Comma - Revision history

Overthink: /* As an interval region */ expand description

2026-05-25T05:10:04Z

As an interval region: expand description

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:10, 25 May 2026
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	{{Main\| Comma and diesis }}		{{Main\| Comma and diesis }}

	''~~Comma~~'' can be used to refer to any interval bigger than 0 ~~[[cents]]~~, but smaller than around 30 ~~cents~~.		As an interval region, a '''comma''' can be used to refer to any interval bigger than 0{{c}}, but smaller than around 30{{c}}. Comma-sized intervals can be used in melody as an {{W\|appoggiatura}}, an {{W\|acciaccatura}}, or a quick passing tone. Two notes that differ by a comma can be played together for a "shimmer" effect that results from beating between the tones.

			Most commonly, commas serve as the separation between two close intervals, such as 9/8 and 8/7. Playing notes a comma apart in succession usually sounds like a "dirty" variation of the same note rather than a distinct melodic step, with the smallest intervals that sounds like a distinct step being around a [[quartertone]] in size.

	== Lists of commas by size ==		== Lists of commas by size ==

Sintel: impressive to make three errors in a single sentence

2026-05-20T10:13:24Z

impressive to make three errors in a single sentence

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:13, 20 May 2026
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	}}		}}
	{{Wikipedia\|Comma (music)}}		{{Wikipedia\|Comma (music)}}
	In just intonation, a '''comma''' is a small [[interval]] that occurs between two intervals which are close in [[pitch~~]]. Commas are always greater than [[1/1]] (0 [[cent]]s) and not a power such as a square or cube of any other just interval, and generally in a low [[prime limit~~]].		In just intonation, a '''comma''' is a small [[interval]] that occurs between two intervals which are close in [[pitch]].

	Commas are often considered [[dissonant]] due to their small but noticeable [[interval size measure\|size]] which induces an audible [[beat]]. In addition, certain chord progressions are [[comma pump]]s, which may cause the [[tonal center]] of a piece to drift up or down in pitch over time. These effects can be treated either as features to be desired or as problems to be solved. Examples of approaches that try to solve these problems include [[adaptive just intonation]], [[temperament]]s, and [[fudging]].		Commas are often considered [[dissonant]] due to their small but noticeable [[interval size measure\|size]] which induces an audible [[beat]]. In addition, certain chord progressions are [[comma pump]]s, which may cause the [[tonal center]] of a piece to drift up or down in pitch over time. These effects can be treated either as features to be desired or as problems to be solved. Examples of approaches that try to solve these problems include [[adaptive just intonation]], [[temperament]]s, and [[fudging]].

FloraC: Undo revision 230642 by Xenllium (talk)

2026-05-20T07:57:20Z

Undo revision 230642 by Xenllium (talk)

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:57, 20 May 2026
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	* [[Superparticular ratio]]		* [[Superparticular ratio]]
	* [[Wolf interval]]		* [[Wolf interval]]
	* [[Octave-splitting comma]]

	== External links ==		== External links ==

Xenllium at 03:47, 20 May 2026

2026-05-20T03:47:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:47, 20 May 2026
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	* [[Superparticular ratio]]		* [[Superparticular ratio]]
	* [[Wolf interval]]		* [[Wolf interval]]
			* [[Octave-splitting comma]]

	== External links ==		== External links ==

Eufalesio: Changed comma block visualizator

2026-05-03T15:55:46Z

Changed comma block visualizator

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:55, 3 May 2026
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	In [[regular temperament theory]], a comma is something to be ''[[tempered out]]'', equating two mathematically distinct intervals. For example, the [[syntonic comma]] (81/80), which occurs between [[10/9]] and [[9/8]] as well as between [[81/64]] and [[5/4]], is tempered out by [[meantone]] temperament and thus conflates these two pairs of intervals.		In [[regular temperament theory]], a comma is something to be ''[[tempered out]]'', equating two mathematically distinct intervals. For example, the [[syntonic comma]] (81/80), which occurs between [[10/9]] and [[9/8]] as well as between [[81/64]] and [[5/4]], is tempered out by [[meantone]] temperament and thus conflates these two pairs of intervals.
			[[File:EufaJICommasFinalV2.svg\|thumb\|A visualization of intervals commonly used as commas, built from stacked intervals, to scale.]]
	[[File:~~EufaJIcommasFinal1~~.svg\|thumb\|A visualization of intervals commonly used as commas, built from stacked intervals, to scale.]]

