7.5 Microtonality
7 min read•august 21, 2024
expands musical possibilities by exploring intervals smaller than traditional semitones. It challenges Western equal temperament, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek theory, Middle Eastern traditions, and pioneering composers like Carrillo and Partch.
Various microtonal tuning systems exist, including and beyond 12 tones. These systems require specialized instruments or electronic means to produce accurately, opening new avenues for harmonic exploration and compositional techniques.
Origins of microtonality
- Microtonality emerged as a response to the limitations of Western equal temperament tuning
- Explores intervals smaller than the traditional semitone, expanding tonal possibilities in modern music
- Represents a significant departure from conventional Western musical theory and practice
Historical precedents
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- Ancient Greek music theory included microtonal intervals (enharmonic genus)
- Middle Eastern and Asian musical traditions utilized microtones for centuries (, )
- Renaissance composers experimented with split-key instruments for more precise tuning
- 19th-century theorists like Helmholtz explored alternative tuning systems
Early 20th century pioneers
- developed the system, dividing octaves into microtones
- composed quarter-tone and sixth-tone works in Czechoslovakia
- created new notational systems for microtonal music
- built custom instruments to realize his 43-tone just intonation scale
Microtonal tuning systems
- Expand beyond the 12-tone equal temperament system used in Western music
- Offer greater and harmonic possibilities
- Require specialized instruments or electronic means to accurately produce
Just intonation
- Based on whole number frequency ratios between notes
- Produces pure, beatless intervals with complex harmonies
- Varies depending on the chosen fundamental frequency
- Challenges include limited modulation and inconsistent interval sizes
Equal temperaments
- Divide the octave into equal parts, beyond the standard 12
- Common systems include 19-TET, 24-TET (quarter-tones), and 31-TET
- Offer consistent interval sizes and easier modulation than just intonation
- Sacrifice some purity of intervals for increased flexibility
Non-octave scales
- Break from the traditional octave-based structure
- divides the tritave (3:1 frequency ratio) into 13 steps
- 's alpha, beta, and gamma scales explore non-octave equal temperaments
- Create unique tonal environments and harmonic relationships
Microtonal instruments
- Designed or adapted to produce microtonal intervals accurately
- Enable composers and performers to explore new tonal territories
- Range from traditional acoustic instruments to cutting-edge electronic devices
Acoustic instruments
- Specially designed flutes with additional holes or keys
- (violins, cellos) allow for precise microtonal intonation
- like Harry Partch's Quadrangularis Reversum
- Modified pianos with split keys or additional strings
Electronic instruments
- with microtonal tuning capabilities
- (DAWs) with microtonal plugins
- designed for microtonal input
- Software-based virtual instruments with flexible tuning options
Adapted traditional instruments
- Guitars with additional frets or movable frets
- Trumpets and trombones using alternate fingerings or slide positions
- Clarinets with modified key systems
- Accordions with microtonal button layouts
Compositional techniques
- Explore new harmonic and melodic possibilities offered by microtonal systems
- Challenge traditional concepts of consonance and dissonance
- Require careful consideration of notation and performance practicalities
Pitch sets and scales
- Creation of unique microtonal scales based on specific tuning systems
- Use of derived from overtone series or mathematical relationships
- Exploration of non-Western scales and modes in microtonal contexts
- Development of new chord structures based on microtonal intervals
Harmonic structures
- Utilization of pure harmonic intervals in just intonation systems
- Exploration of complex chord voicings using microtonal intervals
- Creation of harmonic progressions based on microtonal relationships
- Investigation of spectral harmony using precise frequency relationships
Melodic considerations
- Incorporation of microtonal inflections and ornamentations
- Development of new melodic contours using microtonal intervals
- Exploration of microtonal glissandi and pitch bends
- Creation of melodic patterns based on non-octave scales
Notable microtonal composers
- Pioneered new approaches to microtonal composition and instrument design
- Influenced subsequent generations of composers and theorists
- Developed unique notational systems and performance practices
Harry Partch
- Created a 43-tone just intonation scale based on the 11-limit tonality diamond
- Built numerous custom instruments to realize his microtonal compositions
- Composed works integrating speech, dance, and theatrical elements
- Developed the concept of corporeal music, emphasizing physical performance
Ben Johnston
- Expanded on Partch's ideas, using extended just intonation in string quartets
- Developed a notation system using accidentals to indicate microtonal pitches
- Composed works exploring the harmonic series and its musical applications
- Integrated microtonal techniques with more traditional musical forms
La Monte Young
- Pioneered minimalist music incorporating sustained microtonal drones
- Explored just intonation tunings in works like "The Well-Tuned Piano"
- Collaborated with visual artist Marian Zazeela on immersive light and sound installations
- Influenced numerous composers and popular musicians with his microtonal approach
Microtonality in world music
- Demonstrates the diverse applications of microtonal intervals across cultures
- Provides inspiration for contemporary composers exploring microtonal techniques
- Challenges Western notions of pitch and harmony
