Definitions of tuning terms

© 1998 by Joseph L. Monzo

All definitions by Joe Monzo unless otherwise cited


interval


    1. The size between two different pitches, or the section of the linearly-perceived pitch-continuum bounded by those two pitches.

    Any number of mathematical expressions may be used to describe the size of an interval, but two are far more common than any others: as an integer ratio describing the proportional relationship between two frequencies, for example, '2:3'; or as an ordinal integer describing the linear relationship between two degrees (in the 'Roman numeral' sense of 'degree'), for example, '5th'.

    2. The name of a journal concerned with microtonal music and theory, founded by Jonathan Glasier in San Diego in 1978 and published regularly until 1987. For more information, see here.

    [from Joe Monzo, JustMusic: A New Harmony]


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