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If you’ve recently heard about xenharmonic music (or “xen”, or “microtonal”, which means roughly the same thing) and want to learn more about it, this is the place to start. “Xenharmonic music” (or “xen music”) is music that sounds like it was tuned differently than most Western music. (Xenharmonic music is entirely separate from the 432Hz movement.) | {{Editable user page}} | ||
'''This would hopefully replace all three of Introduction, Introduction to Xenharmonics, and Composing Powerstart.''' | |||
If you’ve recently heard about xenharmonic music (or “xen”, or “microtonal”, which means [[Microtonal music#Terminology|roughly]] the same thing) and want to learn more about it, this is the place to start. “Xenharmonic music” (or “xen music”) is music that sounds like it was tuned differently than most Western music. (Xenharmonic music is entirely separate from the 432Hz movement.) | |||
Xenharmonic music usually sounds “off” to most listeners at first. This subsides eventually, and most people gradually find that xenharmonic music sounds more expressive and varied than music in 12edo. | Xenharmonic music usually sounds “off” to most listeners at first. This subsides eventually, and most people gradually find that xenharmonic music sounds more expressive and varied than music in 12edo. | ||
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Here’s what you can find on this page—read the section that is most relevant to you. | Here’s what you can find on this page—read the section that is most relevant to you. | ||
== | == How do I find xenharmonic music to listen to? == | ||
=== Finding works you like by genre === | |||
Here’s a list of xenharmonic music by genre. For a list of more works, see [[User:Hkm/Rankings]]. | |||
'''Classical''' | |||
''Juhani Nuorvala: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMDfQZg-tRQ Violin Sonata (22edo)].'' <br />One of the most beautiful classical works I’ve heard | |||
''Wendy Carlos: beauty in the beast (various systems).'' <br />A classic, although hard to find since Carlos hasn’t put it on streaming services. Unauthorized versions seem to drift on and off from public sites. | |||
''Easley Blackwood: microtonal etudes (various systems)''. Highlights: 16edo, 20edo, 15edo, 24edo. <br />Another classic. There are two versions; one ([https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtj_HurkS7ZxuwVsGuQ91qFrBPv4Gwa0R Blackwood’s original]) is entirely synth-based; the other ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfiurea0Ydg the version edited by Matthew Sheeran]) is produced through Melodyne on a small orchestra. Both are worth a listen. | |||
''Ben Johnston: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VX0tfFhkq8 String Quartet 10] ([[just intonation]] link somewhere down this page)'' <br />Another classic by one of the most well-known just intonation composers. | |||
''Fabio Costa: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq9-6NnXPVg aphoristic madrigal] (31edo).'' <br />If you’re interested in xenharmonic music for the weird harmonies, you’ll love this work. | |||
'' | |||
'' | ''Anything by Zheanna Erose (mostly 31edo).'' <br />One of the popularizers of 31edo. | ||
'' | ''Tapeworm Saga: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QooiCwiouPM Languor Study (26edo)].'' <br />An impressive application of a strange tuning. | ||
''' | '''Rock''' | ||
Anything by Brendan Byrnes. (22 or 27edo) | |||
''' | '''EDM''' | ||
Anything by Sevish (various systems) | |||
Anything by | |||
'''Idiosyncratic styles influenced by video game music''' | |||
''DotuXil: Collected refractions.'' | |||
''Groundfault: A New Dusk.'' <br />30 minutes of pure insanity. | |||
'' | |||
'' | ''Anything by JUMBLE.'' <br />Relaxing, vaguely ambient, music | ||
''' | '''Covers''' | ||
''Anything by Stephen Weigel'' | |||
Anything by Stephen Weigel | |||
== | == How do I make music? == | ||
Xenharmonic music is more interesting to make than music in 12edo because there are significant amounts of unexplored territory. (No one’s written a metal song in 18edo, for example.) Some xenharmonic tunings are also easier to work with than 12edo (although most are more difficult). | Xenharmonic music is more interesting to make than music in 12edo because there are significant amounts of unexplored territory. (No one’s written a metal song in 18edo, for example.) Some xenharmonic tunings are also easier to work with than 12edo (although most are more difficult). | ||
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You can play around with tunings in Scale Workshop before you use them. Larger tunings are more difficult to work with. You might have read that some tuning system is optimal in some way; such claims mean very little and usually come attached to tuning systems that are too unwieldy (>24 notes) to start with. If you want to work within these tuning systems anyway, you might want to work with a small subset of the notes available (which is what most xenharmonic composers do) | You can play around with tunings in Scale Workshop before you use them. Larger tunings are more difficult to work with. You might have read that some tuning system is optimal in some way; such claims mean very little and usually come attached to tuning systems that are too unwieldy (>24 notes) to start with. If you want to work within these tuning systems anyway, you might want to work with a small subset of the notes available (which is what most xenharmonic composers do) | ||