Middle Eastern maqam
- Modal system utilizing microtonal intervals between certain scale degrees
- Features neutral seconds and three- in various maqam scales
- Employs ornamental techniques like vibrato and glissandi to emphasize microtones
- Influences microtonal composition in both traditional and contemporary contexts
Indian shruti
- System of 22 microtonal intervals within an octave
- Forms the basis for the tuning of ragas in Indian classical music
- Allows for subtle pitch inflections and expressive intonation
- Inspires Western composers to explore just intonation and microtonal ornaments
Indonesian gamelan
- Ensemble music featuring instruments tuned to non-Western scales
- Utilizes pelog and slendro tuning systems with unique interval relationships
- Explores beating patterns between slightly detuned instruments (ombak)
- Influences Western composers like Lou Harrison and Claude Vivier
Contemporary applications
- Integrate microtonal techniques with modern technology and compositional approaches
- Expand the tonal palette available to composers and sound designers
- Challenge listeners' perceptions of pitch and harmony
Spectral music
- Analyzes the spectral content of sounds to inform compositional choices
- Utilizes microtones to accurately represent harmonic spectra
- Composers like Gérard Grisey and Tristan Murail pioneer spectral techniques
- Combines acoustic instruments with electronic processing for microtonal precision
Computer-aided composition
- Software tools enable precise calculation and manipulation of microtonal intervals
- Algorithmic composition techniques incorporate microtonal parameters
- Virtual instruments and samplers allow for accurate microtonal playback
- Facilitates experimentation with complex tuning systems and pitch relationships
Microtonal synthesis
- Synthesizers and software synths offer flexible microtonal tuning options
- Allows for creation of unique timbres based on microtonal harmonic relationships
- Enables exploration of non-standard frequency ratios and tuning systems
- Supports the development of new microtonal scales and temperaments
Challenges and controversies
- Present obstacles to widespread adoption of microtonal music
- Spark debates among composers, performers, and theorists
- Drive innovation in instrument design and performance techniques
Notation systems
- Traditional Western notation inadequate for representing microtones
- Various competing systems proposed (Helmholtz-Ellis, Johnston, Sagittal)
- Challenges in standardization and readability for performers
- Software solutions emerging to facilitate microtonal notation and playback
Performance difficulties
- Requires specialized training for accurate intonation of microtones
- Limited availability of in many contexts
- Challenges in ensemble playing and maintaining consistent tuning
- Need for new performance techniques and practice methodologies
Listener perception
- Unfamiliarity with microtonal intervals can lead to perceived dissonance
- Cultural conditioning affects ability to discern and appreciate microtones
- Debates over the aesthetic value and expressive potential of microtonality
- Gradual exposure and education may increase listener acceptance over time
Microtonality vs equal temperament
- Highlights the trade-offs between different tuning systems
- Explores the potential benefits and drawbacks of microtonal approaches
- Challenges the dominance of 12-tone equal temperament in Western music
Tonal flexibility
- Microtonality offers a wider range of interval choices
- Allows for more precise tuning of harmonic intervals
- Enables exploration of non-Western scales and modes
- Facilitates more accurate representation of natural harmonic series
Harmonic richness
- Just intonation provides pure, beatless intervals
- Microtonal systems allow for more complex chord structures
- Enables exploration of subtle timbral variations through tuning
- Facilitates creation of new harmonic languages and progressions
Practical limitations
- Equal temperament allows for easy modulation between keys
- Standardized tuning simplifies instrument manufacturing and ensemble playing
- Microtonal systems often require specialized instruments or electronic means
- Challenges in integrating microtonal music with existing repertoire and ensembles
Future of microtonality
- Continues to evolve with advancements in technology and musical practice
- Expands the possibilities for tonal expression in contemporary music
- Challenges traditional notions of pitch, harmony, and musical structure
Technological advancements
- Improved digital audio tools for microtonal composition and performance
- Development of more accessible microtonal instruments and controllers
- Virtual reality and spatial audio applications for immersive microtonal experiences
- Machine learning algorithms for analyzing and generating microtonal music
Educational integration
- Increasing inclusion of microtonal concepts in music theory curricula
- Development of ear training methods for microtonal intervals
- Creation of educational software and apps for microtonal study
- Growing number of workshops and masterclasses focused on microtonal techniques
Cross-cultural influences
- Continued exploration of microtonal traditions from various world music cultures
- Fusion of Western and non-Western microtonal approaches in composition
- Collaborative projects between musicians from different microtonal traditions
- Increased awareness and appreciation of diverse tuning systems globally
Key Terms to Review (36)
Alois Hába: Alois Hába was a Czech composer known for his pioneering work in microtonality, particularly during the 20th century. He created a new musical language by incorporating intervals smaller than the traditional semitone, thereby expanding the possibilities of melodic and harmonic expression. His contributions significantly influenced modern music and paved the way for further exploration of microtonal systems.
