chords, “Otonalities” in Parich'snomenclature. The 28/15 does not occur in the Partch
gamut, buta transposed version is available in
Partch’s system starting on 1/1 = 5/3. The pitches of
the tetrachord then become 5/3 7/4 16/9 and 10/9.
21/16
9/8
27/14
1/1
21/20
16/15
4/3
5
7
8
5
4
6
7
4
3
5
6
3
I
I
I
I
$=2/1
4=8/5
3= 6/5
7=21/20
6= 9/5
5=3/2
8 = 16/15
7= 28/15
6 = 8/5
5=4/3
4= 16/15
3 =8/5
1 8/5
1=6/5
1=16/15
1=16/15
8/5*
6/5 *
16/15 *
HARMONIZATION OF TETRACHORDAL SCALES
Page 140
View in PDF(opens in a new window)17-limit just intonation (Perrett 1934, 158). This harmonization is shown
as number 7 of 7-9.
I have devised another harmonization, which is noteworthy in that the
movement between the roots of last two chords of the cadence is by a 40/
27 rather than a 3/2. This example is shown in 7-10.
These harmonizations are rather simple, with few nonharmonic tones
7-9. Perrett’s other tetrachord harmonizations. The
namesfor numbers 3 and 4 are Perrett’s; the
tetrachord is actually Archytas’s diatonic and
Ptolemy's tonic diatonic genus rearranged. In
ascendingform, the tetrachord ofnumbers 1 and 6 is
28/27. 15/14 + 6/5, Ptolemy's
soft chromatic.
I. INVERTED PTOLEMY’S SOFT CHROMATIC
ı/ı
6/5
9/7
4/3
5
4
5
6
9
7
7
6
3
I
4
I
5
2
5
I
or passing chords. More sophisticated techniques including the use of
subharmonic chords would seem appropriate.
More complex treatment is obviously possible in larger microchromatic
scales such as Partch’s 43-tone gamut. With the help of a computer, 4022
occurrences of tetrachords and 1301 heptatonic scales in which both tetrachords are identical have been found in this scale. Among these are the instances of the Ptolemaic sequence, Partch’s name for the major mode, and a
number of other tetrachords from Ptolemy’s catalog. Smaller systems such
as Perrett’s 19-tone scale have considerable tetrachordal resources; 269
tetrachords and 52 heptatonic tetrachordal scales occur in this gamut.
2. PTOLEMY’S SOFT CHROMATIG
1/1
6
28/27
7
10/9
5
4/3
6
5
6
4
5
4
I
5
I
3
I
4
I
3. PTOLEMY’S “SOFT DIATONIC,”
5. ARCHYTAS'S DIATONIC
1/1
6
5
28/27
14
12
32/27
16
12
4/3
16
12
4
9
9
8
2
4
6
5
6. INVERTED PTOLEMY’S SOFT CHROMATIC,
REARRANGED
1/1
6
28/27
7
7/6
7
4/3
8
5
6
6
7
4
5
5
6
I
I
I
I
4. PTOLEMY’S “SOFT DIATONIG,”
REARRANGED, ALTERNATIVE CHORDS
1/1
6
28/27
7
7/6
5
ALTERNATIVE CHORDS
1/1
5
4
6/5
5
6
9/7
go
70
4/3
20
15
3
I
4
63
12
I
45
Io
7. ARCHYTAS’S ENHARMONIC
4/3
8
5
6
4
7
4
5
3
6
I
I
I
I
1/1
8-16
5-10
28/27
12
10
16/15
28
24
4/3
6
5
3-7
2-4
7
4
17
10
CHAPTER 7
Page 141
View in PDF(opens in a new window)7-10. Another harmonization ofArchytas’s enharmonic. The root ofthe chord under 28/27 is go/
27 a syntonic comma lower than 3/2. The septimal
tetrad on 16/15 lacksa major third.
1/1
28/29
16/15
4/3
5
4
3
7
6
5
8
7
6
5
4
3
I
I
I
I
Many of these tetrachords closely approximate divisions based on higher
harmonics or equal temperaments, such as those found in Aristoxenian
theory. Because they are composed of secondary or multiple number ratios
whose factors are limited to 11, their tones may be harmonized by comparatively simple harmonic or subharmonic chords in a tetradic or hexadic
texture.
Wilson’s expansions
Perhaps the most innovative technique for harmonizing tetrachords is
due to Ervin Wilson (personal communication, 1964). Wilson’s technique
is based on sequences of chords of increasing intervallic span linked by a
common tone. Wilson’s have the property that the successive differences
between the chordal factors follow a consistent pattern. This pattern is
termed the unit-proportion (ur). It controls both the rate of intervallic expansion and less directly the degree of consonance. For harmonic chords,
it may be expressed as a string of signed, positive integers, i.e., the unitproportion of the major triad 4:5:6:8 is +1 +1 +2. Subharmonic unitproportions are written with prefixed — signs; the unit-proportion of the
chord 8:6:5:4 is -2 -ı —1. Sequences of chords with identical unitproportions make up an expansion which progresses from a dense, relatively discordant chord through chords of decreasing tension to a stable
consonance, usually a triad with the root doubled.
Sequences of such chords may be used in many musical contexts, and
somewhat similar chordal sequences have been explored by Fokker (1966,
1975). Wilson’s expansions are particularly attractive when applied to tetrachords and tetrachordal scales.
The application of Wilson’s technique to tetrachordal scales is best seen
by example. Wilson’s original examples were harmonizations of the inverted enharmonic genera, 1/1 5/4 9/7 4/3 (Archytas) and 1/1 5/4 13/10
4/3 (Avicenna) approximated in 22- and 3r-tone equal temperament.
These examples have been translated into just intonation and are shown in
7-11. An optional 7:8:9:11 chord has been added to Wilson’s original progression for the inverted Archytas’s enharmonic.
Although one may limit the harmonization to a single tetrachord, it is
more likely that one will want to harmonize all seven tones of the scale.
Several solutions to this rather difficult problem using both harmonic and
subharmonic chords with varied unit-proportions and different common
tones are given in 7-12. In these examples, either the 4/3 or 3/2 is held
135
HARMONIZATION OF TETRACHORDAL SCALES
pui
|
i.
[o
Page 142
View in PDF(opens in a new window)constant throughout the progression. A passing chord containing intervals
of 13 and 15 is used in number 2 to make the progression smoother. These
intervals are conditioned in part by the unit-proportion of the set and in
part by the intervals of the tetrachord. The major caveat is to limit the
number of chords and extra tones when preservation of the melody of the
tetrachord is important.
Except for octave transposition of some of the chordal tones and ocassional passing chords there has not been much study of harmonic elaboration (Wilson, personal communication). This is true of the endogenous
and tritriadic approaches as well. The standard techniques, however, would
appear to be applicable here as in traditional practice, but only more experimentation will tell.
Although the majority of this chapter has been presented from the
viewpoint of just intonation, these scales and their various harmonizations
are equally valid in systems of equal temperament which furnish adequate
approximations to the important melodic and harmonic intervals.
9-11, Wilson's expansion technique. The set of
ratios are the chordal tones relative to 1/1. (1) is the
just intonation version of Wilson'sfirst expansion
harmonization with the later addition ofan optional
789 11 chord at the beginning. The original was
guantized to 22-tone equal temperament, (2) is the
just intonation version of Wilson's second expansion
harmonization, The original was quantized to 31tone equal temperament, In both cases, the added
tones are in lighter type. The optional chord is in
parentheses,
I, INVERTED ARCHYTAS ENHARMONIC, HARMONIC CHORDS ON 3/2, UP = +I +1 +2
t/t
5/4 9/7 4/3
3/2
15/8 27/14 2/1
(7
8
9
11)
(7/6
4/3
3/2
11/6)
7
21/16
8
3/2
6
9/8
10
15/8
5
6
7
9
15/14
9/7
3/2
27/14
4
5
6
8
1/1
5/4
3/2
2/1
2. INVERTED AVICENNA'S ENHARMONIC, HARMONIC CHORDS ON 3/2, UP = +3 +3 +6
1/1
5/4 13/10 4/3
15/8 39/20 2/1
18
21
24
30
9/8
21/16
3/2
15/8
14
21/20
12
w/t
17
51/40
15
5/4
136
3/2
CHAPTER 7
20
3/2
18
3/2
26
Page 143
View in PDF(opens in a new window)7-12. Trial expansion harmonizations. The successive differences or
unitproportions are positive in harmonic chords, negative in subharmonic. The non-scalar added tones are in lighter type. Passing notes
are in parentheses.
4. INVERTED DIDYMOS’S CHROMATIC, HARMONIC CHORDS ON 3/2,
UP = +2 +3 +5
1/1
I, DIDYMOS’S CHROMATIC, SUBHARMONIC CHORDS ON 4/3,
4/3
30
25
22
20
10/9
4/3
50/33
5/3
25
16/15
3/2
8/5 5/3
I5
1/7
4/3
9/5 15/8 2/1
20
22
25
30
6/5
33/25
3/2
9/5
2/r
17
51/40
10
1/1
Iz
6/5
17
80/51
12
5/3
10
2/1
5/4
4/3
3/2
7/4
15
16
18
21
5/4
43
3/2
7/4
(12)
(13)
(6/5) (13/10)
15
(18)
3/2
(9/5)
12
3/2
15
15/8
9
Io
9/8
5/4
6
7
1/1
7/6
1/1 28/27 16/15
II
9
8
7
12/11
4/3
3/2
12/7
8
4/3
7
32/21
16
18
20
6
4/3
3/2
5/3
2/1
14
14/9
16
16/9
12
8/5
14
28/15
9
4/3
Il
44/27
13
52/27
8
4/3
10
5/3
Iz
2/1
6. INVERTED ARCHYTAS’S ENHARMONIC, SUBHARMONIG CHORDS ON
3/2, UP= 2-22
1/1
5/4 9/7 4/3
3/2
18
4/3
16
3/2
20
6/5
2/1
16
15/14
6
16/9
12
4/3
10
4/3
6
1/1
UP= +2 II
3/2 14/9 8/5
14
7
28/27
3. ARCHYTAS’S ENHARMONIC, SUBHARMONIC CHORDS ON 4/3,
4/3
3/2 14/9 8/5
8
16/15
12
2/1
1/1 28/27 16/15
4/3
10
10/9
x5/8 z/ı
9
3/2
10
16/15
20
2/1
UP
= +2 +2 +2
UP=+I +2 +3
7/6
25
15/8
15
3/2
15
16/9
2. HARMONIC CHORDS, 3/2 COMMON, PASSING NOTES INSERTED,
1/1
20
3/2
5: ARCHYTAS’S ENHARMONIG, 4/3 COMMON, HARMONIC CHORDS,
20
43
20
3/2
15
9/8
UP =—5 —3 —2
ı/ı 16/15 10/9
6/5 5/4 4/3
14
5/4
12
3/2
15/8 27/14 2/1
14
12/7
10
15/8
14
12
10
8
27/16
27/22
3/2
27/14
9
7
6
5
13
II
9
7
28/27
4/3
14/9
28/15
9/8
9/7
3/2
9/5
8
6
x/x
4/3
5
8/5
4
2/x
137
12
1/1
10
6/5
8
3/2
HARMONIZATION OF TETRACHORDAL SCALES
Page 144
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Schlesinger’s harmoniai, Wilson’s
diaphonic cycles, and other similar
constructs
‘THE HARMONIAI WERE proposed by the English musicologist Kathleen
Schlesinger as a reconstruction and rediscovery of the original forms of the
modal scales of classical Greek music. Schlesinger spent many years
developing her theories by experimenting with facsimiles of ancient auloi
found in archaeological sites in Egypt, Pompeii, and elsewhere. Later, she
extended her studies to include flutes of ancient and modern folk cultures.
As a result of her researches, she questioned the accepted interpretation of
Greek musical notation. The results of these studies were previewed in a
paper on Aristoxenus and Greek musical intervals (Schlesinger 1933) and
were presented at length in her major work, The Greek Aulos (1939). Her
writings are a major challenge to the traditional tetrachord-based doctrines
of the Aristoxenian and Ptolemaic theorists. While there are compelling
reasons to doubt that her scales were ever a part of Greek musical practice,
they form a musical system of great ingenuity and potential utility in their
own right.
This first part of this chapter is devoted to an exposition and analysis of
her work, Various extensions and additions are proposed and near the end
related materials, including Wilson’s diaphonic cycles, are discussed.
The Schlesinger harmoniai
Schlesinger’s harmoniai are 7-tone sections of the subharmonic series
between members an octave apart. In theory, they are generated by aliquot
divisions of the vibrating air columns of wind instruments. The same
intervals, however, are obtained by the linear division of half strings. As
string lengths are conceptually simpler than air columns, this discussion
SCHLESINGER’S HARMONIAI
Page 145
View in PDF(opens in a new window)8-1. The diatonic Perfect Immutable System in the
will refer to the former for clarity. The numbers or modal determinants
Dorian tonos according ta Schlesinger. Each diatonic
assigned to each of the notes are to be understood as the denominators of
harmonia may be taken as an octave species ofthis
ratios. The sequence 22 20 18 16 is a shorthand for the notes 22/22 22/20
22/18 22/16 or 1/1 11/10 11/9 11/8 above the tonic note 22.
systems, (As elsewhere, at variance from Schlesinger,
32
HYPATE HYPATON
28
PARHYPATE HYPATON
26
LICHANOS HYPATON
24
HYPATE MESON
22
PARHYPATE MESON
20
LICHANOS MESON
18
&
MESE
16
13
Bm
TY
TRITE DIEZEUGMENON
eo
14
12
II
TRITE HYPERBOLAION
Io
PARANETE HYPERBOLAION
9
NETE HYPERBOLAION
8
mo
PARANETE DIEZEUGMENON
NETE DIEZEUGMENON
Mm
15
PARAMESE
bd
TRITE SYNEMMENON
2
M.D.
PROSLAMBANOMENOS
Jade
à
NOTE
®
bypate meson is equated with E rather than F.) Trite
synemmenon is required for the bypo-modes, in
which it replacesparamese. The diatonic
synemmenon tetrachord consists ofthe numbers 16
15 13 and 12.
The octave rather than the tetrachord is the fundamental module of
these scales. Although the scales can be analyzed into tetrachords and disjunctive tones, the tetrachords are of different sizes which, in general, do
not equal 4/3. Furthermore, each interval of the scale is different; the series
of duplicated conjunct and disjunct tetrachords of the traditional theorists
(chapter 6) is replaced by modal heptachords which repeat only at the
octave.
The familiar names for the octave species are retained, but each modal
octave is, in effect, another segment of the subharmonic series, bounded by
a different modal determinant and its octave. 8-1 shows the form the Perfect Immutable System in the diatonic genus takes in her theory.
The modal determinants have many of the functions of tonics. As such,
they serve to identify and define the harmoniai. Schlesinger also considers
that mese itself has tonic functions, a point which is controversial even in
the standard theory (Winnington-Ingram 1936).
The relations the other octave species have to the central Dorian octave
is shown in 8-2. The seven harmoniai may also be constructed on a common
tone, proslambanomenos, by assigning their modal determinants to hypate
meson. In this case, there are six additional keys or tonoi which are named
after the homonymous harmoniai. The Dorian and the other modal octaves
are then found at corresponding transpositional levels in each tonos, Con-
PS
32
8-2. The diatonic barmiontai as octave
species ofthe Perfect Immutable System in
the Dorian tonos. Other tonoi are defined
by assigning their modal determinants to
bypate meson and proceeding through the
subharmonic series. The Dorian, however,
is the basisfor Schlesinger
's theory.
MIXOLYDIAN
LYDIAN
PHRYGLAN
DORIAN
HYPOLYDIAN
HYPOPHRYGIAN
HYPODORIAN
HH PH LH HM PM LM M TS PM TD PD ND TH PN NH
28 26 24 22 20 18 16 Ig 14 13 12 IT 10 9 8
28 26
26
140
CHAPTER 8
24 22
24 22
24 22
22
20
20
20
20
20
18
18
18
18
18
18
16
14
16
14
16
I4
16
14
16 (15) 14
16 15
16 IS
13
13
13
13
13
13
12
I2
12
12
12
II
II
II
II
Page 146
View in PDF(opens in a new window)comitantly, there is a seven-fold differentiation of the tuning of the other
notes of the Perfect Immutable System. These tonoi are shown in 8-3.
Anomalies and inconsistencies
The clarity and consistency of Schlesinger’s system, however, is only
apparent. Once one goes beyond the seven diatonic harmoniai, anomalies
of various types soon appear.
Schlesinger explicitly denies harmonia status to the octave species running from proslambanomenos to mese, calling it the bastard Hypadorian or
Mixophrygian. She rejects it because it resembles the Hypodorian an octave
lower but differs in having 8/7 rather than 16/15 as its first interval. Yet this
scale had a name (Hypermixolydian) in the standard theory and was
rejected by Ptolemy precisely because it was merely the Hypodorian
8-3. Schlesinger’s diatonic harmoniai as tonoi.
Elsewhere she gives differentforms, most notably
variants ofthe Lydian, with 27 instread of 26, and
Dorian, with 21 instead of 22 (Schlesinger 1939,
1-35, 142). A trite synemmenon could be defined in
each tonos, but Schlesinger chose not to do so.
Schlesinger conceived ofthe Hypolydian harmonia in
twoforms with 15 alternating with 14 (ibid.,
26-27). Her theory demands that the Dorian trite
synemmenon (15) be employed in all the hypo-modes,
but she allows the alternation in the Hypolydian
barmonia.
transposed by an octave.
Each of the diatonic harmoniai also had chromatic and enharmonic
forms derived by subdividing the the first interval of each tetrachord and
deleting the former mesopyknon. This process is identified with katapyknosis and is analogous to the derivation of the genera in the standard
theory (see chapters 2 and 4). These forms are listed in 8-4 for the central
octave of the Perfect Immutable System in each homonymous tonos.
It is also here that some of the most serious problems with her theory
occur. Although all of the diatonic harmoniai occur as octave species of the
Dorian, and of each other, the chromatic and enharmonic forms of the
other harmoniai are not modes of the corresponding forms of the Dorian
harmonia. Rather, they are derived by katapyknosis of the homonymous
tonos. The symmetry is broken and the modes are no longer identical in
PS
HH PH
LH
HM PM
LM
M
PM
A
B
c
D
E
6
a
be
MIXOLYDIAN
44
LYDIAN
40
PHRYGIAN
36
DORIAN
32
HYPOLYDIAN
28
HYPOPHRYGIAN 26
HYPODORIAN 24
40
36
32
28
26
24
22
36 32
32 28
28 26
26 24
24 22
22 20
20 18
141
F
28 26 24
26 24 22
24 22 20
22 20 18
20 18 16
18 16 15
16 15 13
22 20
20 18
18 16
16 14
15 13
13 12
12 II
SCHLESINGER'S HARMONIAI
TD
PD
ND TH
de
f
PH
NH
ga
18 16 14 13 12 II
16 14 13 12 II Io
14 13 12 IX IO 9
13 12 11 10 9
8
12 I1 10 9
8
7
I1 10 9
8
7 13/2
Page 147
View in PDF(opens in a new window)different tonoi. Even the modal determinants of the harmoniai may be
changed in different tonoi.
Other inconsistencies and anomalies may be noted. The chromatic and
enharmonic forms are incompletely separated since the enharmonic and
chromatic forms of some harmoniai share tetrachords. Even these presumed canonical forms do not agree with the varieties she derives elsewhere in The Greek Aulos from her interpretation of the Greek notation.
Because of certain irregularities in the notation, she claims that the
modal determinant of the Lydian harmonia must have been altered at some
period from 26 (13) to 27 and that of the Dorian from 22 to 21. These
changes of modal determinants would not only have disrupted the tonal
relations of the original harmoniai, but would also have affected the tonality
of the rest of the system in all three genera. Since the Dorian harmonia was
the center of the system, this would not have beena trivial change.
The question of modal determinant 15
Another problem is the status of 15 as a modal determinant. Schlesinger
strongly denies the existence of a harmonia whose modal determinant is 15.
Yet one of her facsimile instruments plays it easily. She also states that
hypate hypaton could be tuned to 30 in the Hypodorian harmonia where
it generates a perfectly good harmonia of modal determinant 15 with the
octave at trite synemmenon (8-2).
The inclusion of modal determinant 15 is, on the whole, quite problematical. It enters originally as the Dorian trite synemmenon (Bj), the only
8-4. Schlesinger’s chromatic and enharmonic harmoniai (Schlesinger 1939, 214). It is clear that these
scales are not simply modes ofthe Dorian chromatic
and enharmonic genera, but are derivedfrom the
homonymous tonoî. The chromatic and enbarmonic
forms are derived by two successive doublings ofthe
modal determinantfollowed by note selection to
obtain the desired melodic contours. The upper tetrachords ofthe chromatic and enharmonicforms ofthe
Dorian and Hypolydian harmoniai are identical. In
the Hypolydian harmonia 30 (15) may replace 28
(14). The Hypophrygian and Hypodorian barmoniai bave a single enbarmonic-chromaticform.
accidental in the Greater Perfect System. Although Schlesinger mentions
what she calls the conjunct Dorian harmonia where 15 substitutes for 14,
and elsewhere allows 15 to freely alternate with 14, she uses trite syn-
HARMONIA
MIXOLYDIAN
LYDIAN
PHRYGIAN
DORIAN
HYPOLYDIAN
HYPOPHRYGIAN
HYPODORIAN
142
CHROMATIC
28 27 26 22 2019 18 14
26 25 24 201817 16 13
242322 18 1615 14 12
44 42 40 32 28 17 26 22
40 38 36 28 26 25 24 20
3635 34 26 24 23 22 18
32 3130 24 22 2120 16
CHAPTER 8
ENHARMONIC
56 55 544440 39 38 28
525150403635 3426
48 47 46 36 32 31 30 24
44 43 42 32 28 27 2622
40 39 38 28 26 25 2420
36 35 34.26 24 23 22 18
32 313024 22212016
Page 148
View in PDF(opens in a new window)emmenon mainly to construct the diatonic hypo-modes. This is very much
at variance with the usage of this note by the standard theorists whose
Hypodorian, Hypophrygian, and Hypolydian modes employ only the
natural notes of Greater Perfect System.