{{todo|inline=1|expand|comment=scale workshop links.}} | |||
'''10edo''' <br />This is probably the easiest edo to start with. Smaller edos can feel limiting, and larger edos can feel overwhelming. | |||
'''14edo''' <br />This is similar to 10edo and a good choice if you found 10edo to be great-sounding but a little too small for your taste. | |||
'''Ringer 14''' <br />This is a 14-note subset of just intonation (JI), where the frequency values of any two notes are in the ratio a:b where a and b are integers. Integer ratios (especially when a and b are small) tend to sound the most relaxed and consonant, but just intonation scales look very different depending which note you start on, which can be compositionally frustrating. | |||
'''Zil-14''' <br />This is a “maximum variety 3” (or MV3) scale, which means that n steps upwards will always get you one of a set three inteervals. | |||
'''Bicycle''' <br />This is a 12-note JI scale that can be mapped onto a piano. | |||
'''Superpyth[17]''' <br />This is an MV2 scale which will appeal to people who enjoy 22edo and 27edo. | |||
'''Mavila[7]''' <br />This is a small MV2 scale with an interesting mix of familiar and alien harmonies. | |||
'''Barbados[9]''' <br />Another MV2 scale featured in Sevish's work [https://sevish.bandcamp.com/track/desert-island-rain Desert Island Rain] | |||
=== Physical instruments to use === | |||
Here are a few physical instruments that can play xen music, sorted by price. The two cheapest options are good enough for most purposes. | |||
{{todo|inline=1|Explain what an isomorphic layout means, as well as how many keys one would want.}} | |||
'''Kalimbas and mbiras'''<br />''Price:'' $20-$100 <br />''Number of keys:'' about 20 <br />''Velocity sensitivity:'' Real <br />''Layout:'' Varies <br />''Retunability:'' Somewhat easy | |||
Kalimbas and mbiras can be retuned to xenharmonic scales, although trying to retune them to scales of more than seven notes can pose problems. | |||
'''Launchpad X'''<br />''Price:'' $200 <br />''Number of keys:'' 64-81 <br />''Velocity sensitivity:'' Yes <br />''Layout:'' Square <br />''Retunability:'' Easy | |||
Kalimbas and mbiras | |||
can be retuned to xenharmonic scales | |||
Launchpad X | |||
Can play edos up to 22 (if you care about having decent range) or higher (if you don’t) as an isomorphic keyboard, which means that if you play one pattern, move your hand somewhere else on the keyboard, and play the same pattern there, the two patterns will be exactly the same except that one will be higher than the other. Can also play any of the tunings in the earlier section handily. | Can play edos up to 22 (if you care about having decent range) or higher (if you don’t) as an isomorphic keyboard, which means that if you play one pattern, move your hand somewhere else on the keyboard, and play the same pattern there, the two patterns will be exactly the same except that one will be higher than the other. Can also play any of the tunings in the earlier section handily. | ||
Guitar | |||
'''Guitar''' <br />''Price:'' ~$350 <br />''Number of keys: ~''140 <br />''Velocity sensitivity:'' <br />''Layout:'' Varies (usually isomorphic) <br />''Retunability:'' Hard | |||
HexBoard | |||
You’ve heard of this one before. Spaces between frets get too small for comfort around 27edo, although a solution for 41edo (having frets for every other note in the scale and finding the whole gamut through other strings) is isomorphic and uniquely elegant. Fretless guitars are also an option. | |||
Electric piano (~$400 | |||
'''HexBoard''' <br />''Price:'' $400 <br />''Number of keys:'' 140 <br />''Velocity sensitivity:'' No <br />''Layout:'' Hex<br />''Retunability:'' Easy | |||
Marketed as a cheap alternative to the Lumatone. | |||
'''Electric piano (not recommended)''' <br />''Price:'' ~$400 <br />''Number of keys: 88'' <br />''Velocity sensitivity:'' Depends <br />''Layout:'' [[Halberstadt layout|Halberstadt]] <br />''Retunability:'' Easy | |||
Deals well with some scales with fewer than 12 notes, and a select number of larger scales. Not the best option if you don’t already have one | Deals well with some scales with fewer than 12 notes, and a select number of larger scales. Not the best option if you don’t already have one | ||
String instruments | |||
By far the most difficult option out of these. All string instruments can play xenharmonic music, although there’s a little more inherent inaccuracy in the smaller ones. Fretless guitar is the best and the cheapest | '''String instruments''' <br />''Price:'' $500-$3000 <br />''Number of keys:'' As many pitch classes are available as your fingers can manage, which is about 50 per octave <br />''Velocity sensitivity:'' Absolutely <br />''Layout:'' Isomorphic <br />''Retunability:'' Not necessary | ||
