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<h2>IMPORTED REVISION FROM WIKISPACES</h2>
A concise list of essential [[:Category:Terms|terms]] in xenharmonic music theory. See also: [[acronyms]].
This is an imported revision from Wikispaces. The revision metadata is included below for reference:<br>
: This revision was by author [[User:xenwolf|xenwolf]] and made on <tt>2016-07-26 10:07:23 UTC</tt>.<br>
: The original revision id was <tt>587922555</tt>.<br>
: The revision comment was: <tt></tt><br>
The revision contents are below, presented both in the original Wikispaces Wikitext format, and in HTML exactly as Wikispaces rendered it.<br>
<h4>Original Wikitext content:</h4>
<div style="width:100%; max-height:400pt; overflow:auto; background-color:#f8f9fa; border: 1px solid #eaecf0; padding:0em"><pre style="margin:0px;border:none;background:none;word-wrap:break-word;white-space: pre-wrap ! important" class="old-revision-html">This page is for brief descriptions of terms essential to understanding contemporary xenharmonic theory.


**Hertz** - unit for frequency, counts per second
{{TOC Horizontal
| a1=[[#A|A]]
| a2=[[#B|B]]
| a3=[[#C|C]]
| a4=[[#D|D]]
| a5=[[#E|E]]
| a6=[[#F|F]]
| a7=[[#G|G]]
| a8=[[#H|H]]
| a9=[[#I|I]]
| a10=[[#J|J]]
| a11=[[#K|K]]
| a12=[[#L|L]]
| a13=[[#M|M]]
| a14=[[#N|N]]
| a15=[[#O|O]]
| a16=[[#P|P]]
| a17=[[#Q|Q]]
| a18=[[#R|R]]
| a19=[[#S|S]]
| a20=[[#T|T]]
| a21=[[#U|U]]
| a22=[[#V|V]]
| a23=[[#W|W&ndash;Z]]
| a24=[[#0&ndash;9|0&ndash;9]]
| a25=[[#See also|See also]]
}}


**pitch** - property of some sounds that allows them to be ordered on a one-dimensional 'pitch axis'. often measured in terms of the frequency (in Hertz) of a sine wave having the same pitch
== A ==
; [[achiral scale]] : A [[#S|scale]] whose mirror image (reversing the order of its [[#S|steps]]) is a [[#M|mode]] of the same scale.


**cents** - logarithmic units of measure. for a ratio R, 1200 * log2(R)
== B ==
; [[beat]] : An interference pattern between two sounds of slightly different [[#F|frequencies]], perceived as a periodic variation in volume whose rate is the difference of the two frequencies.


**interval** - distance between two pitches, expressed as their ratio (of their associated frequencies in Hertz) or in cents
; [[binary scale]] : A [[#S|scale]] with two different [[#S|step]] sizes.


**scale** - an ordered list of intervals. (exactly what can be described by a Scala file (.scl))
== C ==
; [[cent]] (¢) : A [[#U|unit of interval size]] equal to 1/1200th of an [[#O|octave]], or 1/100th of a [[12edo]] semitone.


**harmonic distance** - property of intervals other than size; a second type of distance, such that pitches separated by 'short' intervals are more likely to be confused (as by novice singers) than those separated by 'long' intervals. e.g. an octave is 'shorter' than a tritone. related to consonance
; [[chiral scale]] : A [[#S|scale]] whose mirror image (reversing the order of its [[#S|steps]]) is a different scale (not a [[#M|mode]] of the same scale).


**interval of equivalence** - an interval having small or zero harmonic distance, such as an octave (2:1 or 1200 cents)
; [[chord]] : A set of [[#P|pitches]] played simultaneously or in close succession.


**periodic scale** - a scale that repeats at an interval of equivalence
; [[chroma]] : An [[#I|interval]] equal to the difference between the large [[#S|step]] and the small step (L-s) of a [[#B|binary scale]].


**just intonation** - a set of intervals considered consonant and expressible as rational numbers
; [[comma]] : A small [[#I|interval]] that occurs in [[#J|just intonation]] between two intervals which are close in [[#P|pitch]].