For these theorists, trite synemmenon and the rest of the synemmenon
tetrachord are part of the Lesser Perfect System and are used to primarily
illustrate the melodic effect of modulations to the key a perfect fourth
lower. Bacchios also employs it to illustrate certain rare intervals such as the
ekbole, spondeiasmos, and eklysis (chapters 6 and 7). The combination of
the Greater and Lesser Perfect Systems to form the Perfect Immutable
System is basically a pedagogical device, not a reflection of musical practice. Furthermore, the Lesser Perfect System terminates with the synemmenon tetrachord, but to complete Schlesinger’s hypo-harmoniai the
note sequence would have to switch back into the notes of the Greater
Perfect System. Although chromaticism and modulation occur both in
theory and in the surviving fragments (Winnington-Ingram 1936), this use
of synemmenon would seem to be most unusual.
Historical evidence
Much of Schlesinger’s case for the harmoniai is based on fragmentary
quotations from classical Greek writers. This evidence is dubious support
at best.
Theorists such as Aristoxenos complain about the unstable pitch and
indeterminate tuning of the aulos (Schlesinger 1939). Aristoxenos claims
that the intervals of music are determined by the performance skill of the
player on both stringed and blown instruments and not by the instruments
themselves. This polemic may be interpreted either as referring to the
inherent pitch instability of the instrument or to the difficulty of bending
the pitches so as to approximate a scale system for which it is not physically
suited, ie. the standard tetrachordal theory. Whatever the correct interpretation, the passage does suggest that Schlesinger’s harmoniai played
little or no role in Greek musical practice in the fourth century BCE.
The problem lies with our ignorance of the Greek music and its mode
of performance. It is quite possible for an instrument to be musically
prominent and at the same time difficult to play in acceptable tune. Schlesinger may well have been right about the natural scales of auloi and still
be entirely wrong about their employment in Greek music of any period.
SCHLESINGER’S HARMONIAI
Page 149
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The harmoniai in world music
Schlesinger also tries to bolster her argument by appealing to ethnomusicology. Her case for the employment of the harmoniai in nonEuropean folk and art music gives the impression of overpleading, especially
in her analysis of Indonesian tunings. It is true, however, that wind instruments from many cultures often have roughly equidistant, equal sized finger
holes. For example, the scales of many Andean flutes do appear to resemble
sequences of tones from the various harmoniai, although the scales may not
be identical throughout the gamut (Ervin Wilson, personal communication). The scales on these instruments are usually pentatonic, rather than
heptatonic, Often one or more tones will diverge from the heptatonic pattern, particularly with respect to the vent, which is tuned to bring out the
pentatonic structure, Nevertheless, some of the harmoniai sound very similar to the scales heard on recordings of Bolivian and Peruvian music.
Hence, these data may serve
as at least a partial vindication of her ideas.
Empirical studies on instruments
In The Greek Aulos, Schlesinger made use of a large body of data obtained
by constructing and playing facsimiles of ancient auloi. She also studied
fipple flutes and other folk wind instruments. These studies deserve critical
attention.
The chief difficulty one has in evaluating this work is its lack of replication by other investigators. However, there are two published experimental studies which are relevant to her hypotheses.
The first is that of Letter, who made the assumption that two of the
holes on the surviving auloi were 4/3 or 2/1 apart (Letter 1969). From
measurements on these instruments, he determined the probable reed
lengths. His measurements and calculations yielded a number of known
tetrachords, including 12/11 - 11/10 - 10/9, 9/8 - 88/81 - 12/11, 9/8. 16/15 10/9, 14/13 + 8/7 + 13/12, and some pentachordal sequences, but little convincing evidence for the subharmonic series or the harmoniai.
More recently, Amos built modal flutes with holes spaced at increments
of one-eighth the distance from the fipple to the open end and the studied
the resulting intervals (Amos 1981). This procedure, however, is not really
in accord with Schlesinger’s work. She employed rather complex formulae
involving corrections for the diameter and certain other physical parameters to determine the spacing of the holes of modal flutes.
CHAPTER 8
Page 150
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The pitches of Amos’ flutes were measured by audibly comparing the
flute tone to a calibrated digital oscillator and minimizing beats. Amos’s
results show that the resulting intervals are subject to wide variation from
flute to flute and depend upon humidity, wind pressure, fingering, and
other parameters.
While not strictly comparable to Schlesinger’s results, the results of
these investigators suggest that one should be cautious in extrapolating the
tuning of musical systems from the holes of wind instruments.
Schlesinger herself made the same caveat and stated that the aulos alone
gave birth to the harmoniai. She claimed that the acoustical properties of
the aulos are simpler than those of the flute, and therefore, one can accurately deduce the musical system from the spacing of the finger holes of
auloi. People who have made and played aulos-like instruments are less
certain.
Lou Harrison found the traditional Korean oboe, the piri (and the
homemade miguk piri), to be difficult to play
in tune and noted its tendency
to overblow at the twelfth (personal communication). Jim French, who has
spent a number of years researching the aulos from both an archaeological
and an experimental perspective, has discovered that the type of reed and
its processing are far more crucial than Schlesinger implies. His results
with double auloi indicate that the selection of a particular reed can change
the fundamental by a 4/3 (personal communication), Duplicated tetrachords are thus quite natural on this kind of instrument. He has also found
that sequences of consecutive intervals from harmoniai such as that on 16
(Hypodorian) are relatively easy to play on these instruments and may be
embodied in historical examples and artistic depictions.
Composition with the harmoniai
The question of whether or not Schlesinger’s harmoniai are relevant to
Greek or world music may be of less importance to the experimental
musician than their possible use in composition. Her most fruitful contribution ultimately may be her suggestion that the harmonia be considered a “new language of music” (Schlesinger 1939).
Schlesinger tuned her piano to the Dorian harmonia in which C (at 256
Hertz) equals the modal determinant 22. Thus she used only an 11-pitch
gamut. For some unstated reason, she did not give a tuning for the note Bj,
which would have had the modal determinant 25, though she did include
SCHLESINGER’S HARMONIAI
Page 151
View in PDF(opens in a new window)such prime numbers as 17 and 19 and composites of comparable size such
as 22 and 24. One would think that the Phrygian harmonia on 24 would
make more efficient use of the keyboard, unless there are problems with the
altered tension of the piano strings. This, of course, would not be a limitation with electronic instruments.
Schlesinger was fortunately able to enlist the composer Elsie Hamilton
from South Australia in these efforts. Hamilton composed a number of
works in the Dorian diatonic tuning between 1916 and 1929. In 1935,
Hamilton trained a chamber orchestra in Stuttgart to perform in the harmoniai. Although several orchestral and dramatic works were composed and
performed during this period, it has been impossible to find further information about the composer or discover whether the scores are still extant.
From the excerpts in The Greek Aulos, it would appear that Hamilton
employed a conservative melodic idiom with straightforward rhythms (86). Schlesinger comments that such a simplification was necessary for both
“executant and listener.” The quotations from the score of Agave, brief as
they are, seem quite convincing musically in a realization on a retunable
synthesizer.
Hamilton’s harmonic system is of considerable interest. Although
familiar chords are scarce in this system, virtually any interval larger than
a melodic second is at least a quasi-consonance. Rather than attempt a
translation of tertian harmonic concepts to this tuning, Hamilton instead
chose to use the tetrachordal frameworks of the modes as the basic consonances (8-5 and 8-6a). In the Dorian mode, this chord would be 22 16
14 11 (1/1 11/8 11/7 2/1), with 15 (22/15) as an alternative tone.
A melodic line may be supported by a succession of such chords taken
from all seven of the modes. Hamilton augmented this somewhat sparse
8-5. Harmonization ofSchlesinger's barmoniai.
Tetrachordalframework chords. Chordsfront the
“conjunct” barmoniai in which 15 replaces 14 are
also shown where applicable,
MIXOLYDIAN
LYDIAN
PHRYGIAN
DISJUNCT
28:22:20:14
26:20: 18:13
24:18:16:12
CONJUNCT
28:22:16:14
26:20: 14:13, 26:20:15:13
24:18:13:12
DORIAN
22:16:14:1I, 22:16:I5:II
22:16:12:11
HYPOLYDIAN
HYPOPHRYGIAN
HYPODORIAN
20:15:13:10, 20:14:13:10
1B:13:12:9
16:12:11:8
20:15:11:10, 20:14:1 1:10
18:13:10:9
CHAPTER 8
Page 152
View in PDF(opens in a new window)8-6. Excerpts from Agave by Elsie Hamilton, with
ratio numbers.
if
13
pie À
15
2
ye eds
teu
ei
nt
è
10
A
+
ma
EtI
Limame
a
(a) Tetrachordalframework chords (“Sunrise”),
sw
2713
HYPOPHRYGIAN
A
Li
LI
Fe 1
13
el
TE
LYDIAN
13 12
EZAT
LE
+
!
DORIAN
fa 7
PHRYGIAN
d
ei.
vi
HYPOPHRYGIAN
N,
PTT
MKG
TT
Pi
hd
at
ui
Le
À.
pen |
L
7
Pi
_
kl
17
Er
LE
I
13
10
TA we
PHRYGIAN
9
TE
En
AF
Free:
HYPODORIAN
HYPOPHRYGIAN
9
1
9
10
:
13
é
la
be
EE
+
+
—
+
—
13
L
1
tf
tr
t
9
|
poe LE
MIXOLYDIAN "|
pote
MIXOLYDIAN
„410
RZ =
- ie
ay.Ir
ST
=I
|
È
| HYPOLYDUN
HYPOLYDIAN
oi
71
du
ii
L
Kl
tu
.
HYPOLYDIAN
©
DORIAN
PR
IL
4.
pe |
Martellato
(4) Modal tranposition.
8
as
15 12
ud
8
PHRYGIAN
11
— —
5
LE
ff
pei
8
werden
Li
4
DORIAN
TT
d
TS
RE
9
T
|
LT
I
LUI
|
(© Combinedframework chords (“Sunrise”).
I
HYPODO RIAN
[TE
id
8
+
te]
T
yak
er
+
15
=
fo
|
L
hi
ri
mre
A
f
—
TT
|
T
4
Cr
LYDIAN
7 je +
d 81
=
LI
ve
HYPOLYDIAN
+
ja >
nà
n
ÿ va
9
kw
A.
+
HYPODORIAN
SS
D)
à
j
+
(® Mixed chorus and tetrachords ofresolution
(“Funeral March”),
+
bens ÀFE fi
=
u
10
9
13
10
8
13
18
15
43
12
ti
8
Thoughtfilly
HYPOPHRYGIAN
D)
1
15
12
9
12
13
13
15
Con brio
PHRYGIAN
vi
©
it
2
147
8
8
8
dy
DeÈ
I
12
ff
1
8
8
SCHLESINGER’S HARMONIAI
fa
f
re
ro
i
10
9
„Ah
TOUT
8
7
Page 153
View in PDF(opens in a new window)vocabulary with chords formed by the union and intersection of chords
from two related harmoniai (8-6b, 8-6c, and 8-7). In the latter case, the
chords are resolved to their common dyad.
She also discovered that parallel transposition results in changes of
modality which are musically exploitable (8-6d), although the given examples are stated to have been approximated to the piano intonation.
One would characterize her harmonic techniques as essentially polytonal and polymodal, rather than “diatonic” or “chromatic.”
8-7. Chordal relations between related harmoniat
(Schlesinger
1939, 543-44).
It is a pity that more examples of Hamilton’s use of the harmoniai are
not extant. From this limited sample, it appears that Schlesinger’s system
succeeds as a “new language of music.”
Schlesinger’s harmoniai have inspired other composers, including
D
ML
HL
II
8
Il
7
Io
zr
14
10
13
14
20
7
I0
8
II
10
13
«I
14
13
9
14
20
L
HP
D
ML
13
9
9
12
10
13
13 18
11
on»
+
TETRACHORDAL CHORDS
10
II
14
T2
MIXED CHORDS
9
12
10
13
6
8
13
18
7
10
10
13
13
9
9
12
16/15. Forster has constructed several instruments embodying the ratios
of 13 in a Partch tonality diamond context. He has also composed a considerable body of music for these instruments (Forster 1979).
II
10
12
16
Extensions to Schlesinger’s system
Although Schlesinger’s system suffers from internal inconsistencies and
II
INTERVALS OF RESOLUTION
Il
4
Harry Partch and Cris Forster. Partch devoted a large part of his chapter
on other systems of just intonation to her work, citing it as a justification to
proceed on to ratios of 13 (Partch [1949] 1974). He correctly identified her
harmoniai with his Utonalities, with the addition of the Secondary Ratio,
II
14
omissions, her scales form a fascinating system in their own right, independent of their questionable historical status. The most obvious of the
corrections or enhancements is to rationalize her enharmonic and chromatic forms so that all three forms of each harmonia are distinct. The next
step is the definition of local tritai synemmenon in each of the tonoi so that
correct hypo-modes and conjunct harmoniai may be constructed. Finally,
new harmoniai based on modal determinants not used by Schlesinger are
proposed. These new modal determinants range from 15 to 33.
Rationalization of the harmoniai
The first and most obvious extension to Schlesinger’s system is to furnish
distinct chromatic and enharmonic forms for her diatonic harmoniai. This
may be done by katapyknosis of the diatonic with the multipliers 2 and 4.
To obtain the corrected chromatic versions, the first interval of each
tetrachord of the diatonic harmoniai is linearly divided into two parts. The
two new intervals are retained while simultaneously deleting the topmost
CHAPTER 8
Page 154
View in PDF(opens in a new window)note of each tetrachord to create the characteristic interval of the genus.
By this process, the old diatonic first intervals become the pykna of the new
chromatic forms.
The enharmonic is created analogously by katapyknosis with four. The
first two new intervals are retained, leading to pykna which consist of the
chromatic first intervals. This procedure is equivalent to performing
katapyknosis with two on the chromatic genera resulting from the operations above.
Wilson has suggested performing katapyknosis with 3 to produce trichromatic forms (personal communication). Ptolemy used the same technique to generate his shades. This operation produces two forms, a 1 +1
form in which the two lowest successive intervals are retained and a 1 + 2
form in which the lowest and the sum of the two highest are used. The
pykna of the 1 + 1 and 1 + 2 forms are thus different and the 1 + 1 form tends
to melodically approximate the enharmonic. A third form, the 2 + 1,
potentially exists, but would violate Greek melodic canons (chapter 3).
In an analogous manner, katapyknosis by 5 and 6 are possible if the
interval to be divided is large enough. These divisors generate what may
be called pentachromatic, pentenbarmonic, bexackromatic, and bexenbarmonic
genera. The forms of the rationalized harmoniai including the two trichromatic as well as the pentachromatic genera, created from a 2 + 3 division of the pyknon, are shown in 8-8.
If one generates all the forms of a harmonia which do not violate
accepted melodic canons by katapyknosis with the numbers 1 through 6,
nineteen genera result. The Hypermixolydian or “bastard Hypodorian”
provides a good example of this process because the first diatonic interval is
the comparatively large septimal tone 8/7 (231 cents). The nineteen katapyknotic genera of her “bastard Hypodorian” are shown in 8-9.
Local tritai synemmenon
Although all of the diatonic harmoniai can be represented as octave species
of the Dorian harmonia (plus trite synemmenon) by choosing different
notes as modal determinants, in the homonymous tonoi the central octave
is occupied by the notes of the corresponding harmoniai. Since all of the
tonoi are structurally as well as logically equivalent, the argument which
demanded that 15 replace 14 in the hypo-modes of the Dorian requires
that a local trite synemmenon be defined in each tonos. Otherwise, the
SCHLESINGER’S HARMONIAI
Page 155
View in PDF(opens in a new window)8-8, Rationalized barmoniai. These barmoniai should be compared to Schlesinger’s own as significant differences exist between
these and some ofhers in the chromatic
and enharmonic genera. Three new genera are also provided; these are hased on katapyknosis
by 3 and 5 instead of 2 and 4. To avoidfractions, some numbers bave been doubled. In principle, 14 may be substitutedfor 15 in
the bypo-modes. 14 alternates with 15 in the Hypolydian. To preserve melodic contour, the chromatic and enharmonicforms ofthe
Hypodorian are derivedfrom the “bastard” harmonia, Theforms ofthe lower tetrachords ofSchlesinger’s preferred barmonia
would
be 32 31 30 24,48 4746
36,48 4745
36, and
80 78 75 60..
Mixolydian
DIATONIC
1413 12 1110987
CHROMATIC
28 27 2622 2019 18 14
TRICHROMATIC I
42414033 30 29 28 21
TRICHROMATIC 2
4241 39 33 302927 21
ENHARMONIC
56 55 5444 40 39 38 28
PENTACHROMATIC
70 68 65 55 5048 45 35
Lydian
DIATONIC
1312111098713
CHROMATIC
26 25 24201817 16 13
TRICHROMATIC I
39 38 37 30 27 26 25 39
TRICHROMATIC 2
39 38 36 30 27 26 24 39
ENHARMONIC
52 515040
36 35 34 26
PENTACHROMATIC
65 63 60 50 45 43 4065
Phrygian
DIATONIC
121110987136
CHROMATIC
242322 181615 14 12
TRICHROMATIC I
PENTACHROMATIC
36353427 24 23 22 18
50 48 45 35 65 63 30 25
TRICHROMATIC 2
Hypophrygian
36 35 33 27 24 23 21 18
ENHARMONIC
48 47 46 36 32 31 30 24
PENTACHROMATIC
60 58 55 45 40 38 35 30
DIATONIC
18161513 1211 109
CHROMATIC
18171613 1223 119
TRICHROMATIC I
Dorian
54 52 50 39 36 35 34 27
DIATONIC
TRICHROMATIC 2
111098713611
54 52 48 39 36 35 33 27
CHROMATIC
ENHARMONIC
222120161427131II
36 35 34 2624 47 23 18
TRICHROMATIC I
PENTACHROMATIC
33 32 31 2421 41 40 33
90 86 80 65 60 58 55 45
TRICHROMATIC 2
33 32 30 24 21 20 39 33
ENHARMONIC
44 43 42 3228552722
PENTACHROMATIC
55 53 50 40 35 3465 55
Hypolydian
DIATONIC
10987136115
CHROMATIC
2019 18 1413251210
TRICHROMATIC I
30 29 28 21 39 38 37 15
TRICHROMATIC 2
30 29 27 21 39 38 36 15
ENHARMONIC
40 39 38 28 26 512520
150
CHAPTER 8
Hypodorian
DIATONIC
161513 12 111098
CHROMATIC
32 30 28 24 22 21 20 16
TRICHROMATIC I
48 46 44 36 33 32 31 24
TRICHROMATIC 2
48 46 42 36 33 32 3024
ENHARMONIC
64 62 60 48 44 43 42 32
PENTACHROMATIC
80 76 70 60 55 53 50 40
Page 156
View in PDF(opens in a new window)three hypo-modes in each tonos would be merely cyclic permutations of
the original sequence and would therefore lack modal distinction. These
tritai synemmenon are also needed to to form what Schlesinger would
probably term conjunct harmoniai.
The new tritai synemmenon may be supplied by analogy through katapyknosis of the disjunctive tone by 2. These additions, of course, increase
the number of possible scale forms, as the new notes may alternate with the
lesser of their neighbors as 15 alternates with 14 in the Dorian prototype.
This alternation generates fairly wide intervals in the range of augmented
seconds and gives the harmoniai containing them a chromatic or harmonic
minor flavor not present in the corresponding modes of the Dorian
harmonia.
NO.
8-9. The nineteen genera of Schlesinger’s “bastard
DI
Hypodorian” harmonia. Beyond 6x the intervals are
usually too small to be useful melodically. The numbers after the genus abbreviations distinguish the
various species. The multiplier refers to the multiplication ofthe modal determinants in katapyknosis.
The species are defined by the unit-proportions of
theirpykna. The 4x, 5x, and 6x divisions define genera with both enharmonic and chromatic melodic
properties,
CI
TI
T2
EI
E2
E3
DIVISION
MULTIPLIER
SPECIES
DIATONIC
16 1413 12 111098
IX I
CHROMATIC
1615 14121121 108
2X +l
TRICHROMATIG
24 23 22 18 33 32 3112
3X I+I
24 23 21 18 33 32 30 12
3x 142
ENHARMONIC/CHROMATIC
32 31 30 24 22 43 2116
4X HIHI
32 31 29 24 22 43 41 16
4x 142
3231282422 43 2016
4X 143
PENTACHROMATIC/PENTRNHARMONIC
PI
40 39 38 30 55 27 53 20
SX
I+I
P2
49 39 37 30 55 27 2620
Sx
142
P3
403936305527 51 20
SX
133
P4
49 39 35 30 55 27 25 20
SX
144
PS
40 38 36 30 55 53 51 20
SX
242
PG
403835 3055535020
5%
243
HE
H2
HEXACHROMATIC/HEXENHARMONIC
48 47 46 36 33 65 32 24
6x
48 47 45 36 33 65 63 24
6x
Ir
1+2
H3
48 47 44 36 33 65 62 24
6x
143
H4
H5
484743363365 6124
4847423633653024
6x
6x
1+4
145
H6
48 46 43 36 33 64 61 24
6x
SCHLESINGER’S HARMONIAI
Page 157
View in PDF(opens in a new window)8-10. Conjunct rationalized harmoniat. These barmoniai are formed in analogy to the
conjunct Dorian ofSchlesinger. The Hypodorian forms are based on the “bastard”
harmonia. The lower tetrachords of Schlesinger’s preferred form are 32 10 30 24, 48 47
46 36, 48 47 45 36, and 80 78 75 60.
