Toward the Expansion of Our Concepts of Intonation
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The 17-Tone Puzzle — and the Neo-Medieval Key That Unlocks It
The 17-tone Puzzle — And the Neo-medieval Key That Unlocks It by George Secor A Grave Misunderstanding The 17 division of the octave has to be one of the most misunderstood alternative tuning systems available to the microtonal experimenter. In comparison with divisions such as 19, 22, and 31, it has two major advantages: not only are its fifths better in tune, but it is also more manageable, considering its very reasonable number of tones per octave. A third advantage becomes apparent immediately upon hearing diatonic melodies played in it, one note at a time: 17 is wonderful for melody, outshining both the twelve-tone equal temperament (12-ET) and the Pythagorean tuning in this respect. The most serious problem becomes apparent when we discover that diatonic harmony in this system sounds highly dissonant, considerably more so than is the case with either 12-ET or the Pythagorean tuning, on which we were hoping to improve. Without any further thought, most experimenters thus consign the 17-tone system to the discard pile, confident in the knowledge that there are, after all, much better alternatives available. My own thinking about 17 started in exactly this way. In 1976, having been a microtonal experimenter for thirteen years, I went on record, dismissing 17-ET in only a couple of sentences: The 17-tone equal temperament is of questionable harmonic utility. If you try it, I doubt you’ll stay with it for long.1 Since that time I have become aware of some things which have caused me to change my opinion completely. -
The Hell Harp of Hieronymus Bosch. the Building of an Experimental Musical Instrument, and a Critical Account of an Experience of a Community of Musicians
1 (114) Independent Project (Degree Project), 30 higher education credits Master of Fine Arts in Music, with specialization in Improvisation Performance Academy of Music and Drama, University of Gothenburg Spring 2019 Author: Johannes Bergmark Title: The Hell Harp of Hieronymus Bosch. The building of an experimental musical instrument, and a critical account of an experience of a community of musicians. Supervisors: Professor Anders Jormin, Professor Per Anders Nilsson Examiner: Senior Lecturer Joel Eriksson ABSTRACT Taking a detail from Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden Of Earthly Delights as a point of departure, an instrument is built for a musical performance act deeply involving the body of the musician. The process from idea to performance is recorded and described as a compositional and improvisational process. Experimental musical instrument (EMI) building is discussed from its mythological and sociological significance, and from autoethnographical case studies of processes of invention. The writer’s experience of 30 years in the free improvisation and new music community, and some basic concepts: EMIs, EMI maker, musician, composition, improvisation, music and instrument, are analyzed and criticized, in the community as well as in the writer’s own work. The writings of Christopher Small and surrealist ideas are main inspirations for the methods applied. Keywords: Experimental musical instruments, improvised music, Hieronymus Bosch, musical performance art, music sociology, surrealism Front cover: Hieronymus Bosch, The Garden of Earthly -
Imaginary Marching Band Paper 2
The Imaginary Marching Band: An Experiment in Invisible Musical Interfaces Scott Peterman Parsons, The New School for Design 389 6th Avenue #3 New York, NY 10014 USA +1 917 952 2360 [email protected] www.imaginarymarchingband.com ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION The Imaginary Marching Band is a series of open- The Imaginary Marching Band is not just an source wearable instruments that allow the wearer to experiment in interaction design or music generation. create real music simply by pantomiming playing an This is a project geared towards a larger goal: the instrument. liberation of spontaneous creativity from the theater, Keywords studio, and writing desk and to embed it into our daily lives. MIDI Interface, Wearable Computer, Fashionable Technology, Digital Music, Invisible It is also a performance piece, an actual band who will Instruments be performing at a variety of festivals and institutions around the world this summer and fall. This project is open-source, both as software and as hardware. The hope is to encourage others to experiment within this area of design: the creation of invisible interfaces that mimic real world actions, and in so doing inspire a sense of play and enhance - rather than diminish - the creative experience. INSPIRATION But almost none of these instruments have brought the The twentieth century saw frequent bursts of Dionysian joy of actually creating music to a wider innovation in the manufacture and design of musical audience, nor the act of performance out into the “real” instruments. From early novelties by Russolo and world; if anything, these inventions appeal exclusively Theramin to mid-century instrument modification by to the most experimental of musical spaces. -