	Commas are usually written as [[frequency ratio]]s, but they can also be written as products of primes, sometimes called [[monzo]]s or '''unison vectors'''. The [[color name]] refers to both the comma and the temperament created when it is tempered out, except for 3-limit commas, which create [[edo]]s, commonly called n-commas, such as the [[29-comma]], or the [[41-comma]].		Commas are usually written as [[frequency ratio]]s, but they can also be written as products of primes, sometimes called [[monzo]]s or '''unison vectors'''. The [[color name]] refers to both the comma and the temperament created when it is tempered out, except for 3-limit commas, which create [[edo]]s, commonly called n-commas, such as the [[29-comma]], or the [[41-comma]].

FloraC: Temperament accuracy depends on the complexity of the comma too, so we can't just say a comma size corresponds to a category of temperament accuracy

2025-12-06T09:01:22Z

Temperament accuracy depends on the complexity of the comma too, so we can't just say a comma size corresponds to a category of temperament accuracy

Eufalesio: Rewrite of many parts and added a graph showcasing many common commas to scale

2025-12-05T16:34:37Z

Rewrite of many parts and added a graph showcasing many common commas to scale

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:34, 5 December 2025
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	In just intonation, a '''comma''' is a small [[interval]] that occurs between two intervals which are close in [[pitch]]. Commas are always greater than [[1/1]] (0 [[cent]]s) and not a power such as a square or cube of any other just interval, and generally in a low [[prime limit]].		In just intonation, a '''comma''' is a small [[interval]] that occurs between two intervals which are close in [[pitch]]. Commas are always greater than [[1/1]] (0 [[cent]]s) and not a power such as a square or cube of any other just interval, and generally in a low [[prime limit]].

	~~Some commas~~ are considered [[dissonant]] due to their small but noticeable [[interval size measure\|size]] which induces an audible [[beat]]. In addition, certain chord progressions are [[comma pump]]s, which may cause the [[tonal center]] of a piece to drift up or down in pitch over time. These effects can be treated either as features or as problems to be solved. Examples of approaches that try to solve these problems include [[adaptive just intonation]] and [[~~temperament~~]].		Commas are often considered [[dissonant]] due to their small but noticeable [[interval size measure\|size]] which induces an audible [[beat]]. In addition, certain chord progressions are [[comma pump]]s, which may cause the [[tonal center]] of a piece to drift up or down in pitch over time. These effects can be treated either as features to be desired or as problems to be solved. Examples of approaches that try to solve these problems include [[adaptive just intonation]], [[temperament\|temperaments]], and [[fudging]].

	In [[regular temperament theory]], a comma ~~can~~ be ''[[tempered out]]'', ~~which is to say reduced to a [[unison]], by a temperament, thereby~~ equating ~~the~~ intervals ~~separated by that comma~~. For example, the [[syntonic comma]] (81/80), which occurs between [[10/9]] and [[9/8]], as well as [[81/64]] and [[5/4]], is tempered out by [[meantone]] temperament.		In [[regular temperament theory]], a comma is something to be ''[[tempered out]]'', equating two mathematically distinct intervals. For example, the [[syntonic comma]] (81/80), which occurs between [[10/9]] and [[9/8]] as well as between [[81/64]] and [[5/4]], is tempered out by [[meantone]] temperament and thus conflates these two pairs of intervals.
			[[File:EufaJIcommasFinal1.svg\|thumb\|A visualization of intervals commonly used as commas, built from stacked intervals, to scale.]]
	Commas are usually written as [[frequency ratio]]s, but they can also be written as ~~vectors~~, sometimes called [[monzo]]s or '''unison vectors'''~~. The following lists mostly give both forms, as well as the size in cents~~. The [[color name]] refers to both the comma and the temperament created when it is tempered out, except for 3-limit commas, which create [[edo]]s.		Commas are usually written as [[frequency ratio]]s, but they can also be written as products of primes, sometimes called [[monzo]]s or '''unison vectors'''. The [[color name]] refers to both the comma and the temperament created when it is tempered out, except for 3-limit commas, which create [[edo]]s, commonly called n-commas, such as the [[29-comma]], or the [[41-comma]].

	== As an interval region ==		== As an interval region ==
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	== Lists of commas by size ==		== Lists of commas by size ==
	Commas can theoretically have any size, but in practice most are smaller than a [[12edo]] semitone (100{{cent}}). The following categories, while arbitrary, are used on the Xenharmonic Wiki to classify commas by size.		Commas can theoretically have any size, but in practice most are much smaller than a [[12edo]] semitone (100{{cent}}). The following categories, while arbitrary, are used on the Xenharmonic Wiki to classify commas by size.
	* [[Unnoticeable comma]]: under 3.5 cents in size~~. The 3.5-cent boundary roughly correlates to~~ the melodic [[just-noticeable difference]] ~~of pitch perception~~.		* [[Unnoticeable comma]]: under 3.5 cents in size; below the melodic [[just-noticeable difference]] and thus imperceptible. Tempering these commas out produces [[very high accuracy temperaments]] or [[Microtemperament\|microtemperaments]].
	* [[Small comma]]: between 3.5 and 30 cents.		* [[Small comma]]: between 3.5 and 30 cents. Tempering these commas out produces moderate accuracy temperaments.
	* [[Medium comma]]: between 30 and 100 cents.		* [[Medium comma]]: between 30 and 100 cents. Tempering these commas out produces low accuracy temperaments.
	* [[Large comma]]: over 100 cents in size. ~~The 100-cent limit matches the 12edo semitone~~.		* [[Large comma]]: over 100 cents in size; much wider than what is typically considered to be a comma. Tempering these commas out produces [[very low accuracy temperaments]] or [[Exotemperament\|exotemperaments]].