TRICHROMATIC I
PENTACHROMATIC
36 35 3427 26 25 39 18
50 48 45 75 65 65 55 50
TRICHROMATIC 2
60 58 55 45 40 38 65 30
Hypophrygian
DIATONIC
181615 1325 IT 109
CHROMATIG
1817 161325 12 109
TRICHROMATIC I
Dorian
54 52 50 39 38 37 30 27
DIATONIC
1110981513611
CHROMATIC
TRICHROMATIC 2
Mixolydian
DIATONIG
1413
12 1121987
CHROMATIC
282726222120 1614
TRICHROMATIC I
48 47 46 36 35 34 26 24
42 414033
32 31 24 21
PENTACHROMATIC
TRICHROMATIC 2
42 41 39 33 32 30 24 21
ENHARMONIC
565554444342
32 28
PENTACHROMATIC
36 35 33 54 26 24 39 18
ENHARMONIC
70 68 65 55 53 50 40 35
2221 201615 Iq12 II
Lydian
TRICHROMATIC I
DIATONIC
13 121110198713
CHROMATIC
262524201918 14 13
TRICHROMATIC I
33 32 31 24 23 22 18 33
TRICHROMATIC 2
33 32 3024 23 21 18 33
54 52 48 39 38 36 3027
ENHARMONIC
36 35 34.26 51 25 20 18
PENTACHROMATIC
go 86 80 65 63 60 50 45
Hypodorian
39 3837302928
21 39
44 43 42 32 31 3024 22
PENTACHROMATIC
TRICHROMATIC 2
55 53 59 40 35 33 3055
39 3836302927
21 39
DIATONIC
1615 13 12231098
CHROMATIC
32 30 28 24 23 22 1816
TRICHROMATIC I
Hypolydian
48 46 44 36 35 3427 24
DIATONIC
2018 1615 13 12 11 10
CHROMATIC
TRICHROMATIC 2
ENHARMONIC
52 51504039 38 28 26
PENTACHROMATIC
ENHARMONIC
48 46 42 36 35 33 27 24
Phrygian
TRICHROMATIC I
ENHARMONIC
64 62 60 48 47 46 36 32
PENTACHROMATIC
DIATONIC
2422201817 14 13 6
CHROMATIC
2423221817 1613 12
60 58 56 45 43 41 33 30
80 76 70 60 58 55 45 40
65 63 60 55 5048 45 65
2019 18 15 14 13 II IO
TRICHROMATIC 2
60 58 5445 43 39 33 30
40 39 38 30 29 28 22 20
CHAPTER 8
Page 158
View in PDF(opens in a new window)New conjunct forms
8-11. Synopsis ofthe rationalized tonoî. The tonoi
are transpositions ofthe Dorian modal sequence so
that the modal determinant ofeach harmoniafalls
on bypate meson. À local trite synemmenon has been
defined in each ofthese harmoniai. In the
Hypolydian, 15 alternates with 14. When mesefalls
on 14, trite synemmenon is 27 (27/22). The
Hypodorian also hasa “bastard” form which runs
From proslambanomenos to mese in the Dorian tonos.
Thefirst tetrachord is 16 14 13 12.
The new tritai synemmenon combine with the remaining tones to yield
conjunct forms for each of the harmoniai. In order to preserve generaspecific melodic contours, a variation on the usual principle of construction
was employed in the derivation of these scales. The procedure may be
thought of as a type of inverse katapyknosis utilizing the note alternative to
the local trite synemmenon in some cases. These conjunct harmoniai are
listed in 8-10 in their diatonic, various chromatic, and enharmonic forms.
The tuning of the principal structural notes of the rationalized tonoi is
summarized in 8-11.
New modal determinants
As mentioned previously, one of the most noticeable inconsistencies in
NAME
MIXOLYDIAN
LYDIAN
P HH HMM TS
44 40 28 22 21
40 30 20 20 19
P ND
20 14
18 13
Schlesinger’s system is the lack of a harmonia whose modal determinant is
15. Similarly in the new conjunct harmoniai, modal determinants of 17, 19,
21, 23, and 25 are implied by the local tritai synemmenon of the ration-
DORIAN
HYPOLYDIAN
32 28 22 16 15
28 26 20 15/214
14 11
13 10
.
alized tonoi. Schlesinger herself stipulates the existence of harmoniai
on 21
and 27 as later modifications of the Dorian and Lydian harmoniai. She
PHRYGIAN
36 32 24 18
17
16 12
.
,
,
.
.
HYPOPHRYGIAN 26 24 18 13
25/2 12 9
claimed that these harmoniai were created by shifting their modal deter-
HYPODORIAN
23/2 11 8
minants one degree lower.
Additional harmoniai on modal determinants 29 and 31 may be added
without exceeding the bounds of the Perfect Immutable System. To these
24 22 16 12
may be added a harmonia on 33, which, though it exceeds the boundaries
of the Dorian tonos, is included in the ranges of the tonoi of 8-12 and 813. The normal or disjunct forms of these new harmoniai are shown in 8-
12 and the conjunct, which use their local tritai synemmenon, in 8-13. A
summary of these new harmoniai is given in 8-14.
8-12 (next page). New harmaniai. These harmoniai were created tofill in the gaps in
Schlesinger’s system, although some, such as tonoi-15, -21, and-27, are implied in her text,
Three new genera are also provided; these are based on katapyknosis
by 3 and 5 instead of2 and 4.
In principle, 14 may be substitutedfor 15 in these harmonia, savefor tonos-15 where the
Mixolydian harmonia would result. Similarly, 21 may replace 22 and 27, 26, except when doing
so would change the modal determinant. In the diatonic genus when thefirst interval above the
modal determinant isroughly a semitone, chromatic alternation with the next highest degree
would be melodically acceptable.
SCHLESINGER'S HARMONIAI
Page 159
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Tonos-15
Tonos-21
Tonos-27
Tonos-33
DIATONIG
15 13 1211109815
CHROMATIC
IS 1413 II 10199 I5
TRICHROMATIC 1
DIATONIC
2119 18 16 Iq 13 12 21
CHROMATIC
DIATONIC
27 24 21 20 18 16 14 27
CHROMATIC
33 30 27 24 22 2018 33
21 2019 16 1427 13 21
54 51 48 40 36 34 32 27
33 312924 22 212033
TRICHROMATIC I
63 61 59 48 42 41 40 63
TRICHROMATIC 2
TRICHROMATIC I
81787560 54525081
TRICHROMATIC 2
8x 78 72 60 54 52 48 81
ENHARMONIC
45 4443 33 30 29 28 45
TRICHROMATIC 2
45 44 42 33 30292745
63 61 57 48 42 41 39 63
DIATONIG
CHROMATIC
TRICHROMATIC I
99 96 93 72 66 64 62 99
TRICHROMATIC 2
99 96 90 72 66 64 60 99
101 102 40 36 35 34 54
33 32 31 24 22 43 21 33
75 71 65 55 50 48 45 75
ENHARMONIC
424140322855 27 21
PENTACHROMATIG
105 101 95 80 70 68 65 105
PENTACHROMATIC
135 129 120 10090 86 80 135
165 1§9 150 120 IIO 106 100 165
Tonos-17
Tonos-23
Tonos-29
DIATONIC
171513 12 II 10917
CHROMATIC
17 1615 12 11211017
TRICHROMATIC I
DIATONIC
232120181614 13 23
CHROMATIC
232221181615 14 23
TRICHROMATIC I
5149473633 32 31 SI
69 67 65 54 48 46 44 69
TRICHROMATIC 2
TRICHROMATIC 2
51 49 45 36 33 32 30 51
69 67 63 54 48 46 42 69
ENHARMONIC
ENHARMONIC
DIATONIC
29 26 24 22 2018 16 29
CHROMATIC
29 28 2722 2019 18 29
TRICHROMATIC I
87 85 83 66 60 58 56 87
TRICHROMATIC 2
87 85 81 66 60 58 54 87
ENHARMONIC
34 33 32 2422 43 21 17
46 45 44 36 32 313013
58 57 56 44 40 39 38 29
85 81 75 6055 53 5085
PENTACHROMATIC
115 111 105 90 80 76 70 115
PENTACHRO MATIC
145 I4I 135 IIO 10096 90 145
Tonos-19
Tonos-15
Tonos-3r
DIATONIC
19 18161413 I2 II 19
CHROMATIC
1918 17 141325 12 19
TRICHROMATIC I
DIATONIC
25222018 16 14 13 25
CHROMATIC
50 47 22 36 32 30 28 25
TRICHROMATIC I
DIATONIG
31 28 26 23 22 2018 31
CHROMATIC
31 29 27 2322212031
TRICHROMATIC I
57 55 53 42 39 38 37 57
75 72 69 54 48 46 44 75
93 89 85 69 66 64 62 93
TRICHROMATIC 2
TRICHROMATIC 2
57 55 51 42 39 38 3657
75 72 66 54 48 46 42 75
TRICHROMATIC 2
93 89 81 69 66 64 60 93
ENHARMONIC
ZI 30 29 23 22 43 21 31
PENTACHROMATIC
155 147 135 IIS IIO 106 100 155
ENHARMONIC
30 29 28 22 20 39 1915
PENTACHROMATIG
PENTACHROMATIC
ENHARMONIC
ENHARMONIC
38 3736 28265125 19
50 97 47 36 32 31 3025
PENTACHROMATIC
PENTACHROMATIC
125 119 110 90 80 76 70 125
95 91 85 70 65 63 6095
ENHARMONIC
PENTACHROMATIC
Tonos-2 1: Schlesinger claimed that
the Dorian 22 was lowered in the
PIS to 21 and that of the Lydian
from 27 to 26; tonos-21 is thus the
Dorian ofthe PIS. Tonos-25: It has
proven difficult to obtain harmoniai
whose melodic forms are characteristic ofthe genera. This tonos
demands chromatic alternatives (17
for 16, 48 for 47, 23 for 22, 97 for
98, ete.). Tonos-27: This was conjectured by Schlesinger to be the Syntonolydian. Note 21 may alternate
with 22. It may be described as the
Lydian ofthe PIS. Alternative
forms are 27 24 22 20 18 16 14 27,
272625 201817 16 27,and
$4 53
52403635 3427. Tonos-29:
In the
diatonic, 26 may alternate with 27.
Tonos-31: These harmoniai admit
several variants where 24 and 23,
29 and 30, 28 and 27 are alternatives. In tonos-33, the diatonic bas
a variant 33 29 27 24, the chromatic
33 63 30 24, the first trichromatic 99 95 91 72, the second
trichromatic 99 95 8772, and the
pentachromatic 165 157 145 120
CHAPTER 8
Page 160
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Tonos-15
Tonos-21
Tonos-27
Tonos-33
DIATONIC
151312112118 1615
CHROMATIC
15 14 13 II 21 2016 15
TRICHROMATIC 1
DIATONIC
2119 18 16 15 13 12 21
CHROMATIC
DIATONIC
27 2421 2019 161427
CHROMATIC
33 3027 2423 20 18 33
21 2019 16 15 14 12 21
54 51 48 40 38 36 28 27
33 31 29 24.23 22 18 33
TRICHROMATIC I
TRICHROMATIC I
81 78 75 60 58 564281
TRICHROMATIC 2
81 78 72 60 58 54 42 81
ENHARMONIC
45 44 43 33 32312445
TRICHROMATIC 2
63 61 59 48 46 44 36 63
DIATONIC
CHROMATIC
TRICHROMATIC I
99 96 93 72 70 68 5499
54 105 51 40 39 38 28 27
33 32 31 24 47 46 18 33
75 71 65 55 53 504075
TRICHROMATIC 2
63 61 57 48 46 42 36 63
ENHARMONIC
42 41 40 32 31302421
PENTACHROMATIC
105 101 95 80 76 70 60 105
PENTACHROMATIC
135 129 120100 96 90 70 135
165 159 150 120 116 11090 165
Tonos-17
Tonos-23
Tonos-29
DIATONIC
171513 12 23 10917
CHROMATIC
17 1615 12 2311917
TRICHROMATIC I
DIATONIC
23 21 20 18 17 14 13 23
CHROMATIC
23 22 21 18 17 16 13 23
TRICHROMATIC I
51494736
35 34 27 51
69 67 65 54 52 50 39 69
45 44 42 33 32 302445
ENHARMONIC
30 29 28 22 43 21 1615
PENTACHROMATIC
TRICHROMATIC 2
TRICHROMATIC 2
514945
36 35 33 27 51
69 67 63 54 52 48 39 69
ENHARMONIC
ENHARMONIC
DIATONIC
29 26 24 22 21 18 16 29
CHROMATIC
29 28 27 22 21 20 16 29
TRICHROMATIC I
87 85 83 66 64 62 48 87
TRICHROMATIC 2
87 85 81 66 64 60 48 87
ENHARMONIC
34 33322447
23 18 17
46 45 44 36 35 34 26 23
58 57 56 4443 42 32 29
PENTACHROMATIC
85 81 75 60 58 55 go 85
PENTACHROMATIC
115 III 105 90 86 Bo 65 115
PENTACHROMATIC
145 141 135 110 106 100 80 145
Tonos-19
Tonos-25
Tonos-31
DIATONIC
19 181614271211 19
CHROMATIC
DIATONIC
2522 201817 14 13 25
CHROMATIC
3128262322 20 18 31
191817142713 II 19
50 47 44 36 34 32 26 25
31 29 27 23 22 21 18 31
TRICHROMATIC I
TRICHROMATIC I
TRICHROMATIC I
57 55 53 42 41 40 33 57
TRICHROMATIC 2
75 72 69 54 52 50 3975
93 89 85 6967 65 54 93
TRICHROMATIC 2
TRICHROMATIC 2
57 55 51 42 41 39 33 57
ENHARMONIC
75 72 66 54 52 483975
93 89 81 69 67 63 54 93
ENHARMONIC
ENHARMONIC
38373628
55 5422 19
50 97 47 3635 343625
31 30 29 2345 44 36 31
PENTACHROMATIC
125 119 110 go 86 80 65 125
155 147 135 IIS III 105 90 ISS
PENTACHROMATIC
95 91 85 70 68 65 55 95
DIATONIC
CHROMATIC
PENTACHROMATIC
8-13. New conjunct barmoniai. In this context, conjunct means employing the local tonosSpecific trite synemmenon.
155
SCHLESINGER’S HARMONIAI
TRICHROMATIC 2
99 96 90 72 70 66 5499
ENHARMONIC
PENTACHROMATIC
Page 161
View in PDF(opens in a new window)8-14. Synopsis ofthe new tonoi. The tonoi are transpositions ofthe Dorian modal sequence so that the
determinant ofeach harmoniafalls an bypate meson.
A local trite smemmenonfor each ofthe barmoniai
has been defined. Certain odd or prime number
modal determinants have been expressed asfractions,
fe. 21/2, to indicate the higher octave since the modal
determinants represent aliquot parts ofvibrating air
columns or strings. Modal determinants 14 (28) and
15 (Go) are alternates, Tanos-3 1: in the conjunct
form, mese is 23, trite synemmenon is 22.
TONOS-I$
TONOS-17
TONOS-19
TONOS-21
TONOS-23
TONOS-25
TONOS-27
TONOS-29
TONOS-31
TONOS-33
P
22
24
28
32
36
36
40
44
48
48
HH
20
22
26
28
32
32
36
40
44
44
HM
IS
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
33
M
II
12
I4
16
18
18
20
22
24
24
TS P
21/2 10
23/2 11
27/2 13
15 14
17 16
17 16
19 18
21 20
22 22
23 22
Harmonizing the new harmoniai -
The new harmoniai may be harmonized by methods analogous to those
Elsie Hamilton employed with Schlesinger’s diatonic harmoniai. The tetrachordal framework chords of both the disjunct and conjunct forms of the
new harmoniai are shown in 8-15.
The framework chords from the new conjunct forms are particularly
interesting harmonically as they provide a means of incorporating the new
harmoniai with the older system. Because many of the modal determinants
of the new harmonia are prime numbers, their tetrachordal framework
chords do not share many notes with the ones from the older scales. CerND
15/2
17/2
19/2
21/2
23/2
25/2
27/2
29/2
31/2
33/2
tain chords, however, from the new conjunct harmoniai do share notes with
the framework chords of the older forms and thus allow one to modulate
by common tone progressions. These chords may also be used in progressions similar to those in 8-6c and 8-7.
Moreover, these chords may be used to harmonize the mesopykna of the
chromatic harmoniai and the oxypykna of the enharmonic which seemingly lay outside of Hamilton’s harmonic concerns.
Harmoniai with more than seven tones
Although it is quite feasible to define harmoniai with modal determinants between 33 and 44 (the limit of the Mixolydian tonos), it becomes
increasingly difficult to decide the canonical forms such harmoniai might
take because of the rapidly increasing number of chromatic or alternative
tones available in the octave.
Rather than omit the extra tones in these and the harmoniai with smaller
modal determinants, one may define harmoniai with more than seven tones
and utilize the resulting melodic and harmonic resources.
8-15. Harmonization ofthe new barmoniai.
Tetrachordalframework chords.
HARMONIA-I5
HARMONIA-I7
HARMONIA-I9
HARMONIA-21
HARMONIA-23
HARMONIA-25
HARMONIA-27
HARMONIA-29
HARMONIA-3I
HARMONIA-33
156
DISJUNCT
15:11:10:15/2
17:12:11:17/2
CONJUNCT
15:11:8:15/2
17:12:9:17/2
19:14:13:19/2
19:14:11:19/2
21:16:14:21/2
23:18:16:23/2
25:18:16:25/2
27:20:18:27/2
29:22:20:29/2
31:24:22:31/2, 31:23:22:31/2
33:24:22:33/2
21:16:12:21/2
23:18:13:23/2
25:18:13:25/2
27:20:14:27/2
CHAPTER 8
29:22:16:29/2
31:23:18:31/2, 31:24:18:31/2
33:24:18:33/2
Page 162
View in PDF(opens in a new window)8-16. Harmonicforms ofthe Phrygian harmonia.
For each ofthe diatonic harmoniai, the harmonic
forms are obtained by taking the 2/1 complement of
each ratio or interval.
FIRST VERSION OF THE INVERTED PHRYGIAN
DIATONIC
12 13 14 16 18 20 22 24
CHROMATIC
12 14 16 16 18 22 23 24
ENHARMONIC
24 30 31 32 36 46 47 48
SECOND VERSION OF THE INVERTED PHRYGIAN
CHROMATIC
2425 26 32 36 38 40 48
ENHARMONIC
48 49 50 64 72 74 76 96
8-17. Harmonicforms ofthe conjunct Phrygian
harmonia. For each ofthe conjunct diatonic harmoniai, the harmonicform is obtained by taking the
2/1 complement ofeach ratio or interval.
FIRST VERSION OF THE INVERTED CONJUNCT
PHRYGIAN HARMONIAI
DIATONIC
1213 14 17 18 20 22 24
Another source of new harmoniai has been suggested by Wilson. One
might insert pykna above notes other than the first and fourth degrees of
the basic diatonic modal sequence. Interesting variations may also be discovered by inserting more than two pykna, or any number at any location.
The final result of this procedure is to generate “close-packed” scales with
many more than seven notes.
Harmonic forms of the harmoniai
Schlesinger’s original harmoniai and all of the new scales generated in
analogy with hers are 1- or 2-octave sections of the subharmonic series.
These musical structures may be converted to sections of the harmonic
series by replacing each of their tones with their 2/1 complements or
octave inversions.
The resulting harmonic forms may be used in exactly the same way as
the originals, save that the modalities of the chords (major or minor) and
the melodic contours of the scales are reversed, i.e., the intervals become
smaller rather than larger as one ascends from the lowest tone.
In general, chords from the harmonic series are more consonant
than those from the subharmonic. However, the tones of the harmonic
scales are more likely to be heard as arpeggiated chords than are the
scalar tones of the subharmonic forms.
There is only one form of each of the inverted diatonic harmoniai,
but the chromatic, enharmonic and other katapyknotic forms (8-9)
have two versions. The first forms are the octave complements of the
corresponding subharmonic originals and these forms have their pykna
at the upper end of each tetrachord. The second versions are produced
by dividing the initial intervals of the two tetrachords of the inverted
diatonic forms as in the generation of the chromatic and other kata-
CHROMATIC
pyknotic forms of 8-9. An example which illustrates these operations
1213 1617 18 22 23 24
is shown in 8-16. The Phrygian harmonia, of modal determinant 12,
ENHARMONIC
24 26 34 35 36 46 47 48
SECOND VERSION OF THE INVERTED CONJUNCT
PHRYGIAN HARMONIAI
CHROMATIC
24 26 27 28 36 38 40 48
ENHARMONIC
48 52 53 54 72 74 76 96
is inverted and then divided to yield the diatonic, chromatic and
enharmonic forms. Both versions of the chromatic and enharmonic
harmoniai are listed, and the other katapyknotic forms may be
obtained by analogy.
Conversely, the second of the new harmonic forms may be inverted
to derive new subharmonic harmoniai whose divided pykna lie at the
top of their tetrachords. These too are listed in 8-16.
Conjunct harmoniai may also be inverted to generate harmonic
SCHLESINGER’S HARMONIAI
Page 163
View in PDF(opens in a new window)8-18, Wilson's diaphonic cycles. These diaphonic cycles (diacycles) may be constructed on sets of strings tuned alternately a 3/2 and 4/3 apart since the
largest divided interval is the 3/2. The order ofthe segments, nodes, and conjunctions may be permuted according to thefollowing scheme: a/b + c/d =
ald. cb = 21/1 andc/d. alo =c/b a/d = 2/1. Alternative conjunctions are indicated by primed nodes, i.e. c’, d'. Some diacycles such as number 21 have
two independent sets ofnodes and conjunctions. The second is symbolized byefg h.
a
€
13. Bar 44 serres hrc 33 32
a, c'
c
d'
db
bd
(3/2 + 4/3; 16/11 - 11/8)
(3/2
- 4/3)
2.
12
II
10 9
4a,¢
Id. Gloss Bananen ZÓ en 34
a
c
d
b
8
db
(3/2 «4/3; 17/12 « 24/17)
(3/2
- 4/3)
3.
18
a
17
16
c
15
14
13
15. Sd, LES GB ann 39 sn. 36
12
bd
a
4.
21 20
ac
IQ
18
17
16
1$
d
14
b
24 23
ac
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
d
27
26
25
4
22
21
20
c
19
9.
c
d
b
18. 63 nnn 60 nn GO. AS kennen 42
18
a
bd
c
c
d'
b, d
(3/2 + 4/3; 10/7 + 7/5)
(3/2
- 4/3)
8.
bd
(3/2 + 4/3; 10/7 - 7/5)
24 23
a
7.
d'
17. GOL. or Alia 40
3/2: 4/3)
6,
€
16. 57 56... CERTES 4200000 39 38
ac
c
d'
d b
(3/2 - 4/3; 19/14 - 28/19; 19/13 + 26/19)
(3/2 + 4/3; 10/7 - 7/5)
5.
ce
(3/2 » 4/3; 13/9+ 18/13)
(3/2
- 4/3)
(3/2 + 4/3; 10/7 + 7/5)
19. 66. 64 ann GOL 48... 45 44
a
c'
c
d'
db
(3/2 > 4/3; 22/15 + 15/11; 16/11 - 11/8)
33 32... Donner 22
ac
d
b
(3/2 «4/3; 16/11: 11/8)
20. 69 Bere 64... Lernen GB. 46
ac
c
d'
d
b
(3/2 > 4/3; 23/16+ 32/23; 23/17: 34/23)
30cm 28... 21 20
a
c
db
36. 32 ss 270 24
ac
ce’
d
21. Thu JO sus GB. 64... 51 50 49 48
4
6E
c
€
dh f bd
(3/2 » 4/3; 10/7 «7/5; 24/17 + 17/12)
b
(3/2
+ 4/3)
IO. 39m 36... 27 26
a
c
db
(3/2 - 4/3; 13/9- 18/13)
22. 7h 68... SI
a
c
d
II. 42...» GO sum. Jorn, 28
a
c
d
b
23. 78... 76 aen ST resine 52
(3/2 + 4/3; 25/17 + 34/25)
a
€
d
(3/2 - 4/3; 26/19+ 19/13)
(3/2 + 4/33 10/7. 7/5)
12, 45 Bloemen BO nnen EE 30
a
c
c
d'
50
b
24. Br
4
bd
(3/2 + 4/3; 22/16: 15/11)
158
CHAPTER 8
b
Bo Tunes COL 56 55
Ge
£
d
Page 164
View in PDF(opens in a new window)8-19. Diacycles
on 20/13. These diacycles can be
constructed on strings 13/10 and 20/13 apart.
forms as shown in 8-17. In this case, the disjunctive tone is at the
bottom with the two tetrachords linked by conjunction above.