**generators** - a set of intervals that generate a larger set through linear combination. e.g. the primes {2, 3} generate the Pythogorean scale
; [[comma pump]] : A harmonic sequence (or [[#C|chord]] progression) wherein the [[#T|tonic]] shifts up or down by a [[#C|comma]] every time the sequence is traversed.


**temperament** - a mapping from a just intonation to a set of intervals with fewer generators. expressible as a mapping matrix whose columns are generators of the just intonation and whose rows are generators of the temperament. traditionally, any tuning not based on just or integer ratios.
; [[complement]] : The difference between an [[#I|interval]] and the [[#O|octave]] or another [[#E|equivalence interval]].


**rank** - the number of generators of a set of intervals. e.g. 12-tone equal temperament is rank-1 because it is generated by the semitone; the Pythagorean scale is rank-2 because it is generated by the primes {2, 3}
; [[concordance]] : The perceived smoothness of an [[#I|interval]] or [[#C|chord]].


**equal temperament** - a rank-1 temperament
; [[consonance]] : The subjective, contextual smoothness of an [[#I|interval]] or [[#C|chord]].


**MOS** - a rank-2 scale
; [[constant structure]] (CS) : The property of a [[#S|scale]] whose [[#I|interval classes]] are distinct.


**tuning** - the generators of a temperament. a temperament's character does not depend on the exact choice of tuning, e.g. a semitone of 100.1 cents will produce a scale similar to one produced by a semitone of 100.0 cents
== D ==
; [[degree]] : The position of a [[#T|tone]] in a [[#S|scale]], measured by the number of [[#S|steps]] between the [[#T|tonic]] of the scale and the chosen tone.


**superparticular ratio** - a rational number n/d such that n = d+1
; [[delta-N ratio]] : A [[#R|ratio]] whose difference between its numerator and its denominator is equal to N.


**prime limit** - the largest prime number in the generators of a just intonation
; [[delta-rational chord]] (DR chord) : A [[#C|chord]] with at least two [[#D|dyads]] which represent [[#F|frequency]] differences which have a rational ratio. This property is thought to result in synchronized interference [[#B|beating]] between the dyads.


**subgroup** (e.g., 2.3.7 subgroup) - the generators of a just intonation that does not contain all primes smaller than the prime limit. a new name for what some of us see as the norm for many tunings over the last 2500 years.
; [[diatonic scale]] : An [[#M|moment-of-symmetry]] (MOS) [[#S|scale]] with 5 large [[#S|steps]] and 2 small steps per [[#O|octave]].


**odd limit** - for the list of intervals (dyads) formed between all pitches in a just intonation chord, the largest number appearing as either a numerator or denominator after all factors of 2 are discarded
; [[diesis]] : An [[#I|interval]] equal to the absolute value of the difference between the large [[#S|step]] and twice the small step, i.e. {{nowrap|{{!}}L − 2s{{!}}}}, of a [[#B|binary scale]].


**comma** - a rational number that is tempered out (i.e. maps to 1:1) in a given temperament. Some people feel that accurately observing a comma, e.g. having accurate versions of both 16/9 and 7/4 (and so "observing 64:63," their difference), can be just as important as tempering out a comma when this seems convenient.
; [[discordance]] : The perceived roughness of an [[#I|interval]] or [[#C|chord]].


**Maqam** - The traditional music and modal system of the Near East, and various xenharmonic spinoffs
; [[dissonance]] : The subjective, contextual roughness of an [[#I|interval]] or [[#C|chord]].


**Dastgah** - The classic music and modal system of Persia/Iran, as derived around the 16th-19th centuries from maqam, and spinoffs
; [[dyad]] :A [[chord]] of two [[Pitch class|pitch classes]].


**Well-temperament** - A temperament (e.g. in 12 or 17 notes per octave) where all impure fifths are tempered in the same direction
== E ==
; [[equal temperament]] : A rank-1 [[#T|temperament]]. The temperament-agnostic term is ''equal-step tuning'' (or equal tuning).