	== See also ==		== See also ==

FloraC: Cleanup (no one says "comma (interval region)" in speech)

2025-05-22T10:39:02Z

Cleanup (no one says "comma (interval region)" in speech)

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:39, 22 May 2025
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	Commas are usually written as [[frequency ratio]]s, but they can also be written as vectors, sometimes called [[monzo]]s or '''unison vectors'''. The following lists mostly give both forms, as well as the size in cents. The [[color name]] refers to both the comma and the temperament created when it is tempered out, except for 3-limit commas, which create [[edo]]s.		Commas are usually written as [[frequency ratio]]s, but they can also be written as vectors, sometimes called [[monzo]]s or '''unison vectors'''. The following lists mostly give both forms, as well as the size in cents. The [[color name]] refers to both the comma and the temperament created when it is tempered out, except for 3-limit commas, which create [[edo]]s.

	== ~~Comma (~~interval region) ==		== As an interval region ==
	''Comma'' can~~, less often,~~ be used to refer to any interval bigger than 0 [[cents]], but smaller than around 30 cents. To distinguish this from the more widely used definition of ''comma'' described above, this is usually called '''comma (interval region)'''. For ''comma (interval region)'', see the page: '''[[Comma and diesis]]'''.		{{Main\| Comma and diesis }}

			''Comma'' can be used to refer to any interval bigger than 0 [[cents]], but smaller than around 30 cents.

	== Lists of commas by size ==		== Lists of commas by size ==

VectorGraphics: any interval is the square of its square root

2025-05-22T00:04:47Z

any interval is the square of its square root

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:04, 22 May 2025
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	}}		}}
	{{Wikipedia\|Comma (music)}}		{{Wikipedia\|Comma (music)}}
	A '''comma''' is a small [[interval]] that occurs ~~in [[just intonation]]~~ between two intervals which are close in [[pitch]]. Commas are always greater than [[1/1]] (0 [[cent]]s) and not a power such as a square or cube of any other interval, and generally in a low [[prime limit]].		In just intonation, a '''comma''' is a small [[interval]] that occurs between two intervals which are close in [[pitch]]. Commas are always greater than [[1/1]] (0 [[cent]]s) and not a power such as a square or cube of any other just interval, and generally in a low [[prime limit]].

	Some commas are considered [[dissonant]] due to their small but noticeable [[interval size measure\|size]] which induces an audible [[beat]]. In addition, certain chord progressions are [[comma pump]]s, which may cause the [[tonal center]] of a piece to drift up or down in pitch over time. These effects can be treated either as features or as problems to be solved. Examples of approaches that try to solve these problems include [[adaptive just intonation]] and [[temperament]].		Some commas are considered [[dissonant]] due to their small but noticeable [[interval size measure\|size]] which induces an audible [[beat]]. In addition, certain chord progressions are [[comma pump]]s, which may cause the [[tonal center]] of a piece to drift up or down in pitch over time. These effects can be treated either as features or as problems to be solved. Examples of approaches that try to solve these problems include [[adaptive just intonation]] and [[temperament]].

BudjarnLambeth: Added section disambiguating the other use of the term

2025-03-29T00:40:57Z

Added section disambiguating the other use of the term

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:40, 29 March 2025
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	Commas are usually written as [[frequency ratio]]s, but they can also be written as vectors, sometimes called [[monzo]]s or '''unison vectors'''. The following lists mostly give both forms, as well as the size in cents. The [[color name]] refers to both the comma and the temperament created when it is tempered out, except for 3-limit commas, which create [[edo]]s.		Commas are usually written as [[frequency ratio]]s, but they can also be written as vectors, sometimes called [[monzo]]s or '''unison vectors'''. The following lists mostly give both forms, as well as the size in cents. The [[color name]] refers to both the comma and the temperament created when it is tempered out, except for 3-limit commas, which create [[edo]]s.

			== Comma (interval region) ==
			''Comma'' can, less often, be used to refer to any interval bigger than 0 [[cents]], but smaller than around 30 cents. To distinguish this from the more widely used definition of ''comma'' described above, this is usually called '''comma (interval region)'''. For ''comma (interval region)'', see the page: '''[[Comma and diesis]]'''.