Ben Johnston: Ben Johnston was an American composer known for his pioneering work in microtonality, which involves the use of intervals smaller than the conventional semitone. His unique approach to tuning and scale design aimed to expand the harmonic palette available to composers, allowing for a greater exploration of musical expression and nuance beyond traditional Western music systems.
Bohlen-pierce scale: The Bohlen-Pierce scale is a non-octave-based musical scale that divides the octave into 13 equal parts, creating a unique system of microtonality. This scale is rooted in the concept of just intonation, which emphasizes pure intervals and tuning systems outside traditional Western music. It allows for a distinct exploration of harmonies and melodies that are not possible within the confines of standard 12-tone equal temperament.
Computer-aided composition: Computer-aided composition refers to the use of computer software and technology to assist composers in creating music. This can include anything from notation software, which helps in writing scores, to sophisticated algorithms that generate music based on certain parameters. By integrating digital tools, composers can explore new sounds and complex structures that may be difficult to achieve through traditional methods.
Custom-built instruments: Custom-built instruments are musical instruments that are specifically designed and constructed to meet the unique specifications or preferences of a musician or composer. These instruments can incorporate various features such as unique tuning systems, materials, and construction methods that cater to individual artistic expressions, particularly in experimental and contemporary music contexts.
Digital audio workstations: Digital audio workstations (DAWs) are software applications used for recording, editing, mixing, and producing audio files. They have become essential tools in music production, allowing artists and producers to manipulate sound with precision and creativity. DAWs integrate various features like multitrack recording, MIDI capabilities, and effects processing, making them indispensable in genres that fuse elements of pop and electronic music, explore unique tuning systems like microtonality, and enable advanced recording techniques.
Equal Temperaments: Equal temperaments are tuning systems that divide the octave into equal parts, typically into 12 semitones in Western music. This system allows for consistent intervals between notes, enabling musicians to play in any key without having to retune their instruments. This uniformity is essential for creating harmonic relationships and facilitates complex compositions across various musical genres.
Fretless string instruments: Fretless string instruments are musical instruments that lack the frets found on traditional stringed instruments, allowing for a continuous range of pitches. This design enables players to produce microtones, which are notes that fall between the standard semitones of the Western tuning system. The absence of frets offers greater flexibility and expressiveness in pitch, making these instruments essential in various musical traditions, particularly those that emphasize microtonality.
Harmonic richness: Harmonic richness refers to the complexity and variety of harmonies present in a musical composition, creating a fuller and more textured sound. This concept often involves the use of extended chords, dissonance, and microtonal intervals, which can enhance the emotional and aesthetic experience of the music. It is particularly relevant in modern music where composers seek to explore new sonic landscapes, pushing the boundaries of traditional harmonic practices.
Harmonic structures: Harmonic structures refer to the organization and arrangement of chords and intervals within a piece of music, forming the foundation for harmony and tonal relationships. These structures define how different pitches interact with one another, creating a sense of tension and resolution. In modern music, particularly with microtonality, harmonic structures can expand beyond traditional Western tuning systems, allowing for innovative sounds and new ways to perceive harmony.