Lumatone | |||
By far the most difficult option out of these. All string instruments can play xenharmonic music, although there’s a little more inherent inaccuracy in the smaller ones. Fretless guitar is the best and the cheapest. | |||
'''Lumatone''' <br />''Price:'' $4000 <br />''Number of keys:'' ~300 <br />''Velocity sensitivity:'' Yes <br />''Layout:'' Hex <br />''Retunability:'' Easy | |||
Everything you could want out of a xenharmonic instrument if you like using scales smaller than 36 notes per octave. Also works somewhat well for larger scales. Generally considered to not be worth the price. | Everything you could want out of a xenharmonic instrument if you like using scales smaller than 36 notes per octave. Also works somewhat well for larger scales. Generally considered to not be worth the price. | ||
Methods of notation | |||
=== Methods of notation === | |||
This section assumes you know how to read standard 12edo note names. Learn that first if you don’t. | This section assumes you know how to read standard 12edo note names. Learn that first if you don’t. | ||
Most methods of notation on the five-line staff are such that (…-C#-F#)-B-E-A-D-G-C-F-(Bb-Eb-…) is a chain of equal fourths; these systems are called “chain-of-fourths” or “chain-of-fifths.” | Most methods of notation on the five-line staff are such that (…-C#-F#)-B-E-A-D-G-C-F-(Bb-Eb-…) is a chain of equal fourths; these systems are called “chain-of-fourths” or “chain-of-fifths.” | ||
The most popular way of notating edos is Ups and Downs notation, which is a chain-of-fifths notation where ^ and v are used as +1 and -1 step alterations. | |||
The most popular way to notate just intonation is HEJI, which also uses a chain-of-fourths notation; FJS (which I recommend), NFJS, and color notation are other chain-of-fourths options similar to HEJI, while Johnston notation is a non-chain-of-fourths notation fit for simple folk-like works | The most popular way of notating edos is Ups and Downs notation, which is a chain-of-fifths notation where ^ and v are used as +1 and -1 step alterations. | ||
Software to use | |||
The most popular way to notate just intonation is HEJI, which also uses a chain-of-fourths notation; FJS (which I recommend), NFJS, and color notation are other chain-of-fourths options similar to HEJI, while Johnston notation is a non-chain-of-fourths notation fit for simple folk-like works. If computer playback is not desired, it may be reasonable to notate just intonation through an edo such as [[41edo|41]], [[58edo|58]], or [[72edo|72]]. | |||
=== Software to use === | |||
Notation-based options work best for large scales and edos (>24 notes), while DAWs are preferable for smaller scales and EDOs. | Notation-based options work best for large scales and edos (>24 notes), while DAWs are preferable for smaller scales and EDOs. | ||
Notation-based options | |||
Musescore 4 using XenKit: FREE OPEN-SOURCE | ==== Notation-based options ==== | ||
The easiest way to write xenharmonic music through standard Western notation. | ''Musescore 4 using XenKit: FREE OPEN-SOURCE.'' The easiest way to write xenharmonic music through standard Western notation. | ||
Musescore 3 using XenTuner: FREE OPEN-SOURCE | |||
Use this as an alternative to Musescore 4 if you can’t download it or find XenKit limiting—XenKit has | ''Musescore 3 using XenTuner: FREE OPEN-SOURCE.'' Use this as an alternative to Musescore 4 if you can’t download it or find XenKit limiting—XenKit has fewer capabilities than XenTuner. | ||
DORICO: $100 | |||
''DORICO: $100'' | |||
Might be worth it if you’re serious about microtonal composition. Doesn’t require plugins, but it might be slower to update and harder to customize. | Might be worth it if you’re serious about microtonal composition. Doesn’t require plugins, but it might be slower to update and harder to customize. | ||
DAW-based options | |||
[ | ==== DAW-based options ==== | ||
{{todo|inline=1|expand}} | |||
[ | |||
== How do I read and navigate the wiki? == | |||
The wiki originated as a resource for [[Regular temperament theory]], so much of its material is related to that. (The wiki is steadily gaining information about alternative approaches, though!) If you're interested in reading about the mathematics of temperaments, read [[D&D's guide]]. | |||
=== Editing the wiki === | |||
If you understand a concept well enough to make its article more insightful, you are welcome to improve it. | |||
* Play in the [[SandBox]] to get the hang of editing. | |||
* As best as possible, adhere to [[Xenharmonic Wiki: Conventions]]. | |||
* [[Help: Editing]] and [[Xenharmonic Wiki: Article guidelines]] provide some tips as well. | |||
* [[Xenharmonic Wiki: Wikifuture]] is a wish list of sorts. | |||
* [[Xenharmonic Wiki: Things to do]] helps you find out what community projects are currently under way. | |||
* [[Xenharmonic Wiki: Five pillars]] summarises this wiki's fundamental principles. | |||
* Note that “[[Special:WantedPages]]” can be deceiving. Do not blindly create pages you see there. Read [[Xenharmonic Wiki:Conventions]] first. | |||