These operations may be applied to all of the harmoniai described
‘above. Similarly, the other musical structures presented in the
a
remainder of this chapter may also be inverted.
Ge
g
d
f bh
60 un 56 sar 52 ovnensonrenssonnensenenvenenaveenseenn 42..40 39
ae go
€
Jhd
b
(20/13 + 13/10; 3/2 - 4/3; 10/7 - 7/5)
BO … 78.76 nnnaansensnosenenensenveneren 60... Sun. 52
a Gt g
(20/13 « 13/10; 3/2 - 4/3; 26/19 + 19/13)
Other directions: Wilson’s diaphonic cycles
Ervin Wilson has developed a set of scales, the diaphonic cycles, which
combine the repeated modular structure of tetrachordal scales with the
linear division of Schlesinger’s harmoniai (Wilson, personal communication).
The diaphonic cycles, or less formally diacycles, may be understood most
easily by examining the construction of the two simplest members in 8-18,
TOO 99...
DO ese Donne 72.470 2. 66 65
a eg
€
hd
f
b
(20/13 13/10; 10/7
+ 7/5:3/2-4/3;16/11- 11/8)
8-20. Triaphonic and tetraphonic cycles on 4/3 and
5/4. (1) may be constructed on three strings tuned to
1/1, 4/3, and 3/2. (2) requires strings tuned to 1/1,
4/3, and 3/2. (3) may be realized on four strings
In diacycle 1, the interval 3/2, which is bounded by the nodes a and b, is
divided linearly to generate the subharmonic sequence 9 8 7 6 or 1/1 9/8
9/7 3/2. Subtended by this 3/2 is the linearly divided 4/3 bounded by the
nodes c and d. This segment forms the sequence 8 7 6 or 1/1 8/7 4/3.
Five-tone scales may be produced by joining these two melodic segments
with a common tone to yield 1/1 9/8 9/7 3/2 12/7 2/1 (a-b on 1/1, then
c-d on 3/2) and 1/1 8/7 4/3 3/2 12/7 2/1 (c-d on 1/1, then a-b on 4/3):
987(6) and 870
(8) 76
(0) 876
tuned to 1/1, 6/5, 147/100 and 42/25.
The tones in parentheses are common to the two segments.
Diaphonic cycle 2 generates two heptatonic scales which are modes of
20
4,
19
¢
18
e
17
d
16
b,
15
f
(4/3 - 5/4 + 6/5)
DT rccrrscrerarionicren Daenen EN 21
b,f
d
oe
28
ac
(4/3 + 7/6: 9/7)
50 49 Greece
ine 42.40
GE
fb bd
4
€
(5/4 - 6/5 - 7/6 - 8/7)
Ptolemy’s equable diatonic genus: 1/1 12/11 6/5 4/3 16/11 8/5 16/9 2/1
and r/ı 12/11 6/5 4/3 3/2 18/11 9/5 2/1. The two forms are respectively
termed the conjunctive and disjunctive or tetrachordal form.
As the linear division becomes finer, scales with increasing numbers of
tones are generated. At number 4, a new phenomenon emerges: the existence of another set of segments whose conjunction produces complete
scales. The nodes 4,4 and ¢,b define a pair of diaphonic cycles whose segments are 10/7 and 7/5.
These diaphonic cycles can be implemented on instruments such as
guitars by tuning the intervals between the strings to a succession of 3/2’s
and 4/3’s. The fingerboards must be refretted so that the frets occur at
equal aliquot parts of the string length. Wilson constructed several such
guitars in the early 1960s.
SCHLESINGER’S HARMONIAI
Page 165
View in PDF(opens in a new window)8-21. Divisions ofthefifth, (1) is described as an
“aulos-scale (Phrygian, reconstructed by KS)” in
Schlesinger 1933. (2) isanother “aulos-scale (Hypodorian),” identified with another unnamed scale of
Aristoxenos (Meibomius 1652, 72). (3) isan “aulosscale (Mixalydian),” identified with another
unnamed scale ofAristoxenos. (4) is identified with
yet another scale ofAristoxenos. (5) spans
an augmentedfifth and appears also in ber interpretation of
the spondeion. (6) is the “singular major” ofSafiyud-Din (D'Erlanger 1938, 281). The Islamic genera
arefrom Rouanet 1922. (8), Isfahan, spans only the
4/3. (9) is labeled “Zirafkend Bouzourk.” Rouanet's
last genus is identical to Saftyu-d-Din’s scale ofthe
same name.
Wilson has also developed a set of simpler scales on the same principles
under the general name of “Helix Song.” They consist of notes selected
from the harmonic series on the tones 1/1 and 4/3. These have been used
as the basis of a composition by David Rosenthal (Rosenthal 1979).
Triacycles and tetracycles
For the sake of completeness, some new diacycles have been constructed on the interval pair 20/13 and 13/10. These are listed in 8-19. As
20/13 is slightly larger than 3/2, some new diacycles on 3/2 are generated
incidentally too.
Larger intervals and their octave complements might be used, but the
increased inequality in the sizes of the two segments would probably be
melodically unsatisfactory. This asymmetry may be hidden by defining
three or four segments instead of merely two. A few experimental threeand four-part structures, which may be called triacycles and tetracycles, are
SCHLESINGER’S DIVISIONS
1. 24/23: 23/22 . 11/9 + 9/8
2. 16/15 15/14 : 7/6 - 9/8
3. 28/27 9/8 - 8/7 - 9/8
4. 21/20: 10/9 + 9/8 + 8/7
5. I1/10- 10/9 : 9/8. 8/7
ISLAMIC GENERA
6. 14/13: 8/7 - 13/12 - 14/13 - 117/112
7. 13/12 - 14/13 - 13/12 - 287/272
8. 13/12-14/13: 16/14: 16/15
9. 14/13-13/12: 36/35 : 9/8. 10/9
shown in 8-20.
Linear division of the fifth
Asa
final note, it must be mentioned that both Schlesinger (1933) and the
Islamic theorists also recognized scales derived by linear division of the
fifth instead of the fourth or octave (8-21). Not surprisingly, Schlesinger’s
are presented as support for the authenticity of her harmoniai.
It is likely that the Islamic forms had origins that are independent of the
Greek theoretical system. The genus from Safiyu-d-Din (D’Erlanger
1938) may be rationalized as being derived from the permuted tetrachord,
14/13 + 8/7 : 13/12, by dividing the disjunctive tone, 9/8, of the octave scale
into two unequal parts, 14/13 and 117/112. Characteristically, all 24 permutations of the intervals were tabulated.
Rouanet’s scales deviate even more from Greek models, though the
tetrachordal relationship may still be seen (Rouanet 1922).
CHAPTER 8
Page 166
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The Catalog of tetrachords
THIs CATALOG ATTEMPTS a complete and definitive compilation of all the
tetrachords described in the literature and those that can be generated by
the straightforward application of the arithmetic and geometric concepts
described in the previous chapters. While the first of these goals can be
achieved in principle, the second illustrates Aristoxenos’s tenet that the
divisions of the tetrachord are potentially infinite in number. It seems
unlikely, however, that any great number of musically useful or theoretically
interesting tetrachords has been omitted. Figures 9-1 through 9-6 show that
the two-dimensional tetrachordal space is nearly filled by the tetrachords in
the Catalog. The saturation of perceptual space is especially likely when one
considers the finite resolving power of the ear, the limits on the accuracy and
stability of analog and acoustic instruments, the quantizing errors of digital
electronics, and our readiness to accept sufficiently close approximations to
ideal tunings.
Nevertheless, processes such as searches through large microchromatic
scales (chapter 7) and propriety calculations (chapter 5) will occasionally turn
up new genera, so perhaps one should not be too complacent. ‘The great
majority of these new tetrachords, however, will resemble those already in
the Catalog or be interchangeable with them for most melodic and harmonic
purposes.
Organization of the Catalog
The tetrachords in the Main Catalog are listed by the size of their largest
interval, which, in lieu of an historically validated term, has been called the
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 167
View in PDF(opens in a new window)LARGEST INTERVAL
characteristic interval (CI). The term apyknon would have been used except
that it has been traditionally employed to denote the sum of the two lower
400
intervals of the diatonic genera. In diatonic tetrachords, this sum is greater
than one half of the fourth.
Those tetrachords with CIs larger than 425 cents are classed as
hyperenharmonic (after Wilson) and listed first. Next come the enharmonic
with their incomposite CIs approximating major thirds. Chromatic and
diatonic genera follow, the latter beginning when the CI falls below 250
300
200
100
cents.
r
le)
200
For each CI, the genera derived from the 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 divisions of the
pyknon or apyknon are listed first and followed by the other species of
SMALLEST INTERVAL
9-1. Tetrachords injust intonation: smallest vs.
largest intervals. Units in cents, The oblique lines
are the upper and lower limits ofthe largest interval
for each value ofthe smallest. This graph is limited to
the tetrachords in the main, reduplicated, and miscellaneous lists.
tetrachord with this CI, References to the earliest literature source and a
brief discussion of the genus are given below each group.
In addition to the genera from the literature, the majority of the Main
Catalog comprises tetrachords generated by the processes outlined in
chapters 4 and 5. Both the 1:2 and 2:1 divisions are provided because both
must be examined to select “strong,” mostly superparticular forms in the
Ptolemaic manner (chapter 2). If strict superparticularity is less important
than convenience on the monochord or linear order, the 1:2 division is
preferable, but recourse to the 2:1 may be necessary to discover the simplest
form. For example, the threefold division of the 16/15 pyknon yields the notes
48 47 46 45. Ptolemy chose to recombine the first two intervals and reorder
the third to obtain his enharmonic, 46/45 24/23 : 5/4.
In general, only the simplest or mostly superparticular divisions are
tabulated in this section; occasionally a theoretically interesting tetrachord
SECOND INTERVAL
300 |
200 4
100
without any near relatives will be found in the Miscellaneous list. Such
isolated tetrachords are relatively uncommon. There are cases, however, in
fost
which all of the other divisions of a tetrachord’s pyknon or apyknon have
very complex ratios, and so closely resemble other tetrachords already
o
200
FIRST INTERVAL
9-2. Tetrachords injust intonation:first vs. second
intervals, The oblique lines are the upper and lower
limits of the second intervalfor each value ofthefirst.
This graph is limited to the tetrachords in the main,
reduplicated, and miscellaneous lists.
tabulated that it did not seem fruitful to list them in a group under the CI
in the Main Catalog.
“Miscellaneous” is a very elastic category. It consists of a collection of
genera of diverse origin that I did not think interesting enough to list in the
Main Catalog.
The order of intervals within each tetrachord is the canonical small,
medium, and large in the case of the historical genera and their analogs.
The new theoretical genera are generally listed in the order resulting from
CHAPTER 9
Page 168
View in PDF(opens in a new window)their generating process. It should be remembered, however, that all six
permutations of the non-reduplicated genera and all three of the
7
er
o
reduplicated are equally valid for musical experimentation.
With the exception of the Pythagorean 256/243 :9/8-9/8 and Al-Farabi’s
10/9 - 10/9. 27/25,the genera with reduplicated intervals are given in the list
ait niet
FF
PRE
22 200 |
x
©
=
a
100
1
om:
>
o
T
T
T
(e)
L
200
PARHYPATE
9-3. Tetrachords injust intonation: parbypatai vs.
lichanoî. The oblique lines are the upper and lower
limits of lichanosfor each value ofparhypate. This
graph is limited to the tetrachords in the main,
reduplicated, and miscellaneous lists.
of Reduplicated tetrachords.
Those tetrachords defined in either in “parts” of the tempered fourth
or which consist solely of tempered intervals are to be found in the Tempered
list. Needless to say, these tetrachords are a diverse lot, covering
Aristoxenos’s divisions, Greek Orthodox liturgical genera (in two systems
— one of 28 parts to the fourth, the other of 30), and those derived from
theoretical considerations. As some of the latter contain rational intervals
as well, a separate list of Semi-tempered tetrachords is included.
No attempt has been made to catalog the very numerous tetrachords and
tetrachord-like structures found in the non-zero modulo 12 equal
temperaments of 4-17.
An index of sources for those tetrachords of historical provenance is
provided.
In order to show the uniformity with which the set of alt possible tetrachords
in just intonation has been sampled in the Catalogs of this chapter, the genera
from the Main, Reduplicated, and Miscelianeous lists have been plotted in
Le]
oO
Kad
LARGEST INTERVAL
Uniformity of sampling
200
100
Le)
200
SMALLEST INTERVAL
9-4. Just and tempered tetrachords: smallest vs.
largest intervals. The oblique lines are the upper and
lower limits ofthe largest intervalfor each value of
the smallest. This graph contains all the tetrachords
in the Catalog.
9-1, 9-2 and 9-3. In 9-1, the smallest intervals are plotted against the largest
intervals or CIs. As one may see, the area delineated by the two oblique lines
is more or less uniformly filled. However, diagonal zones corresponding to
genera with roughly equal and 1:2 divisions are evident. The tables are
deliberately deficient in genera with commatic and sub-commatic intervals,
as these are of little use melodically. The few examples in the tables are taken
mostly from Hofmann’s list of superparticular divisions (Vogel 1975) or
generated by theoretical operations such as the means of chapter 4.
9-2 isa plot of the first versus the second intervals of the same tetrachords.
Although the graph has a different shape, the same conclusions may be
drawn.
9-3 is a third representation of the same data. In this case, cumulative
rather than sequential intervals have been plotted, This mode reflects the
Greek classification of tetrachords into primary genera (enharmonic,
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 169
View in PDF(opens in a new window)chromatic and diatonic) and shades or nuances (chroai) of these genera. The
primary distinction is based on the size of the uppermost interval, usually
the CI except in Archytas’s and Ptolemy’s diatonics (28/27 - 8/7 - 9/8 and
Le)
SECOND INTERVAL
5
le)
16/15 : 9/8 - 10/9). The exact nuance or shade is then defined by the size of
the first interval. The position of parhypate is equivalent to the size of the
first interval and the position of lichanos is an inverse measure of the CI.
This graph also reveals the relative uniformity of coverage and the excess
of genera with 1:1 and 1:2 divisions.
|
The tetrachords in the Tempered and Semi-tempered lists were added
to the set graphed in 9-1-3, and the entire collection replotted in 9-4-6.
Le]
The largest empty spaces in the plots are thus filled. In a few cases, the gaps
could be filled only by creating new genera specifically for this task. These
have been marked in the Tempered tetrachord list.
200
FIRST INTERVAL
9-5. Just and tempered tetrachords:first vs. second
intervals. The oblique lines are the upper and lower
limits of the second intervalfor each value ofthe
first. This graph contains all the tetrachords in the
The Main Catalog
HYPERENHARMONIC TETRACHORDS
Catalog.
500
Hi. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 13/10
|
goo |
“A
O
4n 300
=
fai
454 CENTS
80/79 : 79/78 - 13/10
224224454
60/49 - 118/117 : 13/10
29 +15 +454
120/119- 119/117
- 13/10
14 +29
+ 454
100/99 : 66/65 : 13/10
17+26+454
WILSON
The 13/10 would appear to be the upper limit for a genus-defining CI simply
because the pyknotic intervals become too small to be melodically useful,
however perceptible they might remain. In general, tetrachords with
intervals less than 20 cents or with overly complex ratios will be relegated
to the Miscellaneous listing at the end of the Catalog proper, unless there
200
is some compelling reason, such as historical or literary reference, illustration
à
100
of theory, or the like, to include them. The pyknon of this hyperenharmonic
Mr
o
genus is the 40/39 (44 cents), which is very close to the Pythagorean double
1
200
comma of 374/238, Number 4 is from the unpublished notes of Ervin Wilson.
PARHYPATE
AN La
See also Miscellaneous.
H2. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 35/27 449 CENTS
72/71 + 71/70 + 35/27
24 + 25 + 449
108/107 - 107/105 + 35/27
16 +33 +449
on
9-6. Just and tempered tetrachords: parbypatai vs.
lichanoi. The oblique lines are the upper and lower
limits of lichanosfor each value ofthe parhypate.
This graph contains all the tetrachords in the
Catalog.
54/53 « 106/105 : 35/27
64/63 - 81/80 - 35/27
164
CHAPTER 9
Page 170
View in PDF(opens in a new window)This genus divides the 36/35 (49 cents), an interval found in Archytas’s
enharmonic and Avicenna’s chromatic. Number 8 is found in Vogel's tuning
for the Perfect Immutable System (Vogel 1963, 1967) and Erickson’s (1965)
analysis of Archytas’s system (see chapter 6).
IO
II
12
H3. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 22/17 446 CENTS
68/67 : 67/66 - 22/17
26 + 26 + 446
51/50: 100/99
- 22/17
35 + 17 + 446
102/101 + 101/99 - 22/17
17 +35 + 446
85/84« 56/55 + 22/17
20 + 31 + 446
WILSON
The pyknon of this hyperenharmonic genus is 34/33 (52 cents), a
quartertone. The intervening genera with pykna between 39/38 and 35/34
have not so far yielded melodically interesting, harmonically useful, nor
mathematically elegant divisions, but see Miscellaneous for examples. This
genus is replete with intervals of 17.
H4. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 128/99 445 CENTS
66/65 » 65/64 : 128/99
26+27 +445
99/98. 49/48 - 128/99
18 + 36 + 445
13
14
15 99/97 : 97/96 + 128/99
35 + 18 + 445
The pyknon of this genus ís 33/32 (53 cents), the octave-reduced thirty-third
harmonic and an approximate quarter-tone.
16
Hs. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 31/24 443 CENTS
64/63 - 63/62 : 31/24
27 + 28 + 443
17
18
96/95 + 95/93 : 31/24
48/47 « 94/93 + 31/24
18 + 37 + 443
36 + 19 + 443
This hyperenharmonic genus divides the 32/31 (55 cents), an interval used
in Didymos’s enharmonic.
19
20
21
Hé. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 40/31 441 CENTS
62/61 : 61/60 : 40/31
28 +29 + 441
93/92 : 46/45 + 40/31
19 + 38 + 441
93/91 - 91/90 - 40/31
38 + 19 + 441
The pyknon of this genus is 31/30 (57 cents), an interval which occurs in
Didymos’s enharmonic.
H7. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 58/45
22
60/59 « 59/58 - 58/45
90/89 : 89/87 : 58/45
23
24 45/44 - 88/87 « 58/45
165
29 + 30+ 439
19 + 39 + 439
39 + 20 + 439
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
439 CENTS
Page 171
View in PDF(opens in a new window)120/119- 119/116
14 + 44 + 439
The pyknon of this hyperenharmonic genus is 30/29 (59 cents).
H8. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 9/7
435 CENTS
26
56/55 : 55/54- 9/7
31 + 32+435
27
42/41 + 82/81 - 9/7
84/83 - 83/81 - 9/7
42 +21+435
21 +42 +435
64/63-49/48 - 9/7
70/69 46/45 + 9/7
40/39 + 91/90 : 9/7
27 + 36 + 435
25 + 38 +435
44+ 19 + 435
112/111 - 37/36 9/7
81/80 - 2240/2187 - 9/7
16+47+435
22 +41 +435
9/7: 119/117 . 52/51
435 + 29 + 34
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
WILSON
The pyknon of this prototypical hyperenharmonic genus (Wilson,
unpublished) is Archytas’s diesis, 28/27 (63 cents). Melodically, this genus
bears the same relation to Aristoxenos’s soft chromatic as Aristoxenos’s
enharmonic does to his syntonic (intense) chromatic, Number 26 is Wilson’s
original “hyperenharmonic” tetrachord. Divisions 29 and 31 are interesting
in that their first intervals make, respectively, an 8/7 and a 15/13 with the
subtonics hyperhypate (diatonic lichanos meson) and mese, and
proslambanomenos and diatonic paranete diezeugmenon as well. Tetrachord
number 32 is a good approximation to a hypothetical 1 + 3 + 26 parts, 17 + 50
+ 433 cents—see also number 25 above. Number 33 occurs in Vogel’s (1963,
1967) PIS tuning. Number 34 is a summation tetrachord from chapter 4.
Ho. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 104/81
35
36
37
54/53 © 53/52 : 104/81
32 + 33 +433
81/79 - 79/78. 104/81
81/80 - 40/39 : 104/81
43 + 22 +433
22 +44 +433
433 CENTS
The pyknon of this genus is 27/26 (65 cents). This division is melodically
similar to the 9/7 genus, though not harmonically. Number 37, when
rearranged, generates a 15/13 with the subtonic.
Hıo. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 50/39
39
40
52/51 » 51/50 - 50/39
39/38 - 76/75 : 50/39
78/77 - 77/75 + 50/39
430 CENTS
34+35+430
45 +23 + 430
22 +46 +430
The pyknon is 26/25 (68 cents) and is inspired by Kathleen Schlesinger’s
(1939, 214) enharmonic Lydian harmonia.
CHAPTER 9
Page 172
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Hir. CHARACTERISTIG INTERVAL 32/25 427 CENTS
35 + 36 + 427
50/49 : 49/48 + 32/25
75/73 + 73/72 32/25
75/74-37/36 + 32/25
46+ 24+ 427
23 + 47 + 427
This genus divides the 25/24 minor semitone (71 cents). The 32/25 is the
3/2’s complement of 75/64, the 5-limit augmented second (5/4 - 5/4 - 5/4.
3/2, reduced to one octave).
ENHARMONIC TETRACHORDS
Er. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 23/18 424 CENTS
48/47 : 47/46 « 23/18
36 +37 +424
SCHLESINGER
36/35 : 70/69 « 23/18
49 +25 +424
WILSON
72/71. 71/69 : 23/18
24 + 50+ 424
30/29- 116/115 - 23/18
59 +15 + 424
WILSON
60/59- 118/115: 23/18
29
+ 45 + 424
This genus divides the 24/23 (74 cents) and lies on the boundary between
the enharmonic and hyperenharmonic genera. It is analogous to the 9/7
genus but divides the hemiolic chromatic rather than the soft or intense
diesis, Numbers 45 and 47 are from Wilson. Number 44 (Schlesinger 1939,
214) is the lower tetrachord of her enharmonic Phrygian harmonia.
