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There are many ways to learn about [[microtonal music]], and luckily there are many resources available!
{{About|guides to learning microtonal music|the Xen Wiki style guide|Xenharmonic Wiki: Article guidelines}}
 
There are many ways to learn about [[microtonal music]], and luckily there are many resources available{{cn}}!
 
== How to learn ==
=== 1. Read, read, read ===
Not much to say in general since you are already on the xenharmonic wiki. There's a lot of math out there related to tunings; it's up to you how deep you want to go into it. Just keep clicking links!
 
==== 1a. Remain skeptical ====
A critical element to your approach to learning about tunings in the internet is skepticism. The internet has a tendency to allow misinformation to prevail so, especially in this niche of relatively new theory, be sure to keep in mind what interest is advanced by someone else's writings, and what it is they may be leaving out.
 
==== 1b. Tools, not rules ====
Regardless of the objective veracity of someone else's claims, they usually provide (and are often motivated by) some new or different approach to music making. If one approach is musically useful to you, feel free to use it, and if it is not, feel free not to, regardless of how many other people say it is the "right way".
 
=== 2. Listen and play ===
It's easy to spend a disproportionate amount of time on #1, but two of the best ways to learn about xenharmonics are to listen to and to play them yourself. Check out the [[Listen|Microtonal listening list]] for the former, and the [[Software]] and [[Instruments]] page for the latter. Most of these scales and tunings are brand new, so it's almost a given that you'll learn things that no one else has figured out by playing and writing yourself. That means you won't read about it anywhere until you write it yourself!
 
=== 3. Network ===
Naturally, some find it encouraging to interact with others working in the same area of study. Here are a few relevant online communities:
 
<u>'''[[Links #Maps|Maps]]'''</u> | '''Forums''' (<u>[[Links #Discord server|Discord]]</u> <u>[[Links #Facebook groups|Facebook]]</u>) | <u>'''[[Links #Educational websites|Educational websites]]'''</u>


== Overviews ==
== Overviews ==
Line 10: Line 30:
** Buying a microtonal-fretted guitar.
** Buying a microtonal-fretted guitar.
* [[List of approaches to musical tuning]]: Musical [[tuning]] can be approached in many different ways, and this article gives a good overview of these approaches.
* [[List of approaches to musical tuning]]: Musical [[tuning]] can be approached in many different ways, and this article gives a good overview of these approaches.
* ... and many more in [[:Category:Overview]].
* … and many more in [[:Category: Overview]].


== Articles ==
== Articles ==
Line 18: Line 38:
* [[Creating Scala scl files for rank two temperaments]]: A tutorial for musicians not yet familiar with the [[Scala]] software who wish to create tuning files for use with [[Instruments#Electronic instruments|electronic instruments]] or [[DAWs]].
* [[Creating Scala scl files for rank two temperaments]]: A tutorial for musicians not yet familiar with the [[Scala]] software who wish to create tuning files for use with [[Instruments#Electronic instruments|electronic instruments]] or [[DAWs]].
* [[Finale Microtonal Accidentals and Playback]]: How to easily start writing microtonal music today! Customize Finale for microtonal display and output.
* [[Finale Microtonal Accidentals and Playback]]: How to easily start writing microtonal music today! Customize Finale for microtonal display and output.
* ... and many more in [[:Category:Guides]].
* ''[https://hackmd.io/@euwbah/extending-harmonic-principles-1 Extending harmonic principles in 12edo to 31edo (external link)]'': A course by @euwbah on HackMD, aimed at musicians familiar with common practice music theory but unfamiliar with microtones. It uses [[31edo]] as a bridge to generalize [[12edo]] concepts to a purer more abstract form, which can then be applied to any [[tuning]].
* … and many more in [[:Category: Guides]].


== Videos ==
== Videos ==
Line 29: Line 50:


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[MicroPedagogyCollective]] — pedagogy-related projects
* [[MicroPedagogyCollective]] – pedagogy-related projects
* [[Pedagogy questions]]
* [[Pedagogy questions]]
* [[The Library]] — a list of periodicals, papers, dissertations and books about microtonal music
* [[The Library]] – a list of periodicals, papers, dissertations and books about microtonal music
* [[Corollaries]] – little thought-provoking tidbits about tuning
* [[Composing Powerstart]]


[[Category:Pedagogy]]
[[Category:Pedagogy]]

Latest revision as of 18:29, 10 April 2025

This page is about guides to learning microtonal music. For the Xen Wiki style guide, see Xenharmonic Wiki: Article guidelines.

There are many ways to learn about microtonal music, and luckily there are many resources available[citation needed]!

How to learn

1. Read, read, read

Not much to say in general since you are already on the xenharmonic wiki. There's a lot of math out there related to tunings; it's up to you how deep you want to go into it. Just keep clicking links!

1a. Remain skeptical

A critical element to your approach to learning about tunings in the internet is skepticism. The internet has a tendency to allow misinformation to prevail so, especially in this niche of relatively new theory, be sure to keep in mind what interest is advanced by someone else's writings, and what it is they may be leaving out.

1b. Tools, not rules

Regardless of the objective veracity of someone else's claims, they usually provide (and are often motivated by) some new or different approach to music making. If one approach is musically useful to you, feel free to use it, and if it is not, feel free not to, regardless of how many other people say it is the "right way".

2. Listen and play

It's easy to spend a disproportionate amount of time on #1, but two of the best ways to learn about xenharmonics are to listen to and to play them yourself. Check out the Microtonal listening list for the former, and the Software and Instruments page for the latter. Most of these scales and tunings are brand new, so it's almost a given that you'll learn things that no one else has figured out by playing and writing yourself. That means you won't read about it anywhere until you write it yourself!

3. Network

Naturally, some find it encouraging to interact with others working in the same area of study. Here are a few relevant online communities:

Maps | Forums (Discord Facebook) | Educational websites

Overviews

Overviews contain general discussions about microtonal music, including essays, questions and answers, etc. This is a good place if you don't know where to start!

  • Making Microtonal Music is Easier Than You’d Think: Comprehensive 9000-word tutorial with many images. The article explains xen; from what it even is, to linking resources (including ones on this wiki), to explaining how to make microtonal music in five methods of increasing complexity and cost. Goes from free and easy to more complicated and costing hundreds (or thousands) of dollars/pounds/euros:
    • Using a free browser-based synth
    • Using free VST plug-ins
    • Changing the settings in the program Kontakt / Micro-tuning synths in Reaktor
    • Removing the frets on a guitar
    • Buying a microtonal-fretted guitar.
  • List of approaches to musical tuning: Musical tuning can be approached in many different ways, and this article gives a good overview of these approaches.
  • … and many more in Category: Overview.

Articles

Guides that provide basic (and sometimes advanced) information on various topics, aimed at readers who are not yet familiar with these topics.

Videos

Podcasts

See also

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