Harry Partch: Harry Partch was an American composer and music theorist known for his unique approach to microtonality and the development of a system of musical tuning that extended beyond the traditional 12-tone equal temperament. He created his own instruments and composed works that utilized these unconventional tunings, embracing a philosophy that combined music with theatrical elements. His innovative ideas and practices significantly influenced the understanding and use of microtonality in contemporary music.
Indian Shruti: Indian Shruti refers to the microtonal intervals used in Indian classical music that are smaller than a semitone, providing a unique system of pitch variation. This concept plays a vital role in the melodic and harmonic structure of Indian music, allowing for expressive nuances that enhance the emotional depth of compositions. It is considered foundational in the practice of ragas, which are the framework for improvisation and composition in Indian classical traditions.
Indonesian Gamelan: Indonesian gamelan is a traditional ensemble music form originating from Indonesia, characterized by its unique collection of percussive instruments, including gongs, metallophones, and drums. This music often employs a system of tuning that features microtonal intervals, which contribute to its distinctive sound and cultural expression.
Ivan Wyschnegradsky: Ivan Wyschnegradsky was a Russian composer and music theorist known for his pioneering work in microtonality and his development of systems that utilized quarter tones and other divisions of the octave. His innovative ideas influenced the way composers approached tuning and harmony, especially in the context of modern music's exploration beyond traditional Western scales.
Julián Carrillo: Julián Carrillo was a Mexican composer and violinist known for his pioneering work in microtonality, particularly through the development of the '13th Sound' system, which expands the conventional 12-tone scale to include additional pitches. His innovative approach to music sought to explore new sonic possibilities by dividing the octave into smaller intervals, allowing for a richer harmonic palette and unique musical expressions.
Just intonation: Just intonation is a tuning system based on the natural harmonic series, where the intervals between notes are derived from whole number ratios. This approach allows for purer sounding intervals compared to equal temperament, which divides the octave into equal parts. Just intonation is especially relevant in contexts that utilize microtonality and spectral music, as it emphasizes the nuances of pitch and harmonic relationships that can be explored outside of traditional tuning systems.
La Monte Young: La Monte Young is an influential American composer and musician known for his pioneering work in the minimalist music movement and for his exploration of microtonality. He played a crucial role in shaping the direction of contemporary music by emphasizing sustained tones, drone-based compositions, and the use of unconventional tuning systems. His innovative approaches have laid the groundwork for many modern composers who seek to explore sound in new ways.
Listener perception: Listener perception refers to the way individuals interpret and respond to sound, music, and musical structures based on their personal experiences, cultural background, and cognitive processes. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding how different musical elements, such as microtonality, can evoke varied emotional and cognitive reactions among listeners.
Maqam: Maqam is a system of melody types used in Arabic music that provides a framework for improvisation and composition. It is characterized by its specific set of notes and the unique intervals between them, often incorporating microtonal variations that are crucial to Middle Eastern music. This complex structure not only defines the musical pitches but also conveys emotional and cultural nuances, making it a fundamental concept in the understanding of Middle Eastern musical traditions and microtonality.
Melodic considerations: Melodic considerations refer to the various aspects and techniques involved in the construction and manipulation of melodies within music. This encompasses how melodies are developed, how they interact with harmony and rhythm, and the ways in which they can evoke emotion and convey meaning. Melodic considerations also involve the use of microtonality, where pitches are used that fall between the standard semitones, expanding the possibilities for expression and innovation in contemporary music.
Microtonal instruments: Microtonal instruments are musical instruments that are capable of producing pitches that fall between the traditional notes of the Western chromatic scale, which divides an octave into 12 equal parts. These instruments allow for a wider range of pitch variation and are often used to create microtonal music, which incorporates intervals smaller than the semitone. This expanded tonal palette challenges conventional musical structures and opens up new possibilities for composition and performance.
Microtonal synthesis: Microtonal synthesis refers to the process of creating and manipulating sounds that utilize microtones, which are intervals smaller than the conventional semitone used in Western music. This technique allows composers and sound designers to explore new tonalities and textures that exist outside traditional tuning systems, expanding the possibilities of musical expression and experimentation.
Microtonality: Microtonality refers to the use of intervals smaller than the conventional semitone found in Western music. This concept allows for a broader range of pitches and can create unique emotional expressions and soundscapes. Microtonality is significant in various musical traditions and has been explored by modern composers seeking to break free from the limitations of the standard twelve-tone equal temperament system, encouraging innovation and new harmonic languages.