Ez. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 88/69
49
50
51
46/45 - 45/44 - 88/69
38 + 39 + 421
69/67 - 67/66 - 88/69
69/68 - 34/33 : 88/69
51+ 26+ 421
25 +52 + 421
421 CENTS
The pyknon of this enharmonie genus is 23/22 (77 cents).
52
53
54
E3. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 50/41 421 GENTS
320/313 - 313/306 - 51/40
38 +39
+ 421
480/473 - 473/459 + 51/40
25 +52 +421
240/233 - 466/459 - 51/40
51+26+421
The pyknon is 160/153 (77 cents). The 51/40 is the 3/2’s complement of
20/17.
55
56
57
59
E4. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 14/11 418 GENTS
44/43 : 43/42 + 14/11
40 +41 +418
33/32 + 64/63 : 14/11
53 +27 +418
66/65 + 65/63 - 14/11
26 + 54 + 418
88/87 : 29/28 - 14/11
20 + 61 + 418
36/35 : 55/54: 14/11
49 + 32 + 418
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 173
View in PDF(opens in a new window)50/49 - 77/75 14/11
14/11 - 143/140 - 40/39
418 + 37 + 44
This is a new genus whose pyknon is 22/21 (81 cents). The 14/11 is a
supramajor third found in the harmonic series between the fourteenth and
35 +46
+ 418
eleventh partials. It occurs in the Partch diamond and other extended
systems of just intonation.
62
64
Es. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 80/63 414 CENTS
42/41 : 41/40: 80/63
42 + 42 +414
63/61 + 61/60 - 80/63
56 +28 +414
63/62 - 31/30 - 80/63
27+57+414
The pyknon of this enharmonic genus is 21/20 (84 cents), a common interval
in septimal just intonation,
65
66
67
68
69
70
E6. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 33/26 413 CENTS
208/203 - 203/198 + 33/26
42 + 43 +413
312/307 » 307/297 - 33/26
28 +57 +413
312/302 + 302/297 - 33/26
56+29 +413
52/51 34/33 + 33/26
34 +52 +413
26/25 : 100/99
: 33/26
68+ 18 +413
78/77 : 28/27 + 33/26
22 +63 +413
The characteristic interval of this genus is the 3/2’s complement of 13/11
and derives from the 22:26:33 triad. The pyknon is 104/99 (85 cents).
E7. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 19/15
71
72
40/39 : 39/38 - 19/15
73
74
60/59 - 59/57 + 19/15
29 + 60 + 409
28/27- 135/133
- 19/15
63 + 26 +409
30/29 + 58/57 - 19/15
44 +45 + 409
409 CENTS
ERATOSTHENES
59 + 30 + 409
The pyknon, 20/19 (89 cents), of this historically important genus is very
close to the Pythagorean limma, 256/243. Number 71 is a good
approximation to Aristoxenos’s enharmonic of 3 + 3 +24 “parts,” and, in fact,
is both Eratosthenes’s enharmonic tuning and Ptolemy’s misinterpretation
of Aristoxenos’s geometric scheme (Wallis 1682, 170). The next two entries
are 2:1 and 1:2 divisions of the pyknon in analogy with the usual Ptolemaic
and later Islamic practices. Number 73 is a hypothetical Ptolemaic
interpretation of a (pseudo-)Aristoxenian 2 + 4 + 24 parts. An echo of this
genus may appear as the sub-4o division found on the fingerboard of the
Tanbur of Baghdad, a stringed instrument (Helmholtz [1877] 1954, 517).
CHAPTER 9
Page 174
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The last species is an analog of Archytas’s enharmonic and the first makes
a 15/13 with the subtonic.
E8. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 81/64
408 CENTS
512/499 - 499/486 - 81/64
45 + 46 + 408
BOETHIUS
79
80
384/371 - 742/729 « 81/64
768/755 : 755/729 - 81/64
40/39 - 416/405 - 81/64
128/125 : 250/243 « 81/64
64/63 : 28/27 : 81/64
60 + 31 + 408
30 + 61 + 408
44 + 46 + 408
4I + 49 + 408
27 +63 + 408
EULER
WILSON
81
324 /238 . 246/329. 81/64
47 + 43 + 408
36/35 « 2240/2187 - 81/64
49 + 41 + 408
75
76
77
78
82
In these tunings the limma, 256/243 (90 cents), has been divided. Number
75 is the enharmonic of Boethius and is obtained by a simple linear division
of the pyknon. It represents Aristoxenos’s enharmonic quite well, but see
the preceding 19/15 genera for a solution more convenient on the
monochord. In practice, the two (numbers 71 and 75) could not be
distinguished by ear. Numbers 76 and 77 are triple divisions of the pyknon,
for which Wilson’s division is a convenient and harmonious approximation.
Number 78 is an approximation to number 75, as is Euler’s “old enharmonic”
(Euler [1739] 1960, 170). Wilson’s tuning (number 80) should also be
compared to the Serre division of the 16/15 (5/4 genus). When number 80
is rearranged, the 28/27 will make a 7/6 with the subtonics hyperhypate or
mese. In this form, it is a possible model for a tuning transitional between
Aristoxenos’s and Archytas’s enharmonics. The purely Pythagorean division
(number 81) is obtained by tuning five fifths down for the limma and
twenty-four up for the double comma. Number 82 is found in Vogel's tuning
(1963, 1967) and resembles Euler’s (number 79).
Eg. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 24/19
404 CENTS
38/37 + 37/36 - 24/19
57/55-55/54" 24/19
46 + 47 + 404
62 + 32 +404
57/56 : 28/27. 24/19
76/75 - 25/24 - 24/19
31 +63 + 404
23+ 71 +404
40/39 « 117/95 : 24/19
44 + 50 +404
WILSON
The pyknon is 19/18 (94 cents). The interval of 24/19 derives from the
16:19:24 minor triad, which Shirlaw attributes to Ousley (Shirlaw 1917, 434)
and which generates the corresponding tritriadic scale. It is the 3/2
complement of 19/16.
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 175
View in PDF(opens in a new window)Ero. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 34/27 399 CENTS
36/35 - 35/34- 34/27
49 + 50 + 399
27/26: 52/51 + 34/27
65 + 34 + 399
go
54/53 > 53/51 + 34/27
32 + 67 + 399
91
24/23 - 69/68 - 34/27
74 + 25 + 399
This genus divides the 18/17 semitone of 99 cents, used by Vincenzo Galilei
in his lute fretting (Barbour 1953; Lindley 1984). These genera are virtually
equally-tempered and number 88 is an excellent approximation to
Aristoxenos’s enharmonic, It is also the first trichromatic of Schlesinger’s
Phrygian harmonia.
92
93
94
95
96
97
Err. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 113/90
240/233 + 233/226 + 113/90
51+ 53 +394
180/173 + 346/339 : 113/90
360/353 : 353/339 - 113/90
394 CENTS
69 + 35+ 394
34 + 70 + 394
30/29 - 116/113 - 113/90
59 +45 + 394
40/39- 117/113 - 113/90
44 + 60 + 394
60/59 : 118/113 » 113/90
29 + 75 + 394
These complex divisions derive from an attempt to interpret in Ptolemaic
terms a hypothetical Aristoxenian genus of 7 + 23 parts. The inspiration came
from Winnington-Ingram’s 1932 article on Aristoxenos in which he
discusses Archytas’s 28/27 - 36/35 : 5/4 enharmonic genus and its absence
from Aristoxenos’s genera, despite the somewhat grudging acceptance of
Archytas’s other divisions. In Aristoxenian terms, Archytas’s enharmonic
would be 4 + 3 + 23 parts, and the first division is 3.5 + 3.5 + 23. Number 95
is the 4 + 3 division and 93 and 94 are 2:1 and 1:2 divisions of the complex
pyknon of ratio 120/113 (104 cents), Numbers 96 and 97 are simplifications,
while number 96 generates an ekbole of 5 dieses (15/13) with the subtonics
hyperhypate and mese.
E12. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 64/51
99
100
IOI
102
34/33 - 33/32 - 64/51
52 + 53 + 393
51/50 - 25/24 - 64/51
34 + 71+ 393
49/48 : 51/49 - 64/51
36 + 69 + 393
68/65. 65/64 : 64/51
68/67 : 67/64 : 64/51
78 +27 + 393
26 + 79 + 393
393 CENTS
The pyknon of this enharmonic genus is 17/16 (ros cents), the seventeenth
harmonic and a basic interval in septendecimal just intonation.
CHAPTER 9
Page 176
View in PDF(opens in a new window)E13. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 5/4 386 CENTS
32/31 + 31/30 + 5/4
55 + 57 + 386
46/45 + 24/23 - 5/4
38 + 74 + 386
105
48/47 47/45 + 5/4
36 + 75 + 386
106
28/27 - 36/35 - 5/4
56/55-22/21 + 5/4
40/39 - 26/25 + 5/4
25/24« 128/125 - 5/4
21/20 - 64/63 : 5/4
256/243 - 81/80 - 5/4
63 +49 + 386
31 + 81 + 386
44 + 68 + 386
71 +41 + 386
84 + 27 + 386
90 + 22 + 386
112
76/75 - 20/19 : 5/4
23 + 89 + 386
113
96/95 + 19/18 : 5/4
136/135 - 18/17 - 5/4
256/255 - 17/16 - 5/4
68/65 «5/4 + 52/51
18 + 94 + 386
13 +99 + 386
7+105 + 386
78 + 386 +34
103
107
108
109
Io
III
114
115
116
DIDYMOS
PTOLEMY
ARCHYTAS
PTOLEMY?
AVIGENNA
SALINAS
PACHYMERES
FOX-STRANGWAYS?
WILSON
HOFMANN
HOFMANN
These tunings are the most consonant of the shades of the enharmonic
genera. Although Plato alludes to the enharmonic, the oldest tuning we
actually have is that of Archytas (390 see). This tuning, number 106, clearly
formed part of a larger musical system which included the subtonic and the
tetrachord synemmenon as well as both the diatonic and chromatic genera
(Winnington-Ingram 1932; Erickson 1965). Didymos’s tuning is the 1:1
division of the 16/15 (112 cents) pyknon and dates from a time when the
enharmonic had fallen out of use. Number 104 is undoubtedly Ptolemy’s
own, but the surviving manuscripts contain an extra page which lists number
107 instead. Wallis believed it to be a later addition, probably correctly.
Numbers 104 and 105 are the 1:2 and 2:1 divisions, given as usual for
illustrative and/or pedagogical purposes. The Avicenna tuning (D'Erlanger
1935, 154) has the 5/4 first in the original, following the usual practice of
the Islamic theorists. In this form, it makes a 15/13 with the subtonic.
Number 109 is Euler’s enharmonic (Euler [1739] 1960, 178); Hawkins,
however, attributes it to Salinas (Hawkins [1776] 1963, 27). Daniélou gives
it in an approximation with 46/45 replacing the correct 128/125 (Daniélou
1943, 175). The Pachymeres enharmonic is attributed by Perrett to Tartini
(Perrett 1926, 26), but Bryennios and Serre also list it.
Number 111 is given as Rag Todi by Fox-Strangways (1916, 121) and as
Gunakali by Daniélou (1959, 134-135). The divisions with extraordinarily
small intervals, numbers 114 and 115, were found by Hofmann in his
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 177
View in PDF(opens in a new window)computation of the 26 possible superparticular divisions of the 4/3 (Vogel
E14. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 8192/6561
117
4374/4235 + 4235/4096 8192/6561
57 + 57 + 384
118
6561/6283 - 6283/6144 : B192/6561
6561/6422 - 3211/3072 - 8192/6561
75 +39 + 384
37 + 77 + 384
119
120
384 CENTS
374/238 . 227/317 . 8192/6561
47 + 68 + 384
The interval 8192/6561 is Helmholtz’s skhismic major third, which is
generated by tuning eight fifths down and five octaves up (Helmholtz [1877]
1954, 432). The pyknon is the apotome, 2187/2048 (x14 cents). It has been
linearly divided in the first three tetrachords above, but a purely Pythagorean
division is given as number 120.
E15. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 56/45
121
30/29 - 29/28 : 56/45
59 + 60 + 379
122
126
45/43 - 43/42 - 56/45
45/44 : 22/21 + 56/45
25/24 - 36/35 : 56/45
80/77-33/32-56/45 ,
60/59 - 59/56 - 56/45
79 + 41 + 379
39 + 53 + 379
71 +49 + 379
66+ 53 + 379
29 + 90 + 379
127
40/39 + 117/112 : 56/45
44 + 76 + 379
128
26/25 - 375/364 + 56/45
68 + 52 + 379
123
124
125
379 CENTS
PTOLEMY
The pyknon is 15/14 (119 cents). Number 121 is Ptolemy’s interpretation
of Aristoxenos’s soft chromatic, 4 + 4 + 22 parts. Number 125 is a Ptolemaic
interpretation of a hypothetical 4.5 + 3.5 + 22 parts, an approximation to
Archytas’s enharmonic (Winnington-Ingram 1932). Number 124 is a
simplification of the former tuning, and numbers 122 and 123 are the
familiar threefold divisions. Number 128 is a summation tetrachord.
129
130
131
E16. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 41/33 376 CENTS
88/85 - 85/82 - 41/33
60 + 62 + 376
42/41 - 22/21 : 41/33
42 +81 + 376
44/43 : 43/41 + 41/43
39 + 82 + 376
This genus is an attempt to approximate a theoretical genus, 62.5 + 62.5 +
375 cents, which would lie on the border between the chromatic and
enharmonic genera. Number 129 is quite close, and numbers 130 and 131
are 1:2 and 2:1 divisions of the complex 44/41 (122 cents) pyknon.
CHAPTER 9
Page 178
View in PDF(opens in a new window)CHROMATIC TETRACHORDS
134
135
136
137
138
Ci. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 36/29 374 CENTS
29/28. 28/27 - 36/29
61 + 63 +374
87/85 «85/81. 36/29
40 + 83 +374
81 + 42 + 374
87/83 - 83/81 - 36/29
This genus is also an approximation to 62.5 + 62.5 + 375 cents. The 36/29 is
from the 24:29:36 triad and tritriadic scale. The pyknon is 29/27 (124
cents).
C2. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 26/21 370 CENTS
28/27 - 27/26. 26/21
63 +65 + 370
SCHLESINGER
21/20
: 40/39 : 26/21
85 + 44+ 370
42/41 : 41/39- 26/21
42 + 87 + 370
24/23 + 161/156: 26/21
74 +55 + 370
This genus divides the pyknon, 14/13 (128 cents) and approximates
Aristoxenos’s soft chromatic. Number 135 is from Schlesinger (1933) and
is a first tetrachord of a modified Mixolydian harmonia.
C3. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 21/17
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
366 CENTS
136/131 + 131/126 « 21/17
65 + 67 + 366
102/97 - 194/189 » 21/17
87 + 45 + 366
43 + 89 + 366
204/199+ 199/189 : 21/17
27 + 105 + 366
64/63 : 17/16 + 21/17
34/33 - 22/21 - 21/17
52 +81 + 366
44+ 88 + 366
40/39- 221/210- 21/17
24/23 + 391/378 + 21/17
74 + 59 + 366
63 + 69 + 366
28/27 - 51/49 - 21/17
The pyknon is 68/63 (132 cents). Number 139 is a very close approximation
of Aristoxenos’s soft chromatic, 4 + 4 + 22 “parts,” as is number 146 also.
Numbers 144 and 146 make intervals of 15/13 and 7/6, respectively, with
their subtonics.
147
C4. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 100/81
27/26 « 26/25 - 100/81
65 + 68 + 365
148
81/77» 77/75 + 100/81
87 + 46 + 365
149
150
ISI
152
81/79 : 79/75 - 100/81
45 + BB + 365
81/80+ 16/15 + 100/81
22+ 112 + 365
51/50: 18/17: 100/81
36/35 - 21/20 - 100/81
34+ 99 + 365
49 + 85 + 365
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
365 CENTS
Page 179
View in PDF(opens in a new window)40/39 - 1053/1000 - 100/81
44 + 89 + 365
135/128 - 128/125 - 100/81
92 +41 +365
DANIÉLOU
24/23 - 207/200. 100/81
74 + 60 + 365
The pyknon is the great limma or large chromatic semitone, 27/25 (133
cents). Daniélou listed his tetrachord in approximate form with 46/45
instead of the correct 128/125. (Daniélou 1943, 175). Number 147 isa close
approximation to Aristoxenos’s soft chromatic, but the rest of the divisions
are rather complex.
Cs. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 37/30
80/77 : 77/74 - 37/30
66 + 69 + 363
363 CENTS
157
158
20/19 - 38/37: 37/30
89 + 46 + 363
40/39 - 39/37 + 37/30
44+ 91 + 363
159
160
30/29: 116/111: 37/30
60/59+ 118/111 37/30
59 + 76 + 363
29 + 106 + 363
PTOLEMY
This complex chromatic genus divides the 40/37 (135 cents). Number 156
is Ptolemy’s linear interpretation of Aristoxenos’s hemiolic chromatic, 4.5
+ 4.5 + 21 “parts,” with its characteristic neutral third and 3/4-tone pyknon.
This division closely approximates his soft chromatic, indicating that
Ptolemy’s interpretation in terms of the aliquot parts of a real string was
erroneous and that Aristoxenos really did mean something conceptually
similar to equal temperament. However, Ptolemy’s approach and the
resulting tetrachords are often interesting in their own right. For example,
number 157 could be considered as a Ptolemaic version of Aristoxenos’s
1/2 + 1/4+ 1 3/4 tones, 6 +3 +21 “parts,” a genus rejected as unmelodic because
the second interval is smaller than the first (Winnington-Ingram 1932). The
remaining genera are experimental.
C6. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 16/13 359 CENTS
26/25 + 25/24 - 16/13
68 + 71 + 359
168
169
39/37 : 37/36: 16/13
91 +47 + 359
39/38 « 19/18- 16/13
45 +94+ 359
65/64 - 16/15 - 16/13
52/51-17/16. 16/13
40/39 + 169/160 - 16/13
28/27 - 117/112 + 16/13
169/168: 14/13
- 16/13
22/21 + 91/88 > 16/13
27 +112 +359
34 + 105 + 359
44 + 95 + 359
63 +76 + 359
II +128 +359
Br + 58 + 359
The pyknon of this genus, which lies between the soft and hemiolic
CHAPTER 9
Page 180
View in PDF(opens in a new window)chromatics of Aristoxenos, is 13/12 (139 cents). Number 169 is a summation
tetrachord from chapter 4.
171
172
173
174
175
C7. CHARACTERISTIG INTERVAL 27/22 355 CENTS
176/169+ 169/162 - 27/22
70 +73 + 358
132/125- 250/243 : 27/22
94 + 49 + 355
264/257+ 257/243 + 27/22
47+ 97 + 355
28/27 - 22/21 - 27/22
63 +81 +355
55/54 - 16/15 : 27/22
32+112+355
40/39 + 143/135 + 27/22
44+ 100+ 355
The Wosta ofZalzal, a neutral third of 355 cents, is exploited in this hemiolic
chromatic genus whose pyknon is 88/81 (143 cents), an interval found in
certain Islamic scales (D’Erlanger 1935).
C8. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 11/9
347 CENTS
24/23 +23/22 + 11/9
74 + 77 + 347
18/17 + 34/33 - 11/9
99 +52 + 347
36/35 ‘35/33 - 11/9
49 + 102 + 347
45/44 16/15 + 11/9
56/55-15/14: 11/9
78/77 «14/13: 11/9
20/19 + 57/55 - 11/9
39+ 112
+ 347
31+ 119+ 347
22 + 128 + 347
89 + 62 + 347
30/29 + 58/55 - 11/9
59 + 92 + 347
28/27 : 81/77 - 11/9
40/39 «117/110 : 11/9
63 + 88 + 347
44 + 107 + 347
WINNINGTON-INGRAM
This genus is the simplest realization of Aristoxenos’s hemiolic chromatic.
Winnington-Ingram mentions number 176 in his 1932 article on Aristoxenos
but rejects it, despite using 12/11 - 11/9 to construct his spondeion scale in
an earlier paper (Winnington-Ingram 1928). In view of the widespread use
of 3/4-tone and neutral third intervals in extant Islamic music and the use
of 12/11 by Ptolemy in his intense chromatic and equable diatonic genera,
I see no problems with accepting Aristoxenos’s genus, 4.5 + 4.5 + 21 “parts,”
as recording an actual tuning, traces of which are still to be found in the
Near East. Ptolemy, it should be remembered, claimed that the intense
chromatic, 22/21 + 12/11 - 7/6, was used in popular lyra and kithara tunings
(Wallis 1682, 84, 178, 208) and that his equable diatonic sounded rather
foreign and rustic. Schlesinger identifies it with the first tetrachord of her
chromatic Phrygian harmonia (Schlesinger 1933; Schlesinger 1939, 214).
The pyknon of this chromatic genus is 12/11 (151 cents). Number 176 may
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 181
View in PDF(opens in a new window)be written as 5 + 5 + 20 Ptolemaic “parts” (120 115 110 90), rather than the
4.5 +4.5 + 21 of Aristoxenian theory. A number of other divisions are shown,
including the usual 1:2 and 2:1, as well as the neo-Archytan 28/27 and
40/39 types.
186
Cg. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 39/32 342 CENTS
256/245 : 245/234> 39/32
76 + 80 + 342
187
384/373 © 373/351 > 39/32
188
192/181 - 362/351 - 39/32
102 + 53 + 342
64/63 - 14/13 + 39/32
27 + 128 + 342
This genus employs the 3/2’s complement of 16/13, the tridecimal neutral
third, found in the 26:32:39 triad. The unusually complex pyknon is
128/117 (156 cents).
190
191
192
193
50 + 105 + 342
Cro. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 28/23 341 CENTS
23/22 + 22/21 + 28/23
76 + 81 + 341
69/65 : 65/63 + 28/23
103 + 54 + 341
69/67 : 67/63 - 28/23
51+ 107 + 341
46/45 : 15/14 + 28/23
38 + 119 + 341
WILSON
This neutral third genus is from Wilson, The pyknon is 23/21 (157
cents).