Andrián Pertout
Andrián Pertout Three Microtonal Compositions: The Utilization of Tuning Systems in Modern Composition Volume 1 Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Produced on acid-free paper Faculty of Music The University of Melbourne March, 2007 Abstract Three Microtonal Compositions: The Utilization of Tuning Systems in Modern Composition encompasses the work undertaken by Lou Harrison (widely regarded as one of America’s most influential and original composers) with regards to just intonation, and tuning and scale systems from around the globe – also taking into account the influential work of Alain Daniélou (Introduction to the Study of Musical Scales), Harry Partch (Genesis of a Music), and Ben Johnston (Scalar Order as a Compositional Resource). The essence of the project being to reveal the compositional applications of a selection of Persian, Indonesian, and Japanese musical scales utilized in three very distinct systems: theory versus performance practice and the ‘Scale of Fifths’, or cyclic division of the octave; the equally-tempered division of the octave; and the ‘Scale of Proportions’, or harmonic division of the octave championed by Harrison, among others – outlining their theoretical and aesthetic rationale, as well as their historical foundations. The project begins with the creation of three new microtonal works tailored to address some of the compositional issues of each system, and ending with an articulated exposition; obtained via the investigation of written sources, disclosure -
<I>Manifestations</I>: a Fixed Media Microtonal Octet
University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 8-2017 Manifestations: A fixed media microtonal octet Sky Dering Van Duuren University of Tennessee, Knoxville, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Part of the Composition Commons Recommended Citation Van Duuren, Sky Dering, "Manifestations: A fixed media microtonal octet. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2017. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/4908 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Sky Dering Van Duuren entitled "Manifestations: A fixed media microtonal octet." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Music, with a major in Music. Andrew L. Sigler, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Barbara Murphy, Jorge Variego Accepted for the Council: Dixie L. Thompson Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) Manifestations A fixed media microtonal octet A Thesis Presented for the Master of Music Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Skylar Dering van Duuren August 2017 Copyright © 2017 by Skylar van Duuren. -
Generalized Interval System and Its Applications
Generalized Interval System and Its Applications Minseon Song May 17, 2014 Abstract Transformational theory is a modern branch of music theory developed by David Lewin. This theory focuses on the transformation of musical objects rather than the objects them- selves to find meaningful patterns in both tonal and atonal music. A generalized interval system is an integral part of transformational theory. It takes the concept of an interval, most commonly used with pitches, and through the application of group theory, generalizes beyond pitches. In this paper we examine generalized interval systems, beginning with the definition, then exploring the ways they can be transformed, and finally explaining com- monly used musical transformation techniques with ideas from group theory. We then apply the the tools given to both tonal and atonal music. A basic understanding of group theory and post tonal music theory will be useful in fully understanding this paper. Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 A Crash Course in Music Theory 2 3 Introduction to the Generalized Interval System 8 4 Transforming GISs 11 5 Developmental Techniques in GIS 13 5.1 Transpositions . 14 5.2 Interval Preserving Functions . 16 5.3 Inversion Functions . 18 5.4 Interval Reversing Functions . 23 6 Rhythmic GIS 24 7 Application of GIS 28 7.1 Analysis of Atonal Music . 28 7.1.1 Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno Musicale di Annalibera, No. 3 . 29 7.1.2 Karlheinz Stockhausen: Kreuzspiel, Part 1 . 34 7.2 Analysis of Tonal Music: Der Spiegel Duet . 38 8 Conclusion 41 A Just Intonation 44 1 1 Introduction David Lewin(1933 - 2003) is an American music theorist. -
Xii - Les Tempéraments Justes De Plus De 12 Divisions (19, 31, 43)