Middle Eastern Maqam: Middle Eastern maqam refers to a system of melodic modes used in Arabic music and other musical traditions across the Middle East. Each maqam has its own unique set of rules regarding pitch, scale, and emotional expression, often incorporating microtones that extend beyond the Western twelve-tone system. This structure provides a rich framework for improvisation and composition, making it a cornerstone of traditional Middle Eastern music.
Midi controllers: MIDI controllers are electronic devices used to send Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) data to computers, synthesizers, and other MIDI-compatible instruments. They are essential tools in music production and performance, allowing musicians and producers to create and manipulate sounds in real-time. MIDI controllers come in various forms, including keyboards, pads, and control surfaces, enabling flexibility in both studio recording and live performances.
Notation systems: Notation systems refer to methods used to visually represent musical sounds and structures, allowing musicians to read, interpret, and perform music. These systems are essential for conveying pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and other expressive elements in a standardized form, enabling communication among musicians across different cultures and time periods.
Performance difficulties: Performance difficulties refer to the challenges musicians face when executing a piece of music, which can include technical hurdles, interpretative issues, or the unique demands of specific musical styles. These difficulties are especially pronounced in microtonal music, where traditional Western tuning systems are often inadequate, requiring performers to navigate unfamiliar pitches and intervals that challenge their conventional training and technique.
Pitch sets: Pitch sets are specific collections of pitches that can be used in musical composition, often characterized by a unique arrangement or intervallic relationship. They play a crucial role in defining the harmonic and melodic structure of a piece, especially in microtonal music where traditional Western tuning systems may not apply. By utilizing various pitch sets, composers can explore new sonic possibilities and create innovative musical textures.
Practical limitations: Practical limitations refer to the constraints or challenges faced when implementing or performing certain concepts, techniques, or systems, particularly in relation to microtonality. These limitations can impact the ability to use microtonal scales effectively in various musical contexts, influencing factors like instrument design, tuning systems, and accessibility for musicians.
Quarter tones: Quarter tones are musical intervals that are half the size of a semitone, resulting in a system that divides an octave into 24 distinct pitches instead of the standard 12. This microtonal approach expands the harmonic and melodic possibilities in music, allowing for more nuanced expression and a richer palette of sounds that can be used in composition and performance.
Raga: A raga is a melodic framework in Indian classical music that serves as a basis for improvisation and composition. Each raga is characterized by a unique set of notes, specific rules for ascending and descending scales, and a particular mood or emotion it evokes. It incorporates microtonal nuances that define its identity and expressiveness, connecting deeply with cultural and spiritual elements of Indian musical traditions.
Sonido 13: Sonido 13 refers to a specific microtonal pitch system that divides the octave into thirteen distinct pitches, allowing for nuanced musical expression beyond traditional Western tuning. This system is significant in various contemporary music practices, particularly those that embrace microtonality and challenge conventional Western music structures.
Spectral music: Spectral music is a style of composition that emerged in the late 20th century, focusing on the analysis and manipulation of sound spectra, which are the frequencies present in sound and their amplitudes. This approach emphasizes timbre and texture, often using computer technology to analyze sound, revealing the harmonic structures and overtones that are not always perceptible to the human ear. By utilizing microtonality and spectral analysis, composers create works that explore new sonic possibilities and redefine traditional musical structures.
Synthesizers: Synthesizers are electronic instruments that generate audio signals to create sound. They manipulate various sound parameters such as pitch, timbre, and dynamics through oscillators, filters, and modulation, allowing for a vast range of sonic possibilities. This versatility has made synthesizers crucial in many music genres, facilitating unique textures and innovative sounds that shaped musical styles over decades.
Tonal flexibility: Tonal flexibility refers to the ability of music to move between different tonal centers and scales, allowing for a broader range of expressiveness and experimentation. This concept is crucial in modern music, as it enables composers and performers to explore various emotional landscapes by shifting harmonic frameworks. It also allows for the integration of microtonal elements, expanding traditional boundaries and creating unique soundscapes.
Wendy Carlos: Wendy Carlos is a pioneering American composer and electronic musician known for her innovative work in electronic music, particularly with synthesizers. She gained prominence in the 1960s for her groundbreaking album 'Switched-On Bach,' which popularized the use of the Moog synthesizer and showcased the potential of electronic sound in classical music. Her contributions have significantly influenced the development of early electronic instruments, analog synthesizers, microtonality, and the wider realm of electronic music.