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
Cir. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 17/14 336 CENTS
112/107 + 107/102 : 17/14
79 + 83 + 336
168/158. 158/153 - 17/14
106 + 56 + 336
168/163 : 163/153 - 17/14
52 + 110+ 336
52/51 - 14/13 - 17/14
34+ 128 + 336
28/27 + 18/17 + 17/14
63 + 99 + 336
35/34 : 16/15 « 17/14
50+ 112
+ 336
40/39 » 91/85 - 17/14
44+ 118 + 336
17/14 + 56/55 - 55/51
336 + 31 + 131
17/14
+ 56/53: 53/51
336 +95
+ 67
This chromatic genus uses Ellis’s supraminor third, 17/14 (Helmholtz [1877]
1954, 455), which occurs in his septendecimal interpretation of the
diminished seventh chord, 10:12:14:17. The pyknon is 56/51 (162 cents).
C12. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 40/33 333 CENTS
22/21 21/20: 40/33
81 +85
+ 333
203
204
205
33/32: 31/30
+ 40/33
108+ 57+ 333
33/32 + 16/15 - 40/33
53 + II2 + 333
206
55/54+ 27/25 - 40/33
32 + 133 + 333
CHAPTER 9
Page 182
View in PDF(opens in a new window)66/65 ‘13/12 - 40/33
26+ 139
+ 333
18/17 + 187/180 . 40/33
99 + 66 + 333
The pyknon of this genus is 11/10 (165 cents), an interval which appears in
Ptolemy’s equable diatonic and elsewhere. Number 208 is a summation
tetrachord from chapter 4.
209
210
211
C13. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 29/24 328 GENTS
64/61 : 61/58 + 29/24
83 + 87 + 328
16/15 : 30/29 + 29/24
112 +59 +328
SCHLESINGER
32/31 < 31/29 « 29/24
55+115 +328
SCHLESINGER
The interval 29/24 is found in some of Schlesinger’s harmoniai when she
tries to correlate her theory of linearly divided octaves with Greek notation
(Schlesinger 1939, 527-8). The results agree neither with the commonly
accepted interpretation of the notation, nor with the canonical forms of the
harmoniai given elsewhere in her book. The 29/24 is also part of the 24:29:36
triad and its 3/2’s complement generates the 36/29 genus. The pyknon is
32/29 (170 cents).
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
C14. CHARACTERISTIG INTERVAL 6/5 316 CENTS
20/19 + 19/18 - 6/5
89 + 94 + 316
ERATOSTHENES
28/27 15/14» 6/5
63 + 119 + 316
PTOLEMY
30/29 : 29/27 - 6/5
59+123 +316
16/15 + 25/24 + 6/5
112 + 71 + 316
DIDYMOS
40/39+ 13/12 + 6/5
44 +139 + 316
BARBOUR
55/54- 12/11 - 6/5
32 +151+316
BARBOUR
65/63 : 14/13 - 6/5
54 +128
+ 316
22/21 - 35/33 - 6/5
81 + 102 + 316
21/20 + 200/189 » 6/5
85 + 97 + 316
PERRETT
256/243 « 6/5. 135/128
90 + 316 + 92
XENAKIS
60/59 : 59/54 : 6/5
29 +153 + 316
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
52/51 - 85/78 - 6/5
100/99 - 11/10: 6/5
34 + 149 + 316
17 + 165 + 316
52+316+ 131
316+ 155 +27
316+41+14I
228
80/77 + 77/72 + 6/5
66 + 116 + 316
24/23 - 115/108 » 6/5
74 + 109 + 316
88/81 : 45/44 « 6/5
143 + 39 + 316
46/45 + 6/5 - 25/23
38+ 316+ 144
229
34/33 6/5 - 55/51
230
231
6/5 + 35/32 - 64/63
6/5 + 2240/2187 : 243/224
177
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
WILSON
HOFMANN
Page 183
View in PDF(opens in a new window)This genus is the most consonant of the chromatic genera. Number 212 is
the chromatic of Eratosthenes and is identical to Ptolemy’s interpretation
of Aristoxenos’s intense chromatic genus. It is likely, however, that
Aristoxenos’s genus corresponds to one of the 32/27 genera. Number 213
is Ptolemy’s soft chromatic and is the 2:1 division reordered, Number 214
is the 1:2 division and a Ptolemaic interpretation of a 4 + 8 + 18 “parts.”
Didymos’s tuning is probably the most consonant, although it violates the
usual melodic canon of Greek theory that the smallest interval must be at
the bottom of the tetrachord. In reverse order, this tuning is produced by
the seventh of Proclus’s ten means (Heath 1921). Archytas’s enharmonic and
diatonic tunings also violate this rule; the rule may either be later or an ideal
theoretical principle. Numbers 216 and 217 are from Barbour (1951, 23).
Perrett’s tetrachord, like one of the 25/21 genera, is found to occur
unexpectedly in his new scale (Perrett 1926, 79). The Xenakis tetrachord
(number 221) is from the article, “Towards a Metamusic,” which has
appeared in different translations in different places (Xenakis 1971). It also
appears in Archytas’s system according to Erickson (1965). The Hofmann
genus is from Vogel (1975). Numbers 230 and 231 are found in Vogel's
tuning (1963, 1967) and chapter 6. The pyknon is the minor tone 10/9 (182
cents).
C15. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 25/21
232
56/53: 53/50
- 25/21
97 +99 + 302
233
234
235
14/13 + 26/25
: 25/21
28/27. 27/25 25/21
21/20 + 16/15-25/21
40/39 + 273/250 è 25/21
128 + 68 +302
63+ 133 +302
84+ 112 +302
44 + 152 + 302
236
302 CENTS
PERRETT
This genus whose pyknon is 28/25 (196 cents) is inspired by number 235,
a tetrachord from Perrett (1926, 80). Number 232 is virtually equally
tempered and number 234 is an excellent approximation to Aristoxenos’s
1/3+2/3+1 1/2 tones, 4+8 +18 “parts.”
237
238
239
240
241
242
C16. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 19/16 298 CENTS
128/121. 121/114- 19/16
97 + 103 +298
96/89 - 178/171 : 19/16
131 + 69 + 298
192/185+ 185/171 - 19/16
64 + 136 + 298
20/19 + 19/16- 16/15
89 +298 + 112
KORNERUP
256/243 + 81/76 - 19/16
90 + 110 +298
BOETHIUS
96/95 : 10/9: 19/16
18 + 182 +298
WILSON
CHAPTER 9
Page 184
View in PDF(opens in a new window)64/63 « 21/19« 19/16
40/39 - 104/95 : 19/16
27 +173 +298
44+157 + 298
The characteristic ratio for this genus derives from the 16:19:24 minor triad
(see the 24/19 genus). The pyknon is the complex interval 64/57 (201 cents).
Number 241 is from Boethius (1838, 6). The Kornerup tetrachord (1934,
10) also corresponds toa Ptolemaic interpretation of one of Athanasopoulos's
(1950) Byzantine tunings, 6+ 18 + 6 “parts.”
As 19/16 20/19. 16/15, itis one
of the “mean” tetrachords.
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
C17. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 32/27 294 CENTS
ARISTIDES QUINT.
18/17 - 17/16 : 32/27
99 + 105 + 294
27/25 + 25/24 - 32/27
133 + 71 + 294
27/26 + 13/12 + 32/27
65 + 139 + 294
BARBOUR?
28/27 - 243/224+ 32/27
63 + 141 + 294
ARCHYTAS
256/243 + 2187/2048 - 32/27
90 +114 + 294
GAUDENTIUS
81/80 - 10/9 - 32/27
22 + 182 + 294
BARBOUR?
33/32 - 12/11 + 32/27
53 +151 +294
BARBOUR?
45/44 + 11/10 + 32/27
39 + 165 + 294
BARBOUR?
21/20 - 15/14+ 32/27
84+ 119 + 294
PERRETT
135/128 - 16/15 + 32/27
92 +112
+ 294
36/35 « 35/32 « 32/27
49+ 155 + 294
WILSON
49/48 - 54/49 : 32/27
36 + 168 + 294
WILSON
PS.-PHILOLAUS?
95
+
109
+
294
243/230- 230/216 - 32/27
103 +IOI+ 294
243/229: 229/216 - 32/27
20/19 - 171/160 : 32/27
23/22 + 99/92 : 32/27
24/23 + 69/64: 32/27
40/39 + 351/320 - 32/27
14/13 - 117/112 + 32/27
89 + II5 + 294
77 + 127 + 294
74+ 130+ 294
44+ 160+ 294
128 + 76 + 294
These chrornatic genera are derived from the traditional “Pythagorean”
tuning (perfect fourths, fifths, and octaves), which is actually of
Sumero-Babylonian origin (Duchesne-Guillemin 1963, 1969; Kilmer 1960),
by changing the pitch of the second string, the parhypate or trite. Number
245, the 1:1 division of the 9/8 pyknon (204 cents), is from from the late
classical writer, Aristides Quintilianus (Meibomius 1652, 123). Tunings
numbers 246 and 254 are of obscure origin. They were constructed after
reading a passage in Hawkins ([1776] 1963, 37) which quotes Wallis as
crediting Mersenne with the discovery of the 27/25 and 135/128 semitones
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 185
View in PDF(opens in a new window)and their 9/8 complements. However, the discussion is about diatonic
genera, not chromatic, and it is unclear to me whether Mersenne really did
construct these two chromatic tetrachords. Archytas’s chromatic, number
248, has been identified with Aristoxenos’s 1/3 + 2/3 + 1 1/2 tones by
Winnington-Ingram (1932) and number 247 is a good approximation to
his 1/2 + 1/2 + 1 1/2 tones. Number 249 is the unaltered Pythagorean version
from Gaudentius. The Barbour tetrachords derive from his discussion of
different superparticular divisions of the 9/8 (Barbour 1951, 154-156).
Although tetrachords are mentioned, it is not clear that he ever actually
constructed these divisions. Perrett discovered number 253, like number
235 above, in his scale after it was constructed. Both Chaignet (1874, 231)
and McClain (1978, 160) quote (Ps.)-Philolaus as dividing the tone into 27
parts, 13 of which go to the minor semitone, and 14 to the major. Number
257 is the result of this division and number 258 has the parts taken in reverse
order. It would seem that number 245 and number 258 are essentially
equivalent to Aristoxenos’s theoretical intense chromatic and that numbers
254, 257, 259, and probably 253 as well, are equivalent to Gaudentius’s
Pythagorean tuning. The presence of secondary ratios of 5 and 7 in number
253 and number 254 suggests that the equivalences would be melodic rather
than harmonic. The last tuning is a summation tetrachord from chapter 4.
264
265
266
267
268
269
C18. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 45/38 293 CENTS
304/287 - 287/270 : 45/38
100 + 106 + 293
456/439 - 439/405 : 45/38
66 + 140 + 293
228/211 : 422/405 : 45/38
134 +71 +293
19/18 - 16/15 - 45/38
94+ 112 +293
76/75 - 10/9 : 45/38
23 + 182 + 293
38/35 - 28/27 + 45/38
142 + 63 + 293
This genus uses the 45/38, the 3/2’s complement of 19/15. The pyknon is
152/135 (205 cents). Number 264 is a reasonable approximation to the
intense chromatic and number 269 is similar to Archytas’s chromatic, if
rearranged with the 28/27 first.
270
271
272
273
274
Cro. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 13/11 289 CENTS
88/83 - 83/78 - 13/11
IOI + 108 + 289
66/61: x22/117: 13/11
136 + 72 + 289
132/127+ 127/117
> 13/11
67 + 142 + 289
14/13
+ 22/21 + 13/11
128 + 81 + 289
40/39 + 11/10- 13/11
44 + 165 + 289
CHAPTER 9
Page 186
View in PDF(opens in a new window)66/65 + 10/9+ 13/11
26 + 182 + 289
27/26 : 88/81. 13/11
65 + 143 + 289
28/27: 99/91 : 13/11
63 +146 + 289
This experimental genus divides a pyknon of 44/39 (209 cents), an interval
also appearing in William Lyman Young’s diatonic lyre tuning (Young 1961).
The 13/11 is a minor third which appears in 13-limit tunings and with its
3/2’s complement, 33/26, generates the 22:26:33 tritriadic scale.
278
279
280
281
282
C20. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 33/28 284 CENTS
224/211 - 211/198 - 33/28
104 + 110 + 284
68 + 145 + 284
336/323 : 323/297 + 33/28
168/155 - 310/297 : 33/28
139+ 74+ 284
31 + 182 + 284
56/55 : 10/9 : 33/28
16/15-35/32: 33/28
112 + 102 + 284
52
+ 284
+ 162
34/33 + 33/28 - 56/51
The characteristic interval of this genus is the 3/2’s complement of 14/11,
33/28. The pyknon is 112/99 (214 cents).
C21. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 20/17
284
285
286
287
288
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
17/16: 16/15 - 20/17
51/47 + 47/45 + 20/17
51/49 - 49/45 - 20/17
34/33 « 11/10: 20/17
51/50- 10/9 - 20/17
40/39 + 221/200 : 20/17
28/27: 153/140 + 20/17
21/20 + 20/17 : 68/63
68/65 - 13/12 - 20/17
34/31 + 31/30- 20/17
68/61 : 61/60: 20/17
68/67- 67/57 - 19/17
68/67 + 67/60 - 20/17
281 CENTS
105 + 112 + 281
142 +75 + 281
69 + 147 + 281
52 + 165 + 281
34 + 182 + 281
44+ 173 + 281
63 +154 + 281
85 + 281 + 132
78 +139 + 281
160+57+281
188 + 29 + 281
26 + 280 + 193
26+ 191 + 281
The pyknon is 17/15 (217 cents). Intervals of 17 are becoming increasingly
common in justly-intoned music. This would appear to be a metaphysical
phenomenon of considerable philosophical interest (Polansky, personal
communication).
297
298
C22. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 27/23 278 CENTS
184/173 - 173/162 + 27/23
107 +114+278
276/265 + 265/243 : 27/23
70 + 150 + 278
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 187
View in PDF(opens in a new window)302
303
304
395
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
138/127 + 254/243 : 27/2
144 + 77 + 278
28/27. 23/21 - 27/23
63 + 157 + 278
23/22 - 88/81 - 27/23
77+143 + 278
46/45 : 10/9 : 27/23
38 + 182 + 278
This genus exploits the 3/2’s complement of 23/18, which is derived from
the 18:23:27 triad. The pyknon is 92/81 (220 cents).
C23. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 75/64 275 CENTS
512/481 : 481/450- 75/64
108 + 115 +275
768/737 © 737/675 « 75/64
384/353 + 706/675 - 75/64
71 + 152 + 275
146 + 78 + 275
16/15 : 75/64: 16/15
II2 +275 + II2
HELMHOLTZ
The pyknon is 256/225 (223 cents). The 75/64 is the 5-limit augmented
second, which appears, for example, in the harmonic minor scale.
Helmholtz’s tetrachord is from (Helmholtz [1877] 1954, 263).
C24. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 7/6 267 CENTS
16/15 - 15/14 - 7/6
112 + 119 + 267
22/21 + 12/11» 7/6
81+151+267
24/23 - 23/21 + 7/6
74+157+ 267
20/19 : 38/35 - 7/6
89 + 142 + 267
10/9 + 36/35 : 7/6
182 + 49 + 267
64/63 - 9/8 . 7/6
27 + 204 + 267
92/01 : 26/23
- 7/6
19 + 212 + 267
256/243 : 243/224 - 7/6
90 + 141 + 267
40/39 © 39/35 - 7/6
44+ 187 + 267
18/17. 7/6 - 68/63
50/49
- 7/6 - 28/25
14/13 + 7/6 - 52/49
46/45 « 180/161 : 7/6
28/27 - 54/49 : 7/6
120/113+ 113/105
: 7/6
60/59 + 118/105 : 7/6
30/29 - 116/105 - 7/6
88/81 - 81/77 - 7/6
120/119. 17/15 + 7/6
27/25 + 7/6 + 200/189
26/25 - 7/6. 100/91
99 + 267 +132
35 + 267+ 196
128 + 267 + 103
38 + 193 + 267
63 + 168 + 267
104+ 127
+ 267
29 + 202 + 267
59 + 172 + 267
143 + 88 + 267
14 + 217 + 267
133 + 267 + 98
68 + 267+ 163
182
CHAPTER 9
AL-FARABI
PTOLEMY
PTOLEMY
AVICENNA
BARBOUR
HIPKINS
Page 188
View in PDF(opens in a new window)7/6 : 1024/945- 135/128
The pyknon of this intense chromatic is the septimal tone, 8/7 (231 cents).
Number 307 is given by Al-Farabi (D’Erlanger 1930, 104) and by Sachs
(1943, 282) in rearranged form as the lower tetrachord of the modern Islamic
mode, Higaz. The Turkish mode, Zirgule, has also been reported to contain
this tetrachord, also with the 7/6 medially (Palmer 1967?). Vincent attributes
this division to the Byzantine theorist, Pachymeres (Vincent 1847). This
tuning is also produced by the harmonic mean operation. Ptolemy’s first
division (number 308) is his intense chromatic (Wallis 1682, 172), and his
second (number 310) is his interpretation of Aristoxenos’s soft diatonic, 6
+9+15 “parts”. In this instance, Ptolemy is not too far from the canonical
100 +150 +250 cents, though Hipkins’s semi-Pythagorean solution (number
314) is more realistic (Vogel 1963). His tuning is also present in Erickson’s
(1965) interpretation of Archytas’s system. The Avicenna tetrachord,
number 311, (D’Erlanger 1935, 152) sounds, surprisingly, rather diatonic.
Barbour’s (1951, 23-24) tuning (number 312) is particularly attractive when
arranged as 9/8 : 64/63 - 7/6. It also generates the 16:21:24 tritriadic and its
conjugate. Vogel (1975, 207) lists it also. Number 328 is found in Vogel's
tuning (chapter 6 and Vogel 1963, 1967). The remaining divisions are new
tetrachords intended as variations on the soft diatonic-intense chromatic
genus or as approximations of various Byzantine tetrachords as described
by several authors (Xenakis 1971; Savas 1965; Athanasopoulos 1950).
329
330
331
332
C25. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 136/117 261 GENTS
78/73 : 73/68 - 136/117
115 + 123 + 261
117/112 + 56/51 - 136/117
76 + 162 + 261
117/107 107/102 : 136/117
155 +83 + 261
52/51. 9/8 - 136/117
34+ 204 + 261
The pyknon of this complex genus is 39/34 (238 cents). Number 332
generates the 26:34:39 tritriadic.
C26. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 36/31
333
334
335
259 CENTS
115 + 124+ 259
31/29 + 29/27: 36/31
+ 163 + 259
76
93/89 - 89/81 - 36/31
156 + 83 + 259
93/85 - 85/81 + 36/31
The pyknon is 31/27 (239 cents). The 36/31 is the 3/2’s complement of
31/24, which defines a hyperenharmonic genus.
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 189
View in PDF(opens in a new window)339
C27. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 80/69 256 CENTS
46/43 - 43/40: 80/69
117 + 125 + 256
23/21: 21/20.80/69
157 + 85 + 256
23/22. 11/10. 80/69
77 + 165 + 256
38 + 204+ 256
46/45: 9/8 + 80/69
The genus derives from number 339 which generates the 20:23:30 and
46:60:69 tritriadics. The pyknon is 23/20 (242 cents). This and the next few
genera are realizations of Aristoxenos’s soft diatonic.
340
341
342
343
C28. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 22/19 254 CENTS
118 + 126 + 254
76/71: 71/66: 22/19
57/52: 104/99- 22/19
159 + 85 + 254
78 + 167 + 254
114/109 - 109/99 - 22/19
SCHLESINGER
19/18: 12/11 - 22/19
94+ 151 + 254
344.
34/33: 19/17: 22/19
52 + 192 + 254
345
40/39 : 247/220 - 22/19
44+ 200 + 254
This genus is a good approximation to the soft diatonic. Number 343 is from
a folk scale (Schlesinger 1939, 297). Tetrachord numbers 344 and 345 are
close to 3 + 12 + 15 “parts”, a neo-Aristoxenian genus which mixes
enharmonic and diatonic intervals. The pyknon is 38/33 (244 cents).
346
C29. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 52/45 250 CENTS
15/14: 14/13 : 52/45
119 + 128 + 250
347
348
349
45/41-41/39 - 52/45
45/43 43/39 - 52/45
24/23 115/104- 52/45
161 + 87 + 250
78 + 169 + 250
74+ 174+ 250
350
40/39 - 9/8 52/45
44+ 204+ 250
351
18/17-85/78.
52/45
99 + 149+ 250
352
45/44:44/39: 52/45
39 + 209 + 250
353
354
65/63 28/25- 52/45
55/52
- 12/11-52/45
54 + 196+ 250
97+ 151 +250
355
60/59: 59/45 : 52/45
29 +219
+ 250
356
357
358
20/19-52/45: 57/52
89 + 250 + 149
27/26: 10/9: 52/45
66+ 182 + 250
11/10- 150/143 + 52/45
165 + 83 + 250
This genus lies on the dividing line between the chromatic and diatonic
genera. The pyknon of 15/13 (248 cents) is virtually identical to the CI which
defines the genus. The first three subgenera are the 1:1, 2:1, and 1:2 divisions
respectively. Number 350 generates the 10:13:15 tritriadic scale.
CHAPTER 9
Page 190
View in PDF(opens in a new window)DIATONIC TETRACHORDS
Di. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 15/13 248 GENTS
104/97: 97/90- 15/13
124 + 126 + 248
360 78/71. 142/135: 15/13
163 + 86+ 248
361
156/149 - 149/135 - 15/13
79 + 171 + 248
362
16/15 + 15/13 + 13/12
112 +248 + 139
SCHLESINGER
363
26/25 - 10/9 + 15/13
68 + 182 + 248
364 256/243 : 351/320 «15/13
90
+ 160 + 248
365 «= - 20/19 + 247/225+ 15/13
89 + 161 + 248
366 = 11/10. 15/13 - 104/99
165 + 248 + 85
367
12/11 -15/13 - 143/135
151+248
+ 99
368 46/45-26/23 - 15/13
38 +212 + 248
369 40/39 - 169/150 - 15/13
44 + 206 + 248
370 28/27-39/35 - 15/13
63 + 187 + 248
371
91/90: 8/7: 15/13
19 + 231 + 248
This genus is the first indubitably diatonic genus. A pyknon, perse, no longer
exists because the 52/45 (250 cents) is larger than one-half the perfect fourth,
4/3 (498 cents). The large composite interval in this and succeeding genera
is termed the “apyknon” or non-condensation (Bryennios). Number 362 is
the first tetrachord of Schlesinger’s diatonic Hypodorian harmonia. Many
members of this genus are reasonable approximations to Aristoxenos’s soft
diatonic genus, 100 + 150 + 250 cents. Others with the 15/13 medially are
similar to some Byzantine tunings. Some resemble the theoretical genus 50
+200 +250 cents.
