Microtonal Music Wayne Wu Definition Microtonal music means

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Microtonal Music Wayne Wu

Microtonal Music Wayne Wu

Definition Microtonal music means music that uses temperaments that divides an Octave into more

Definition Microtonal music means music that uses temperaments that divides an Octave into more than 12 notes. Nowadays, it is used to describe any music that deviates from the standard 12 -tone Equal Temperament.

Disclaimer In this presentation, we will look at microtonal music from a Western perspective.

Disclaimer In this presentation, we will look at microtonal music from a Western perspective. In many cultures in the world, the Octave is not divided into 12 tones, so in their perspective, microtonal music might be the norm.

Reminder of the 12 TET A A♯/B ♭ B C C♯/D ♭ D D♯/E

Reminder of the 12 TET A A♯/B ♭ B C C♯/D ♭ D D♯/E ♭ E F How do we quantify the deviation from this system? F♯/G ♭ G G♯/A ♭

Cents

Cents

24 TET This is because it preserves all the notes that are originally in

24 TET This is because it preserves all the notes that are originally in the 12 TET.

Music in 24 TET Classical musicians compose & play music in 24 TET often

Music in 24 TET Classical musicians compose & play music in 24 TET often by using two pianos, such as Ivan Wyschnegradsky’s 24 Preludes for Quarter-Tone Piano:

19 TET This is because we can actually build a major scale based on

19 TET This is because we can actually build a major scale based on it!

19 TET Major Scale 12 TET major scale: W(2) H(1) W(2) H(1) S(2) L(3)

19 TET Major Scale 12 TET major scale: W(2) H(1) W(2) H(1) S(2) L(3) S(2) Which sounds like: 19 TET major scale: L(3) Which sounds like:

Music in 19 TET Halfway through the audio, the temperament switches from 12 TET

Music in 19 TET Halfway through the audio, the temperament switches from 12 TET to 19 TET

Just Intervals in Cents Since we have lost all the just intervals other than

Just Intervals in Cents Since we have lost all the just intervals other than the octaves in 12 TET, the just intervals would have “weird” cent numbers: 3: 2 “Perfect Fifth” – 701. 96 (1. 96 cents sharp) 5: 4 “Major Third” – 386. 31 (13. 69 cents flat) 6: 5 “Minor Third” – 315. 64 (15. 64 cents sharp) 15: 8 “Major Seventh” – 1088. 27 (11. 73 cents flat)

Which Means… If we play music according to Just Intonation, it will be considered

Which Means… If we play music according to Just Intonation, it will be considered “microtonal” and “out of tune”

Just Intonated Music • Ben Johnston – String Quartet No. 7: Using Just Intervals

Just Intonated Music • Ben Johnston – String Quartet No. 7: Using Just Intervals to compose music that “defies” the 12 TET tuning system. • Jacob Collier – In the Bleak Midwinter: Using Just Intonation to modulate (change key) from E Major to G Half Sharp Major • My own experiment with Quarter Tone Modulation

References • “Microtonality in Western Music. ” You. Tube, uploaded by David Bennett Piano,

References • “Microtonality in Western Music. ” You. Tube, uploaded by David Bennett Piano, 22 May 2020, https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=q 1 XOn. Ik 2 ai 8&t=137 s • “How to Modulate to G 1/2 Sharp (Jacob Collier-style). ” You. Tube, uploaded by David Bruce Composer, 12 July 2019, https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Xd 54 l 8 gfi 7 M&t=671 s • “Christmas Microtonal Lo-Fi Hip Hop. ” You. Tube, uploaded by Adam Neely, 23 Dec 2019, https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=qyxyo 8 E 0 Hx 0&t=52 s • “Why your MUSIC sounds 12 Shades of Grey (Alternatives to 12 Tone Equal Temperament). ” You. Tube, uploaded by David Bruce Composer, 1 Feb 2019, https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=F 9 Zv 6 MGdh 7 Y