XII - LES TEMPÉRAMENTS JUSTES DE PLUS DE 12 DIVISIONS (19, 31, 43) 1. INTRODUCTION Les acousticiens et théoriciens de la musique ont toujours été affrontés au problème de l’Intonation Juste. Depuis Ramis (ou Ramos) en 1482 [34], jusqu’à Helmholtz en 1863 [8], ils ont essayé de concevoir des échelles à intervalles consonants. Ça a repris en Europe dès le début du XXe siècle pour continuer outre- atlantique jusqu’à nos jours. Plusieurs fois on a eu recours à des octaves de plus de 12 divisions, ce qui donne des intervalles inférieurs au demi-ton, on parle alors de micro-tons. Continuons de parler de Ton dans le sens le plus large, ou bien d’Unité. Le système de F. Salinas (1557) était composé de 19 degrés et était censé être juste [48]. Défendu par Woolhouse au XIXe siècle, il sera relancé au XXe siècle par J. Yasser [49]. Le système à 31 tons a aussi des origines anciennes, l’archicembalo conçu en 1555 par Vicentino avait déjà 31 touches 1. Il avait pour objectif, entre autres, d’introduire des quarts de ton pour interpréter les madrigaux du napolitain Gesualdo. Etudié par le physicien C. Huygens à l’aide d’arguments scientifiques, il est basé sur la présence de la quinte, de la tierce et de la septième justes. 1 Comme dans tous les domaines, la Renaissance a connu une grande effervescence en théorie musicale. On a ressorti les anciens manuscrits (Aristoxène, Euclide, Nicomaque, Ptolemé,…), mais aussi hélas ceux de Boèce, unique référence du haut Moyen Âge. Le système de Vicentino n’avait donc rien d’insolite. -
8.1.4 Intervals in the Equal Temperament The
8.1 Tonal systems 8-13 8.1.4 Intervals in the equal temperament The interval (inter vallum = space in between) is the distance of two notes; expressed numerically by the relation (ratio) of the frequencies of the corresponding tones. The names of the intervals are derived from the place numbers within the scale – for the C-major-scale, this implies: C = prime, D = second, E = third, F = fourth, G = fifth, A = sixth, B = seventh, C' = octave. Between the 3rd and 4th notes, and between the 7th and 8th notes, we find a half- step, all other notes are a whole-step apart each. In the equal-temperament tuning, a whole- step consists of two equal-size half-step (HS). All intervals can be represented by multiples of a HS: Distance between notes (intervals) in the diatonic scale, represented by half-steps: C-C = 0, C-D = 2, C-E = 4, C-F = 5, C-G = 7, C-A = 9, C-B = 11, C-C' = 12. Intervals are not just definable as HS-multiples in their relation to the root note C of the C- scale, but also between all notes: e.g. D-E = 2 HS, G-H = 4 HS, F-A = 4 HS. By the subdivision of the whole-step into two half-steps, new notes are obtained; they are designated by the chromatic sign relative to their neighbors: C# = C-augmented-by-one-HS, and (in the equal-temperament tuning) identical to the Db = D-diminished-by-one-HS. Corresponding: D# = Eb, F# = Gb, G# = Ab, A# = Bb. -
Boston Symphony Orchestra Concert Programs, Summer, 1970
ISM /, *w*s M •*r:;*. KUCJCW n;. ,-1. * Tanglewood 1970° Seiji Ozawa, Gunther Schuller, Artistic Directors Leonard Bernstein, Advisor FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC August 16 — August 20, 1970 Sponsored by the BERKSHIRE MUSIC CENTER In Cooperation with the FROMM MUSIC FOUNDATION PERSPECTIVES NEWOF MUSIC PERSPECTIVES OF NEW MUSIC Participants in this year's Festival are invited to subscribe to the American journal devoted to im- portant issues of contemporary music and the problems of the composer. Published for the Fromm Music Foundation by Princeton University Press. Editor: Benjamin Boretz Advisory Board: Aaron Copland, Ernst Krenek, Darius Milhaud, Walter Piston, Roger Sessions, Igor Stravinsky. Semi-annual. $6.00 a year. $15.00 three years. Foreign Postage is 25 cents additional per year. Single or back issues are $5.00. Princeton University Press Princeton, New Jersey I 5fta 'V. B , '*•. .-.-'--! HffiHHMEffl SiSsi M^lll Epppi ^EwK^^bJbe^h 1 * - ' :- HMK^HRj^EI! 9HKS&k 7?. BCJB1I MQ50 TANGLEWOOD SEIJI OZAWA, GUNTHER SCHULLER, Artistic Directors/LEONARD BERNSTEIN, Adviser THE BERKSHIRE MUSIC CENTER Joseph Silverstein, Chairman of the Faculty Harry J. Kraut, Administrator Aaron Copland, Chairman of the Faculty Emeritus Daniel R. Gustin, Assistant Administrator Leon Barzin, Head, Orchestral Activities James Whitaker, Chief Coordinator ,vvv /ss. Festival of Contemporary Music presented in cooperation with The Fromm Music Foundation Paul Fromm, President Fellowship Program Contemporary Music Activities Gunther Schuller, Head George Crumb, Charles Wuorinen, and Chou Wen-Chung, Guest Teachers Paul Zukofsky, Assistant The Berkshire Music Center is maintained for advanced study in music Sponsored by the Boston Symphony Orchestra William Steinberg, Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas, Associate Conductor Thomas D. -