372
373
374
D2. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 38/23 244 CENTS
44/41: 41/38 - 38/33
123 + 131 +244
11/10
- 20/19 - 38/33
165 + 89 + 244
22/21-21/19 38/33
81 + 173 + 244
This genus divides the 22/19 (254 cents).
375
376
377
378
379
380
D3. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 23/20 242 GENTS
160/149: 149/138 - 23/20
123 +133 + 242
166 + 90 + 242
120/109. 218/207 : 23/20
81+175+242
240/229- 229/207 - 23/20
231+25+242
8/7. 70/69 : 23/20
44 + 212 + 242
40/39 - 26/23 - 23/20
74 + 242 + 182
SCHLESINGER
24/23 + 23/20- 10/9
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 191
View in PDF(opens in a new window)384
385
28/27- 180/161 : 23/20
63 + 193 + 242
This genus is derived from the 20:23:30 triad. The apyknon is 80/69 (256
cents), Number 380 is from Schlesinger (1932) and is described as a
harmonia of “artificial formula, Phrygian”. Numbers 379 and 381 make
intervals of 15/13 and 7/6 respectively with their subtonics. These intervals
should be contrasted with the incomposite 23/20 in the tetrachord.
Dq. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 31/27 239 CENTS
125+ 134
+ 239
72/67 - 67/62 : 31/27
108/103 : 103/93 : 31/27
82+177+ 239
168
+ 91 + 239
54/49 + 98/93 - 31/27
32/31 - 9/8 - 31/27
55+204+ 239
The apykmon of this genus is 36/27 (259 cents). Number 385 generates the
24:31:36 tritriadic.
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
Ds. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 39/34 238 CENTS
125 +135 +238
272/253 + 253/234+ 39/34
83 + 178+ 238
408/389 - 389/351 : 39/34
169
+ 91 + 238
204/185 - 370/351 + 39/34
44+ 2384217
40/39 - 39/34 + 17/15
The apyknon is 136/117 (261 cents). The 39/34 interval is the 3/2’s
complement of 17/13 and derives from the 26:34:39 triad.
D6. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 8/7 231 CENTS
128+ 139+ 231
AVICENNA
14/13 - 13/12 - 8/7
19/18 . 21/19 + 8/7
94 +173 + 231
SAFIYU-D-DIN
21/20: 10/9 : 8/7
84+ 182 + 231
PTOLEMY
28/27 - 8/7 + 9/8
63 + 231 + 204
ARCHYTAS
49/48 - 8/7 + 8/7
36+ 231+ 231
AL-FARABI
35/33 - 11/10 - 8/7
102 + 165 + 231
AVICENNA
II6 +151 +231
AVICENNA
77/72 + 12/11 «8/7
16/15: 35/32 + 8/7
II2+155 + 231
VOGEL
5O+217+ 231
35/34 + 17/15 + 8/7
25/24 + 8/7 + 28/25
71+231+196
119+ 231 + 147
15/14 + 8/7 : 49/45
40/39 - 91/80 - 8/7
44 +223 + 231
46/45 - 105/92 - 8/7
38 +229+ 231
18/17 - 119/108 - 8/7
99 +168
+ 231
17/16 - 8/7: 56/51
105 +231 + 162
52+215 +231
34/33 : 77/68 « 8/7
CHAPTER 9
Page 192
View in PDF(opens in a new window)256/243 : 567/512 : 8/7
90 +177 + 231
This genus divides the 7/6 (267 cents). The Avicenna and Al-Farabi
references are from D’Erlanger. Number 390 is also given by Pachymeres
(D’Erlanger 1935, 148 referring to Vincent 1847). When arranged as
13/12 14/13 - 8/7, itis generated by taking two successive arithmetic means.
Number 394 is especially interesting as there have been reports that it was
used on organs in the Middle Ages (Adler 1968; Sachs 1949), but more recent
work suggests that this opinion was due to a combination of transmission
errors (by copyists) and an incorrect assessment of end correction (Barbour
1950; Munxelhaus 1976). With the 49/48 medially, it is generated by the
twelfth of the Greek means (Heath 1921). The scale is obviously constructed
in analogy with the Pythagorean 256/243 : 9/8 - 9/8. Similar claims pro and
con have been made for number 393 as well. This scale, however, appears
to have been the principal tuning of the diatonic in practice from the time
of Archytas (390 8GE) through that of Ptolemy (ca. 160 ce). Even Aristoxenos
grudgingly mentions it (Winnington-Ingram 1932). Number 397 is from
Vogel (1963) and approximates the soft diatonic. It
is also found in Erickson’s
(1965) version of Archytas’s system. Entry 399 corresponds to 3/8 + 1 1/8
+ I tones of Aristoxenos. The Safiyu-d-Din tuning is one of his “strong”
forms (2:1 division) and has 21/19 replacing the 10/9 of Ptolemy.
Tetrachords 403, 404, and 405 exploit ratios of 17 and are dedicated to Larry
Polansky.
407
4o8
409
410
D7. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 256/225 223 CENTS
150/139+ 139/128
: 256/225
132+ 143 +223
225/214- 107/96 + 256/225
87 + 188
+ 223
225/203 + 203/192 - 256/225
78+96+223
25/24 : 9/8 . 256/225
71 +204
+ 223
The apyknon is the augmented second, 75/64 (275 cents). Number 410 is
the generator of the 64:75:96 tritriadic and a good approximation to
Aristoxenos’s 3/8 +1 1/8 + 1 tone when reordered so that the 9/8 is
uppermost.
411
412
413
414
415
D8. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 25/22 221 CENTS
176/163 : 163/150 - 25/22
133 + 144+ 221
132/119 + 238/225 + 25/22
179 + 97 +221
264/251: 251/225 «25/22
87+189+ 221
16/15 + 11/10 + 25/22
112 + 165 + 221
88/81 : 27/25 + 25/22
143 +133 +221
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 193
View in PDF(opens in a new window)22/21: 25/22
- 28/25
81 + 221 + 196
28/27 - 198/175 + 25/22
63 + 214+ 221
26/25 - 44/39 « 25/22
68 + 209+ 221
This is an experimental genus whose apyknon is 88/7 5 (277 cents). Number
416 isa fair approximation of Aristoxenos’s 3/8 +1 1/8 + 1 tones, and number
411 is close to a hypothetical 11/16+11/16+1 1/8 tones.
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
Dg. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 92/81 220 GENTS
133 + 144 + 220
27/25 + 25/23 - 92/81
88 + 190+ 220
81/77 + 77/69 : 92/81
180+98+ 220
81/73 : 73/69 - 92/81
74 + 204+ 220
24/23 : 9/8 + 92/81
66
+ 212 + 220
27/26- 26/23 - 92/81
This genus divides the 27/23 (278 cents) and is derived from the 18:23:27
triad. Number 422 is the tritriadie generator, and is an approximation to
Aristoxenos’s 3/8+11/8+1 tones (4.5+13.5+12 “parts”) when reordered.
Dio. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 76/67 218 CENTS
67/62 - 62/57 - 76/67
134+ 146 + 218
201/181 - 181/171 : 76/67
181 + 98 + 218
201/191 - 191/171 : 76/67
88 + 191 + 218
256/243 - 76/67 : 5427/4864
90+ 218+ 190
EULER
This complex genus is expanded from number 427, which is called “old
chromatic” in Euler’s text (Euler [1739] 1960, 177). The tuning is clearly
diatonic, however, and must be in error. It may have been intended to
represent Boethius’s 19/16 (76/64) chromatic. The apyknon is 67/57 (280
cents).
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
Dir. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 17/15 217 CENTS
135 + 146 + 217
40/37 « 37/34: 17/15
10/9 18/17: 17/15
182+99+ 217
KORNERUP
20/19+ 19/17+ 17/15
89 + 192 + 217
PTOLEMY
15/14 + 56/61: 17/15
119+ 162 +217
80/77 : 77/68 « 17/15
66 + 215 + 217
12/11 - 55/51 - 17/15
I§l +131 +217
120/109: 109/102 : 17/15
166+ 115 +217
104+ 177 +217
120/113 + 113/102 + 17/15
24/23 - 115/102 : 17/15
74 +208 +217
160/153 : 9/8 - 17/15
77+ 204+ 217
This genus divides the 20/17 (281 cents). Number 429 is Kornerup’s (1934,
CHAPTER 9
Page 194
View in PDF(opens in a new window)to) Lydian. Genus number 430 is Ptolemy’s interpretation of Aristoxenos’s
intense diatonic, 6 + 12 + 12 “parts” (Wallis 1682, 172). Kornerup refers to
it as Dorian. Number 432 is a hypothetical Ptolemaic interpretation of 4.5
+ 13.5 + 12 “parts”, a mixed chromatic and diatonic genus not in Ptolemy.
Number 437 generates the 34:40:51 triad and tritriadic. The remaining
divisions are experimental neo-Aristoxenian genera with a constant upper
interval of 12 “parts.”
438
439
440
441
442
Diz. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 112/99 214 CENTS
136 + 148 + 214
66/61 - 61/56 - 112/99
90 + 195 + 214
99/94: 47/42 + 112/99
184 + 100 + 214
99/89: 89/84- 112/99
182 + 102 + 214
10/9 : 297/280- 112/99
81
+ 204+ 214
22/21 + 9/8 - 112/99
This very complex genus divides the 33/28 (284 cents). Number 442
generates the 22:28:33 tritriadic and its conjugate.
443
444
445
D13. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 44/39 209 CENTS
151 + 139 + 209
12/11: 13/12 + 44/39
187 + 102 + 209
39/35 « 35/33 44/39
QI
+ 198 + 209
39/37 - 37/33 : 44/39
209 + 204 +85
44/39 - 9/8 - 104/99
YOUNG
The first division is William Lyman Young’s “exquisite 3/4-tone Hellenic
lyre” (Young 1961, 5). The apyknon is 13/11 (289 cents). Number 446
generates the 22:26:33 tritriadic scale.
447
448
449
450
D14. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 152/135
90/83 : 83/76- 152/135
140 + 153 + 205
135/128
: 64/57: 152/135
92 + 201 + 205
135/121 - 121/114< 152/135
190 + 103 + 205
20/19
+ 9/8 . 152/135
89 + 204 + 205
205 CENTS
This genus derives from the 30:38:45 triad and divides its upper interval,
45/38 (293 cents). Number 450 generates the 30:38:45 tritriadic and its
conjugate.
Dis. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 9/8
451
452
453
454
64/59 - 59/54 9/8
48/43 - 86/81 - 9/8
96/91 - 91/81 - 9/8
256/243 : 9/8 - 9/8
189
204 CENTS
141 + 153 + 204
190 + 104 + 204
93 + 202 + 204
90 + 204 + 204
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
SAFIYU-D-DIN
SAFIYU-D-DIN
PYTHAGORAS?
Page 195
View in PDF(opens in a new window)16/15 - 9/8 - 10/9
2187/2048 - 65536/59049 -9/8
9/8 « 12/11 - 88/81
13/12 - 9/8 - 128/117
14/13 + 9/8 : 208/189
9/8 : 11/10 + 320/297
9/8 - 15/14 : 448/405
112 + 204 + 182
114+ 180 + 204
204 + 151 + 143
139 + 204 + 156
128 + 204 + 166
204 + 165 + 129
204 +119 + 175
462
9/8 - 17/16. 512/459
204 + 105 + 189
463
9/8 - 18/17 : 272/243
204 + 99 + 195
9/8 - 19/18 : 64/57
204 + 94+ 201
56/51 © 9/8 - 68/63
162 + 204 + 132
9/8. 200/189 : 28/25
204
+ 98 + 196
184/171 : 9/8 . 76/69
127 + 204 + 167
32/29 + 9/8 . 29/27
170
+ 204 + 124
121/108 «9/8. 128/121
197 + 204 + 97
PARTCH
9/8. 4096/3645 : 135/128
204 + 202 + 92
9/8. 7168/6561 : 243/224
204 +153 + I4I
35/32 - 1024/945 : 9/8
204 + 139 + 204
The apyknon of this genus is 32/27 (294 cents). Numbers 451 and 452 are
Safiyu-d-Din’s weak and strong forms of the division, respectively. The
455
456
457
458
459
460
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
PTOLEMY, DIDYMOS
ANONYMOUS
AVICENNA
AVICENNA
AVICENNA
AL-FARABI
attribution of the tetrachord number 454 to Pythagoras is questionable,
though traditional—the diatonic scale in “Pythagorean” intonation
antedates him bya millennium or so in the Near East (Duchesne-Guillemin
1963, 1969). The earliest reference to this scale in a European language is
in Plato’s Timaeus. Number 455 is attributed to both Ptolemy and Didymos
because their historically important definitions differed in the order of the
intervals, Ptolemy’s is the order shown; Didymos placed the 9/8 at the top.
Ptolemy’s order generates the major mode in just intonation. Its retrograde,
10/9 - 9/8 - 16/15, yields the natural minor and new scale of Redfield (1928).
Number 456 is a “Pythagorean” form extracted from the anonymous treatise
in D’Erlanger (1939). In reverse order, it appears in the Turkish scales of
Palmer (1967?). Numbers 457-460 are also from D’Erlanger. Numbers 457
and 458 generate the 18:22:27 and 26:32:39 tritriadics and their conjugates.
These and the tetrachord from Al-Farabi, number 459, resemble modern
Islamic tunings (Sachs 1943, 283). Numbers 464 and 465 generate the
16:19:24 and the 14:17:21 tritriadics. In theory, any tetrachord containing
a 9/8 generates a tritriadic and its conjugate, but in practice the majority
CHAPTER 9
Page 196
View in PDF(opens in a new window)are not very consonant. Examples are numbers 467 and 468 which generate
the 38:46:57 and 24:29:36 tritriadics with mediants of 23/19 and 29/24.
Number 469 is an adventitious tetrachord from Partch (1974, 165).
Numbers 470-472 are from chapter 4. The last two resemble some of the
Islamic tunings of the Middle Ages. The remaining tunings are proposed
approximations to Islamic or syntonic diatonic tetrachords.
473
D16. CHARACTERISTIG INTERVAL 160/143 194 CENTS
165 +139 + 194
11/10: 13/12 - 160/143
AL-FARABI
This tetrachord is from Al-Farabi (D’Erlanger 1930, 112). It did not seem
worthwhile to explore this genus further because the ratios would be complex
and often larger than 160/143 itself.
474
475
476
D17. CHARACTERISTIC INTERVAL 10/9 182 CENTS
12/11 - 11/10 + 10/9
151 +165 + 182
10/9- 10/9 - 27/25
182 + 182 + 133
10/9 « 13/12 » 72/65
182 + 139 + 177
PTOLEMY
AL-FARABI
AVICENNA
The apyknon is 6/5 and the majority of potential divisions have intervals larger
than the 10/9. Number
474 is Ptolemy’s homalon or equable diatonic, a scale
which has puzzled theorists, but which seems closely related to extant tunings
in the Near East. Ptolemy described it as sounding rather foreign and rustic.
Could he have heard it or something similar and written it down in the simplest
ratios available? It certainly sounds fine, perhaps a bit like 7-tone equal
temperament with perfect fourths and fifths. The Avicenna and Al-Farabi
references are from D’Erlanger (1935), and Ptolemy (Wallis 1682).
Reduplicated tetrachords
These genera are arranged by the reduplicated interval in descending order
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
ofsize.
11/10: 11/10 400/363
165 +165+168
12/11 + 12/11 + 121/108
ISI +151 +197
13/12 + 13/12 + 192/169
139+139+221
14/13 - 14/13 - 169/147
128+128 +241
15/14: 15/14: 784/675
119+119+259
2187/2048 «167772 16/14348907 + 2187/2048
114+271+114
17/16: 17/16. 1024/867
105 +105 +288
AVICENNA
AVICENNA
AVICENNA
AVICENNA
PALMER
RI
2
R3
R4
RS
RÓ
R7
18/17 - 18/17 + 289/243
99 +99 + 300
R8
256/243 256/243 -19688/16384
22/21. 147/121 «22/21
90+90+318
81+337+81
RQ
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 197
View in PDF(opens in a new window)25/24: 25/24 -768/625
488
28/27: 28/27.243/196
63 +63 +372
RIT
RI2
489
34/33 + 34/33 - 363/289
52 +52 +395
RI3
490
491
492
36/35-36/25-1225/972
49 +49 +401
RI4
40/39: 40/39 : 507/400
44+44+410
RIS
46/45 - 46/45 675/529
38+38+422
RIG
While a number of other small intervals could be used to construct analogous
genera, the ones given here seem the most important and most interesting.
Number 477 is an approximation in just intonation to the equally tempered
division of the 4/3. See number 722 for the semi-tempered version. The
Avicenna genera are from vol. 2, pages 122-123 and page 252 of D’Erlanger.
The Palmer genus is from his booklet on Turkish music (1967?). This genus
is very close to Helmholtz’s chromatic 16/15 - 75/64 - 16/15. The 18/17 genus
is also nearly equally tempered and is inspired by Vincenzo Galilei’s lute
fretting (Barbour 1951, 57). Number 486 is nearly equal to 1/1 1/3 4/n
4/3, a theoretical genus using intervals of 11 to approximate intervals of x.
Numbers 487 and 488 come from Winnington-Ingram’s (1932) suggestion
that Aristoxenos’s soft and hemiolic chromatics were somewhat factitious
genera resulting from the duplication of small, but known, intervals. The
remaining tetrachords are in the spirit of Avicenna and Al-Farabi.
Miscellaneous tetrachords
The tetrachords in this section are those that were discovered in the course
of various theoretical studies but which were not judged to be of sufficient
interest to enter in the Main Catalog. Many of these genera have unusual
Cls which were not thought worthy of further study. The fourth and fifth
columns give the ratio of the pyknon or apyknon and its value in cents.
493
494
176/175 - 175/174. + 29/22
25/19 ‘931/925 - 148/147
10+ 10 + 478
475 +11 +12
88/87
76/75
20
23
MI
M2
This tetrachord is generated by the second of the summation procedures
495
496
of chapter 5.
128/127 + 127/126 » 21/16
21/16 + 656/651 124/123
14+ 14+ 471
471+13+14
64/63
64/63
27
27
M3
M4
52/51
52/51
34
34
M5
M6
Another summation tetrachord from chapter 4.
497
498
104/103 + 103/102 - 17/13
17+17+464
17/13 :429/425 + 100/99
464+ 16+ 17
Another summation tetrachord from chapter 4.
CHAPTER 9
Page 198
View in PDF(opens in a new window)98/97 + 97/96. 64/49
SOI
502
92/91 91/90: 30/23
18 + 18 + 462
19+19+460
49/48
46/45
90/89 - 89/88 - 176/135
88/87-87/86. 43/33
19+20+459
20+20+458
45/44
44/43
593
86/85 - 85/84- 56/43
84/83 - 83/
- 82
82/63
20+20+457
43/42
21+21+456
41
42/41
MII
504
505
42
MI2
21+22+455
41/40
43
M1
82/81-81/80: 160/123
36
38
39
40
M7
M8
M9
MIO
These genera contain intervals which are probably too small for use in most
music. However, Harry Partch and Julián Carrillo, among others, have used
intervals in this range.
506
13/10 - 250/247 : 76/74
454+21+23
40/39
44
MIQ
Another summation tetrachord from chapter 4.
507
508
509
510
SII
78/77 77/76 152/117
76/75 76/75 74/57
74/73 : 73/72 48/31
22+23+453
23+23+452
24+24+451
39/38
38/37
37/36
45
46
47
MIS
MIG
MI7
70/69
: 69/68 - 136/105
254254448
35/34
so
mM18
22/17 + 357/352 + 64/63
446+24+27
34/33
52
MIg
29/28
61
M20
Another summation tetrachord from chapter 4.
512
58/57 57/56 + 112/87
513
514
87/80
: 43/42 + 112/87
20+41+437
29/28
61
M2I
87/85-85/84. 112/87
40+20+437
29/28
61
M22
The preceding are a set of hyperenharmonic genera which divide the dieses
30+31+437
between 40/39 and 28/27. Similar but simpler genera will be found in the
Main Catalog. Small intervals in this range are clearly perceptible, but have
been rejected by most theoreticians, ancient and modern.
515
68/53 + 53/52: 52/51
431+33+34
53/51
67
M23
516
136/133 + 133/130
» 65/51
34+34+420
68/65
78
M24
517
68/67 : 67/65 : 65/51
34/33 : 66/65 + 65/51
68/67 : 67/54 + 18/17
26+52+420
52+26+420
26+373+99
68/65
68/65
72/76
78
78
125
M25
M26
M27
25/24: 32/31 + 31/25
68/55 : 55/54« 18/17
71+55+372
367 +32+99
100/93
55/51
126
131
M28
M29
68/67 : 67/63 : 21/17
68/65 : 65/63 + 21/17
26 + 107 +366
78+54+366
68/63
68/63
132
132
M30
M31
36/35: 256/243 + 315/256
49+90+359
1024/9045
139
M32
+ 315/256
64/63 - 16/15
27+112+359
1024/9455
139
M33
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
Numbers 524 and 525 are from Vogel's PIS tuning of chapter 6.
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 199
View in PDF(opens in a new window)64/63 : 2187/2048 896/729
36/35 «135/128
- 896/729
27+114+357
49+92+357
243/224
243/224
141
I4I
M34
M35
This tuning is a close approximation to one produced by the eighth mean
528
529
530
531
532
(Heath 1921) of chapter 4. It also occurs in Erickson’s analysis of Archytas’s
system and in Vogel’s tuning (chapter 6 and Vogel 1963, 197).
28/27-2187/1792-256/243
63 + 345 +90
7168/6561 153
M36
This tetrachord appears in Erickson’s commentary on Archytas’s system
with trite synemmenon (112/81, B,-) added.
16/15-2240/2187-2187/1792 112+41+345
7168/6561 153
M37
28/27-128/105:135/128
63 +343 +92
35/32
141
M38
Numbers 528-530 are from Vogel’s PIS tuning of chapter 6.
17/16-32/31.62/51
105+55+338
34/31
160 M39
20/19: 57/47-47/45
89 +334 +75
188/171
164 M4o
Number 532 is a possible Byzantine chromatic.
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
360/349-349/327-109/90
54+113+332
120/109
166 M4I
24/23.115/109- 109/90
74 +94 +332
120/109
166
M42
Number 534 is a hypothetical Ptolemaic interpretation of 5 +6+ 19 “parts”,
after Macran (1902).