	== Lists of commas by size ==		== Lists of commas by size ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:01, 6 December 2025
Line 9:		Line 9:
	In just intonation, a '''comma''' is a small [[interval]] that occurs between two intervals which are close in [[pitch]]. Commas are always greater than [[1/1]] (0 [[cent]]s) and not a power such as a square or cube of any other just interval, and generally in a low [[prime limit]].		In just intonation, a '''comma''' is a small [[interval]] that occurs between two intervals which are close in [[pitch]]. Commas are always greater than [[1/1]] (0 [[cent]]s) and not a power such as a square or cube of any other just interval, and generally in a low [[prime limit]].

	Commas are often considered [[dissonant]] due to their small but noticeable [[interval size measure\|size]] which induces an audible [[beat]]. In addition, certain chord progressions are [[comma pump]]s, which may cause the [[tonal center]] of a piece to drift up or down in pitch over time. These effects can be treated either as features to be desired or as problems to be solved. Examples of approaches that try to solve these problems include [[adaptive just intonation]], [[temperament~~\|temperaments~~]], and [[fudging]].		Commas are often considered [[dissonant]] due to their small but noticeable [[interval size measure\|size]] which induces an audible [[beat]]. In addition, certain chord progressions are [[comma pump]]s, which may cause the [[tonal center]] of a piece to drift up or down in pitch over time. These effects can be treated either as features to be desired or as problems to be solved. Examples of approaches that try to solve these problems include [[adaptive just intonation]], [[temperament]]s, and [[fudging]].

	In [[regular temperament theory]], a comma is something to be ''[[tempered out]]'', equating two mathematically distinct intervals. For example, the [[syntonic comma]] (81/80), which occurs between [[10/9]] and [[9/8]] as well as between [[81/64]] and [[5/4]], is tempered out by [[meantone]] temperament and thus conflates these two pairs of intervals.		In [[regular temperament theory]], a comma is something to be ''[[tempered out]]'', equating two mathematically distinct intervals. For example, the [[syntonic comma]] (81/80), which occurs between [[10/9]] and [[9/8]] as well as between [[81/64]] and [[5/4]], is tempered out by [[meantone]] temperament and thus conflates these two pairs of intervals.

	[[File:EufaJIcommasFinal1.svg\|thumb\|A visualization of intervals commonly used as commas, built from stacked intervals, to scale.]]		[[File:EufaJIcommasFinal1.svg\|thumb\|A visualization of intervals commonly used as commas, built from stacked intervals, to scale.]]

	Commas are usually written as [[frequency ratio]]s, but they can also be written as products of primes, sometimes called [[monzo]]s or '''unison vectors'''. The [[color name]] refers to both the comma and the temperament created when it is tempered out, except for 3-limit commas, which create [[edo]]s, commonly called n-commas, such as the [[29-comma]], or the [[41-comma]].		Commas are usually written as [[frequency ratio]]s, but they can also be written as products of primes, sometimes called [[monzo]]s or '''unison vectors'''. The [[color name]] refers to both the comma and the temperament created when it is tempered out, except for 3-limit commas, which create [[edo]]s, commonly called n-commas, such as the [[29-comma]], or the [[41-comma]].

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	== Lists of commas by size ==		== Lists of commas by size ==
	Commas can theoretically have any size, but in practice most are much smaller than a [[12edo]] semitone (100{{cent}}). The following categories, while arbitrary, are used on the Xenharmonic Wiki to classify commas by size.		Commas can theoretically have any size, but in practice most are much smaller than a [[12edo]] semitone (100{{cent}}). The following categories, while arbitrary, are used on the Xenharmonic Wiki to classify commas by size.
	* [[Unnoticeable comma]]: under 3.5 cents in size; below the melodic [[just-noticeable difference]] and thus imperceptible~~. Tempering these commas out produces [[very high accuracy temperaments]] or [[Microtemperament\|microtemperaments]]~~.		* [[Unnoticeable comma]]: under 3.5 cents in size; below the rough boundary of melodic [[just-noticeable difference]] and thus imperceptible.
	* [[Small comma]]: between 3.5 and 30 cents~~. Tempering these commas out produces moderate accuracy temperaments~~.		* [[Small comma]]: between 3.5 and 30 cents.
	* [[Medium comma]]: between 30 and 100 cents~~. Tempering these commas out produces low accuracy temperaments~~.		* [[Medium comma]]: between 30 and 100 cents.
	* [[Large comma]]: over 100 cents in size; much wider than what is typically considered to be a comma~~. Tempering these commas out produces [[very low accuracy temperaments]] or [[Exotemperament\|exotemperaments]]~~.		* [[Large comma]]: over 100 cents in size; much wider than what is typically considered to be a comma.

	== See also ==		== See also ==