The harmonic scale is a "super-just" musical scale allowing extended just intonation, beyond 5-limit to the 19th harmonic (Playⓘ), and free modulation through the use of synthesizers. Transpositions and tuning tables are controlled by the left hand on the appropriate note on a one-octave keyboard.[1]
For example, if the harmonic scale is tuned to a fundamental of C, then harmonics 16–32 are as follows:
Notation | Harmonics[2] | Cents | ||
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C | C | C | 16ⓘ | 0 |
C♯ | C♯ | D♭ | 17ⓘ | 104.96 |
D | D | D♮ | 18ⓘ | 203.91 |
E♭ | E♭ | E♭ | 19ⓘ | 297.51 |
E♮ | E♮ | E↓ | 20ⓘ | 386.31 |
F | F+ | F | 21ⓘ | 470.78 |
F♯ | F↑ | F♯ | 22ⓘ | 551.32 |
G | G | G | 24ⓘ | 701.96 |
A♭ | A♭ | A♭ | 26ⓘ | 840.53 |
A♮ | A♮+ | A♮ | 27ⓘ | 905.87 |
B♭ | B♭ | B♭ | 28ⓘ | 968.83 |
B♮ | B♮ | B♮↓ | 30ⓘ | 1088.27 |
C' | C' | C' | 32ⓘ | 1200 |
Some harmonics are not included:[1] 23, 25, 29, & 31. The 21st is a natural seventh above G, but not a great interval above C, and the 27th is a just fifth above D. Play diatonic scaleⓘ
It was invented by Wendy Carlos and used on three pieces on her album Beauty in the Beast (1986): Just Imaginings, That's Just It, and Yusae-Aisae. Versions of the scale have also been used by Ezra Sims, Franz Richter Herf and Gosheven.[3]
Though described by Carlos as containing "144 [= 122] distinct pitches to the octave",[4] the twelve scales include 78 (= 12(12+1)/2) notes per octave.
Technically there should then be duplicates and thus 57 (= 78 − 21) pitches (21 = 6(6+1)/2). For example, a perfect fifth above G (D) is the major tone above C.
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Measurement |
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Just intonation |
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Temperaments |
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Traditional non-Western |
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Non-octave |
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Main Western |
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Other types |
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Ethnic origin |
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Non-octave |
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Modes |
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Number of tones |
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Albums |
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Soundtrack albums |
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Musical tunings |
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