240/229 -229/218- 109/90
81+85+332
120/109
166 M43
19/18
- 24/23 + 23/19
94+74+330
76/69
167
M44
15/14 - 36/35 98/81
119+49+330 54/49
168 M45
Number 537 occurs in Other Music’s gamelan tuning (Henry S. Rosenthal,
personal communication).
28/27. 16/15 - 135/112
63 +112+323
448/405
175
M46
24/23 115/96 - 16/15
74+313 +112
128/115
185
M47
A Ptolemaic interpretation of Xenakis’s 5+19+6 “parts” (1971).
256/243 - 243/230 - 115/96
90 +95 +313
128/115
185
Maß
68/67 - 67/56 - 56/51
26+310+162
224/201
88
M49
68/57- 19/18 - 18/17
305+94+99
19/17
193
M50
15/14: 266/255 - 68/57
119+73+305
10/17
193
MSI
256/243: 243/229: 229/192
90+103+305 256/192
193
M52
32/31-13/12: 31/26
240/227. 227/214+ 107/90
55+139 +304
96+102+300
104/93
120/107
194
199
M53
M54
360/347: 347/321-107/90
64+135+300
120/107
199
M55
This genus is related to (Ps.)-Philolaus’s division as 6.5 + 6.5 + 17 “parts”.
See also chapter 4.
7168/6561: 36/35-1215/1024 153 +49+296 4096/3645 202
194 CHAPTER 9
Page 200
View in PDF(opens in a new window)552
553
554
16/15-1215/1024-256/243
112+296+90 4096/3635 202
M57
28/27 - 1014/9045 1215/1024 63+139+296
4096/3635 202
M58
Numbers 548-5 50 are from Vogel’s PIS tuning of chapter 6.
120/113 - 113/106 - 53/45
104+111+283 60/53
215
M59
180/173 + 173/159 + 53/45
69+146+283
60/53
215
M6O
90/83 - 166/159 - 53/45
140+75+283
60/53
215
M6I
24/23: 115/106 - 53/45
74+141+283
60/53
215
M62
Number 554 is a hypothetical Ptolemaic interpretation of 5 + 9 + 16 “parts.”
The others, numbers 551, 552, and 553 are 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 divisions of the
555
556
557
pyknon.
34/29: 58/57: 19/17
10/9 + 117/100 - 40/39
120/113 - 113/97 + 97/90
275+30+193
58/51
182+272+44
400/351
104+ 264+130 388/339
223
226
234
M63
MÓ4
M65
This genus is a Ptolemaic interpretation of Xenakis’s 7+ 16+7 “parts.”
558
13/12: 55/52: 64/55
139+97 +262
55/48
236
M66
This genus is generated by the second ratio mean of chapter 4.
559
560
561
562
563
564
68/65. 65/56. 56/51
78+258+162
224/195
240 M67
12/11: 297/256
- 256/243
151+257+90
1024/8901
241
M68
28/27 : 81/70 + 10/9
63+253+182
280/243
245
M69
This tetrachord is also found in Erickson’s article on Archytas’s system with
trite synemmenon (112/81, B,-) added. It also occurs in Vogel’s PIS tuning
of chapter 6.
81/70 2240/2187 + 9/8
253+41+204
280/243
245
M70
81/70: 256/243 + 35/32
253+90+155
280/243
245
M71
135/128. 7168/6561 «81/70
92+153+253
280/243
245
M72
These three tetrachords are from Vogel’s PIS tuning of chapter 6.
565
566
60/59: 59/51-17/15
40/37 - 37/32: 16/15
29+252+217
135+251+112
68/59
128/111
246
247
M73
M74
This is a Ptolemaic interpretation of Athanasopoulos’s 9 + 15 + 6 “parts.”
569
16/15 : 280/243 - 243/224
36/35 - 9/8 - 280/243
8/7 - 81/80 : 280/243
570
571
46/45 + 132/115 - 25/22
16/15-12/11: 55/48
567
568
112+245+14I
49+204+245
231+22+245
81/70
81/70
81/70
253
253
253
M75
M76
M77
These three tetrachords are from Vogel’s PIS tuning of chapter 6.
38+239+221
112+151+236
115/99
64/55
259
262
M78
M79
This is an approximation to the soft diatonic of Aristoxenas, 1/2 + 3/4 +
1 1/4 tones, 6 + 9 +15 “parts.”
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 201
View in PDF(opens in a new window)575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
59°
591
592
593
10/9 - 63/55 : 22/21
182+235+81
220/189
263
M8o
This is another tetrachord from Partch ([1949] 1974, 165), presented as an
approximation to a tetrachord of the “Ptolemaic sequence,” or major mode
in s-limit just intonation.
30/29
- 116/103 - 103/90
59+206+234
120/103
264 MBI
360/343 : 343/309 - 103/90
84+181+234
120/103
264 M82
40/39 - 143/125 - 25/22
44+233+221
600/429
265
M83
68/65 » 65/57 - 19/17
78+227+193
76/65
271
M84
256/243 - 729/640 - 10/9
90+225+182
2560/2187 273
M85
30/29 58/51 - 17/15
59+223+217
34/29
275 M86
23/21 - 14/13 - 26/23
158+128+212 46/39
286 M87
23/22-44/39: 26/23
77+209+212
46/39
286 M88
14/13 260/231. 11/10
128+205 +165 77/65
293
M89
4096/3645 - 35/32 243/224
202+155+I4I 1215/1024 296 MgO
From Vogel’s PIS tuning of chapter 6.
38/35-35/32: 64/57
142 +155+201 19/16
298 Mor
19/17: 17/16-64/57
193 +I05 +201 19/16
298
M92
11/10 : 95/88 . 64/57
165 +135 +201 19/16
298 M93
The apyknon of genera numbers 583-585 is 19/16. The 1:2 division is listed
as DIS (9/8), number 464.
240/221. 221/202 . 101/90
143+156+200 120/101
298 MO4
15/14: 112/101 101/90
II9+179+200 120/101
298 M95
120/113 - 113/101 + 101/90
104 +194+200 120/101
298 M96
533/483 - 575/533 + 28/25
171+131+196 25/21
302
M97
A mean tetrachord of the first kind from chapter 4.
19/17-85/76. 16/15
193 +194 +112 304/255
304 M98
19/17 + 1156/1083 - 19/17
193+113+193 68/57
305
M99
Two tetrachords from Thomas Smith (personal communication, 1989).
68/63-21/19: 19/17
132+173+193 68/57
305 MICO
10/9 + 108/97 - 97/90
182+186+130 97/90
368 MıoI
Tetrachords in equal temperament
The tetrachords listed in this section of the Catalog are the genera of
Aristoxenos and other writers in this tradition (chapter 3). Included also are
those genera which appear as vertices in the computations of Rothenberg’s
propriety function and other descriptors, and various neo-Aristoxenian
genera. These are all divisions of the tempered fourth (500 cents).
CHAPTER 9
Page 202
View in PDF(opens in a new window)The “parts” of the fourth used to describe the scales of Aristoxenos are, in
fact, the invention of Cleonides, a later Greek writer, as Aristoxenos spoke
only of fractional tones. The invention has proved both useful and durable,
for not only the later classical writers, but also the Islamic theorists and the
modern Greek Orthodox church employ the system, though the former have
often doubled the number to avoid fractional parts in the hemiolic chromatic
and a few other genera.
Until recently, the Greek church has used a system of 28 parts to the fourth
(Tiby 1938), yielding a theoretical octave of 68 (28 + 12 + 28) tones rather than
the 72 (30+ 12 + 30= 72) or 144 (60 + 24 +60 = 144
in the hemiolic chromatic
and rejected genera) of the Aristoxenians. The 68-tone equal temperament
has a fourth of only 494 cents.
Note that a number of the Orthodox liturgical tetrachords are meant to
be permuted in the formation of the different modes (echoi). This operation
may be applied to the historical and neo-Aristoxenian ones as well.
ARISTOXENIAN STYLE TETRACHORDS
594
595
597
2+2+26
2.5 +2.5 +25
2+3+25
3+3+24
2+4+24
2+5+23
7/3 + 14/3 +23
4+3+23
3-5 + 3-5 +23
2+6+22
4+4+22
8/3 + 16/3 + 22
3+5+22
4.5 + 3,5 + 22
247421
3+6+21
4.5+4.5 +21
4+5 +21
6+3+11
6+20+4
10/3+20/3+20
197
33 +33 +433
42+42+417
33 +50+417
50 + 50 +400
33 + 67 +400
33 +83 + 383
39 + 78 + 383
67 + 50+ 383
58 + 58 + 383
33 + 100 + 367
66 + 66 + 367
44 + 89 + 367
50 + 83 + 367
75+58+367
33 +117 +350
50 + 100 + 350
75 +75 +350
67 + 83 +350
100 + 50 + 350
100 + 333 +67
564111 +333
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
ARISTOXENOS
CHAPTER4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
ARISTOXENOS
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
ARISTOXENOS
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
ARISTOXENOS
CHAPTER 4
ARISTOXENOS
SAVAS
CHAPTER 4
TI
T2
T3
T4
T5
T6
T7
T8
T9
TIO
TII
TI2
T13
TI4
TIS
TI6
T17
T18
Page 203
View in PDF(opens in a new window)618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
5+5+20
83 +83
+ 34
5:5+5:5 +19
11/3
+ 22/3 + 19
5+19+6
5+6+19
2+10+18
3+9+18
4+8+18
92+92+317
61 +122 +317
83 +317
+ IGO
83 + 100
+ 317
33 + 167
+ 300
50 + 150 + 300
67 +133 +300
45+7.,5+18
75 +125 +300
6+6+18
5+7+18
6+18+6
13/3 +26/3 +17
100+ 100
+ 300
83 +117
+ 300
100
+ 300 + 100
72 +144
+ 283
6.5+6.5 +17
108+ 108
+ 283
2+16+12
14/3 + 28/3 + 16
5+9+16
8+16+6
7+16+7
2+13 +15
3+12+15
4+II+1S
S+IO+IS
6+9+15
7+8+15
33 +267 +200
7547-5415
9+15+6
2+14+ 14
4+14+12
5+11+14
16/3 + 32/3 +14
8+8 +14
45+ 13.5 +12
S+12+13
4+13+13
78 +156 +267
83 +150
+ 267
133
+ 267 + 100
II7 +267 + 117
33 +217 +250
50 + 200 + 250
67 +183 +250
83 +167 +250
100+ 150 +250
117 +133 +250
125+125 +250
150 +250 + 100
33 + 233 + 233
67 +233 + 200
83 +183 + 233
89 +178 +233
133+ 133 +233
75 +225 +200
83 +200 +217
67 +217 +217
17/3 +34/3 +13
94 +189 +217
8.5+8.5 +13
142+ 142 +217
198
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
XENAKIS
MACRAN
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
ARISTOXENOS
CHAPTER 4
ARISTOXENOS
CHAPTER 4
ATHANASOPOULOS
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
WINNINGTON-INGRAM
SAVAS
XENAKIS; CHAP. 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
ARISTOXENOS
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
ATHANASOPOULOS
CHAPTER 4
ARISTOXENOS
WINNINGTON-INGRAM
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
ARISTOXENOS
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
T22
T23
T24
T25
T26
T27
T28
T29
T30
T31
T32
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
T40
T4I
T42
T43
T44
T45
T46
T47
T48
T49
T50
TSI
T52
T53
T54
T55
Page 204
View in PDF(opens in a new window)100+ 200+ 200
ARISTOXENOS
T59
654
Savas, Xenakis and Athanasopoulos all give permutations of this tetrachord
in their lists of Orthodox church forms.
12+11+7
200 + 183+117
XENAKIS
T60
Xenakis (1971) permits several permutations of this approximation to
Ptolemy’s intense diatonic.
10+8412
167 + 133 + 200
SAVAS
TOI
655
The form 8 + 12 + 10 is Savas’s “Barys diatonic” (Savas 1965).
12+9+9
200 + 150 + 150
AL-FARABI; CH. 4
653
T62
656
8+11+11
133 + 183 + 183
CHAPTER 4
This tuning is close to 27/25 - 10/9 : 10/9.
657
9.5+0.5 +11
158 +158 + 183
CHAPTER 4
T64
10+10+10
166 + 167 + 167
AL-FARABI
T65
Tiby’s Greek Orthodox tetrachords of 28 parts to the fourth of 494 cents.
12+13 +3
212 +220+53
TIBY
T66
I2+5+ II
212 +88 +194
TIBY
167
12+9+7
212+159+124
TIBY
T68
9+12+7
159+212+ 124
TIBY
T69
See Tiby (1938) for numbers 659-662.
658
659
660
661
662
763
TEMPERED TETRACHORDS IN CENTS
663
664
665
666
22.7 +22.7+454.5
37.5 +37.5 +425
62.5 +62.5 +375
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
T70
T7I
T72
Tetrachord numbers 663- 665 are categorical limits in the classification
scheme of 5-9.
95+115 +290
T73
This tetrachord was designed to fill a small gap in tetrachordal space. See
9-4 9-5, and 9-6.
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
89 +289 +122
87.5
+ 287.5 +125
83.3 + 283.3 + 133.3
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
T74
T75
T76
75+275+150
CHAPTER 5
T77
100 +275 +125
CHAPTER 5
T78
55+170+275
This tetrachord was designed to fill a small gap in tetrachordal space.
T79
66.7 + 266.7 + 166.7
233.3+ 16.7
+ 250
T80
T81
199
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
Page 205
View in PDF(opens in a new window)CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
T82
T83
T84
T85
678
225+25 +250
66.7 + 183.3 + 250
75+175+250
125+125+250
679
105 + 145 + 250
680
110 + 140 + 250
Tetrachord numbers 679 and 680 fill possible gaps in tetrachordal space.
681
682
87.5 + 237.5 +175
+ 166.7 + 100
233.3
212.5+ 602,5 +225
675
676
677
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
T86
T87
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
T88
T8g
T90
TOI
T92
T93
CHAPTER 5
T94
+ 212.5
100+ 187.5
CHAPTER 5
T95
212.5+ 137.5 +150
200 +125 +175
145 + 165 + 190
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
196
T97
T98
225+75+200
225 +175 + 100
87.5+ 187.5 +225
212.5+ 162.5 +125
This tetrachord was designed to filla small gap in tetrachordal space.
Semi-tempered tetrachords
The tetrachords in this section contain both just and tempered intervals. Two
692
of these genera are literal interpretations of late Classical tuning theory. A
number are based on the assumption that Aristoxenos intended to divide the
perfect fourth (4/3), a rather doubtful hypothesis. The remainder are mean
tetrachords from chapter 4 with medial 9/8. Formally, these latter tetrachords
are generators of tritriadic scales, In all cases they span a pure 4/3.
16/(9V3) - 16/(9V3)
- 81/64
45 +45 +408
SI
Number 692 is Barbera’s (1978) literal interpretation of Nicomachos’s
enharmonic as 1/2 semitone + 1/2 semitone + ditone, where the 1/2 semitone
693
is the square root of 256/243, also written as 16 - V3 /27.
126376: 1.05321 : 1.00260
405+88+4
s2
This mean tetrachord ofthe second kind is generated by mean 9.
694
(310 « (4/310. (4/38/10
50+ 50+ 398
s3
This tetrachord is a literal interpretation of Aristoxenos’senharmonic under
Barbera’s (1978) assumption that Aristoxenos’s meant the perfect fourth
4/3. In Cleonides’s cipher, it is 3 + 3 + 24 parts.
CHAPTER 9
Page 206
View in PDF(opens in a new window)(4/3)/15 . (4/3)?/15 . (4/3)
66 + 66 + 365
s4
This tetrachord is a semi-tempered interpretation of Aristoxenos’s soft
chromatic. In Cleonides’s cipher, it is 4 + 4 + 22 parts.
696
(4/3)329 . (4/3)7/60. (4/3) 115
75 +58 + 365
ss
This tetrachord is a semi-tempered interpretation of a genus rejected by
Aristoxenos, It somewhat resembles Archytas’s enharmonic. In Cleonides’s
cipher, it is 4.5 + 3.5 + 22 parts.
697
(4/30 (4/3732. (4/3710
75 +75 +349
sé
This tetrachord isa semi-tempered interpretation of Aristoxenos’s hemiolic
chromatic. In Cleonides’s cipher, it is 4.5 + 4.5 + 21 parts.
698
699
700
(4/3) » (4/3) 10. (4/3)710
100 + 50 + 349
87
This tetrachord is a semi-tempered interpretation of a genus rejected by
Aristoxenos, In Cleonides’s cipher, it is 6 + 3 + 21 parts.
1.21677
: 1.03862 : 1.05505
340
+ 66 + 93
s8
This mean tetrachord of the first kind is generated by mean 9.
(4/3) + (4/3)!
+ (4/3)
100+ 100+ 299
89
This tetrachord is a semi-tempered interpretation of Aristoxenos’s intense
chromatic. In Cleonides’s cipher, it is 6 + 6 + 18 parts.
Jor
(4/329 + (4/3) (4/3)
66+ 133 +299
sıo
This tetrachord is a semi-tempered interpretation of a genus rejected by
Aristoxenos. It closely resembles Archytas’s chromatic In Cleonides’s cipher,
Joz
itis
4 +8 + 18 parts.
3V2/4 - 3V2/4 32/27
102 + 102 + 294
SII
This tetrachord is implied by writers such as Thrasyllus who did not give
793
numbers for the chromatic, but stated only that it contained a 32/27 anda
1:1 pyknon (Barbera 1978). The semitones are the square root of 9/8.
1.18046 - 1.06685 - 1.05873
287 +112 +99
SI2
This mean tetrachord of the second kind is generated by mean 5.
704
1.05956 - 1.06763 : 1.17876
100+ 113
+ 285
s13
This mean tetrachord of the first kind is generated by mean 13.
705
1,17867 + 1.06763 : 1.05956
285+ 113+ 100
SI4
This mean tetrachord of the second kind is generated by mean 14.
706
707
1.17851 + 1.06771 - 1.05963
284+ 113 +100
This mean tetrachord of the second kind is generated by mean 17.
1.17851
: 1.06771 : 1.05963
282+ 1144 101
This mean tetrachord of the second kind is generated by mean 6.
201
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS
Page 207
View in PDF(opens in a new window)(4/3)!9 + (4/3)?10. (4/3)?
100+ 149 + 250
s17
This tetrachord is a semi-tempered interpretation of Aristoxenos’s soft
diatonic. In Cleonides’s cipher, itis 6 + 9 + 15 parts.
709
1.07457: 1.07457
+ 1.154701
125+125 +249
s18
This mean tetrachord of the first kind is generated by mean 2. The
corresponding tetrachord ofthe second kind has the same intervals in reverse
order.
710
Wa?
66+ 232 + 199
sig
This tetrachord is a semi-tempered interpretation of Aristoxenos’s diatonic
with soft chromatic diesis. In Cleonides’s cipher, itis 4 + 14 + 12 parts.
1.13847 - 1.1250 1.0410
225 + 204 + 70
$20
This mean tetrachord of the third kind is produced by mean 5.
712
(4/3)°79 - (4/3)920. (4/3)?
75 +224 +199
$21
This tetrachord is a semi-tempered interpretation of Aristoxenos’s diatonic
73
714
715
716
717
with hemiolic chromatic diesis. In Cleonides’s cipher, it is 4.5 +13.5 + 12
parts.
1.13371 + 1.1250 + 1.04540
217+ 204+ 77
$22
This mean tetrachord of the third kind is produced by mean 14. In reverse
order, itis generated by mean 13.
1.13315 + 1.1250: 1.04595
216+ 204 +78
$23
This mean tetrachord of the third kind is produced by the root mean square
mean 17.
1.09185 - 1.07803 - 1.13278
152 +130+216
824
This mean tetrachord of the first kind is produced by mean 6.
1.09291 + 1.078328 - 1.13137
164+ 131 +214
$25
This mean tetrachord of the first kind is produced by mean 17.
1.09301 + 1.07837 + 1.13122
I54+ 131 +213
$26
This mean tetrachord of the first kind is produced by mean 14. In reverse
order is the tetrachord of the second kind generated by mean 13.
718
1.09429 - 1.07874 - 1.12950
156+ 131 +211
527
This mean tetrachord of the first kind is produced by mean 5.
719
720
1.12950 + 1.1250 - 1.04930
2II + 204 + 83
s28
This mean tetrachord of the third kind is produced by mean 6.
1.08866 : 1.1250: 1.08866
147+ 204+ 147
$29
This mean tetrachord of the third kind is produced by the second or
geometric mean.
CHAPTER 9
Page 208
View in PDF(opens in a new window)(4/35. (4/3)?/5 + (4/3)?/5
100+ 199+ 199
$30
This tetrachord is a semi-tempered interpretation of Aristoxenos’s intense
diatonic. In Cleonides’s cipher, it is 6 + 12 + 12 parts.
722
4/3)3 +(4/3)!2 + (4/3)
166 + 166 + 166
$31
Number 722 is the equally tempered division of the 4/3 into three parts. It
is the semi-tempered form of Ptolemy’s equable diatonic and of the Islamic
neo-Aristoxenian approximation Io + 10 + 10.
723
(4/3)? + (4/3)39
- (4/3310
200+ 149+ 149
532
Number 723 is the semi-tempered version of the Islamic neo-Aristoxenian
genus 12 +9 + 9 parts,
Source index
The sources of the tetrachords listed below are the discoverers, when known,
or the earliest reference known at the time of writing. Further scholarship
may change some of these attributions. Because the Islamic writers invariably
incorporated Ptolemy’s tables into their compilations, they are credited with
only their own tetrachords. The same criterion was applied to other historical
works.
Permutations are not attributed separately except in notable cases such as
that of Didymus’s and Ptolemy’s mutual use of forms of 16/15 - 9/8 - 10/9.
Doubtful attributions are marked with a question mark.
For more information, including literature citations, one should refer to
the entries in the Main Catalog. Uncredited tetrachords are those of the
author.
AL-FARABI 307, 394, 460, 473, 475: 655, 658
ANONYMOUS TREATISE: 456 (FROM D'ERLANGER)
ARCHYTAS: 106, 248, 393
ARISTIDES QUINTILIANUS: 245
ARISTOXENOS: 597, 604, 607, 610, 612, 622, 624, 638, 643, 647, 652
ATHANASOPOULOS: 626, 641
AVICENNA: 108, 311, 390, 395, 396, 457, 458, 459, 476, 478, 479, 480, 481
BARBERA: 692, 604
BARBOUR: 216, 217, 247?, 250}, 251?, 252?, 312
BOETHIUS: 75, 24I
DANIÉLOU: 154
DIDYMOS: 103, 215,455
ERATOSTHENES: 71,212
THE CATALOG OF TETRACHORDS