Music Terminology
ABAGANON MATERIAL MUSIC THEORY OF DODECAPHONIC EQUAL TEMPERAMENT MUSIC INTRODUCTION PG.3 RHYTHM PG.4 PITCH PG.14 MELODY PG.35 COMPOSITION PG.42 PHYSICS PG.52 PHILOSOPHY PG.67 CLASSICAL PG.76 JAZZ PG.92 BOOK DESIGN This book was designed with a few things in mind. Primarily, it was written to adapt to the way musicians and composers learn and think. Usually, they learn in hierarchies, or in other words, they put everything into groups. This form of learning and thinking comes from the tasks that musicians typically have to perform. They memorize groups of rhythms, pitches, motor skills, sounds, and more. This allows them to learn larger amounts of information. An example of this type of learning and thinking can be found in the way that most people memorize a phone number. Usually they will memorize it in groups of 3 + 3 + 4 (this is typical in the United States, although some people from other nationalities will group the numbers differently). You can see this grouping in the way phone numbers are written: (123) 456-7890. By learning in this way, a person is essentially memorizing three bits of information, instead of ten individual pieces. This allows the brain to memorize far more material. To fit with this style of learning, the book’s chapters have been set to cover distinctly separate areas of music, which makes it easier to locate certain topics, as well as keep related ideas close together. This style is different from other textbooks, which often use chapters as guides that separate different musical topics by difficulty of comprehension. -
Harrison, Lou (1917-2003) by John Louis Digaetani
Harrison, Lou (1917-2003) by John Louis DiGaetani Encyclopedia Copyright © 2015, glbtq, Inc. Entry Copyright © 2002, glbtq, Inc. Reprinted from http://www.glbtq.com American composer Lou Harrison enjoyed a long and distinguished career. He is particularly well known for his use of instruments from the East, especially the Javanese gamelan, and for his melodic and lyrical musical style, despite the fact that he studied composition in the atonal musical style of Arnold Schoenberg. One of America's most original and articulate composers, Harrison explored a number of interests, including puppetry, Esperanto, tuning systems, the construction of musical instruments, and dance. He was also actively involved in political causes, especially pacifism and gay rights. He was born Lou Silver Harrison in Portland, Oregon, on May 14, 1917, but his family moved to the San Francisco Bay area when he was a child, and he lived most of his life on the West Coast of the United States. As a child he was exposed to a wide range of music, including Cantonese operas, Gregorian chants, and Spanish and Mexican music. Harrison attended San Francisco State University, where he decided on music as his major and his life's work. He studied there with Henry Cowell and quickly became fascinated with melody and its powers, particularly in the music of the Orient. He also developed an interest in the works of American composer Charles Ives, some of whose musical manuscripts he later edited. Among Harrison's early compostions is a large body of percussion music that reveals Western, Asian, African, and Latin American rhythmic influences. -
Chord and It Gives It It's Name
Interval Functions • In any chord, each interval has a ‘job’ or ‘function’ • The root is the most fundamental part of the chord and it gives it it’s name and ‘tone’ or pitch • The third is what makes the chord sound happy or sad. • The fifth ‘bulks’ up the chord • The seventh adds the ‘spice’ on top of the chord Intervals (Advanced) • Perfect intervals are the 4, 5 and 8 (octave). These are intervals whose frequencies divide into neat fractions. • Perfect Intervals are considered ‘consonant’ as opposed to ‘dissonant’ ROUGHWORK Note Frequency Note Frequency A1 28 A4 220 C B1 31 B4 247 G C1 33 C4 262 D1 37 D4 294 E1 41 E4 330 F1 44 F4 349 33 G1 49 G4 392 A2 55 A5 440 49 B2 62 B5 494 C2 65 C5 523 D2 73 D5 587 E2 82 E5 659 F2 87 F5 698 2 G2 98 G5 784 A3 110 A6 880 3 B3 123 B6 988 C3 131 C6 1047 D3 147 D6 1175 E3 165 E6 1319 F3 175 F6 1397 G3 196 G6 1568 • Non-perfect intervals are 2, 3, 6 and 7. They can be either a major or minor interval. Interval Name Interval Alternate Name Unison 0 Aug Diminished Second Minor Second Dim m2 Majo Augmented Unison r Major Second Minor M2 Aug Diminished Third Minor Third Dim m3 Majo Augmented Second r Major Third Minor M3 Aug Diminished Fourth Perfect Fourth Dim 4 Aug Augmented Third Diminished Fifth/Augmented Fourth Dim Tritone Aug Diminished Fifth/Augmented Fourth Perfect Fifth Dim 5 Aug Diminished Sixth Minor Sixth Minor m6 Majo Augmented Fifth r Major Sixth Dim M6 Majo Diminished Seventh r Minor Seventh Minor m7 Aug Augmented Sixth Major Seventh Minor M7 Aug Diminished Octave Perfect Octave Dim Octave