**Temperament ordinaire** - A temperament (e.g. in 12 or 17 notes per octave) where some fifths are tempered in different directions
; [[equave]] (or interval of equivalence) : An [[#I|interval]] considered to be [[#E|equivalent]] to the [[#U|unison]], such as an [[#O|octave]] (2/1 or 1200 cents).


**Circulation** - The property of a tuning that supports desired intervals on every note or step, with the question of how to define "desired intervals" often in the eye of the beholder, or ear of the listener.
; [[equivalence]] : The phenomenon of psychoacoustics that two notes an [[#O|octave]] apart, or possibly another [[#I|interval]] apart, are considered "(substantially) equivalent" to the brain.


**Wolf interval** - An interval that differs from the expected size for that number of tuning or scale steps in a way deemed to impede or prevent its use as a musical equivalent, e.g. the diminished sixth G#-Eb in a meantone tuning near 1/4-comma as a "wolf fifth." A wolf in this sense might be defined as an interval that prevents circulation, if the same tuning system doesn't also provide a more usual size (e.g. both a diminished sixth and a regular fifth from the same note in an extended meantone system). Sometimes one person's wolf can be another person's delightful alternative consonance, as with F-G#, an augmented second at or near 1/4-comma meantone.</pre></div>
== F ==
<h4>Original HTML content:</h4>
; [[frequency]] : The number of oscillations per unit of time of a vibrating object.
<div style="width:100%; max-height:400pt; overflow:auto; background-color:#f8f9fa; border: 1px solid #eaecf0; padding:0em"><pre style="margin:0px;border:none;background:none;word-wrap:break-word;width:200%;white-space: pre-wrap ! important" class="old-revision-html">&lt;html&gt;&lt;head&gt;&lt;title&gt;glossary&lt;/title&gt;&lt;/head&gt;&lt;body&gt;This page is for brief descriptions of terms essential to understanding contemporary xenharmonic theory.&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;br /&gt;
; [[frequency ratio]] : The relationship between the [[#F|frequencies]] of the [[#P|pitches]] of two or more notes.
&lt;strong&gt;Hertz&lt;/strong&gt; - unit for frequency, counts per second&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;br /&gt;
== G ==
&lt;strong&gt;pitch&lt;/strong&gt; - property of some sounds that allows them to be ordered on a one-dimensional 'pitch axis'. often measured in terms of the frequency (in Hertz) of a sine wave having the same pitch&lt;br /&gt;
; [[generator]]s : A set of [[#I|intervals]] that generates a larger set through linear combination; e.g. primes {2, 3} generate [[#P|Pythagorean tuning]].
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;cents&lt;/strong&gt; - logarithmic units of measure. for a ratio R, 1200 * log2(R)&lt;br /&gt;
; [[generator sequence]] (GS) : A [[#S|scale]]-building procedure based on alternating [[#G|generator]]s.
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;interval&lt;/strong&gt; - distance between two pitches, expressed as their ratio (of their associated frequencies in Hertz) or in cents&lt;br /&gt;
; [[generic interval]] : A class of intervals which fall on the same scale degrees. In the diatonic scale, these classes are the set of seconds, the set of thirds, the set of fifths, etc. Generic intervals can also be likened to distances between note-heads on a traditional staff. A generic interval composed of ''k'' scale steps in any scale, diatonic or not, can be called a "''k''-step" (terminology taken from [[TAMNAMS]]).
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;scale&lt;/strong&gt; - an ordered list of intervals. (exactly what can be described by a Scala file (.scl))&lt;br /&gt;
== H ==
&lt;br /&gt;
; [[harmonic]] : A whole-number multiple of the fundamental [[#F|frequency]] of a sound; also implicitly used in the sense of "harmonic [[#P|partial]]" or "harmonic [[#O|overtone]]".
&lt;strong&gt;harmonic distance&lt;/strong&gt; - property of intervals other than size; a second type of distance, such that pitches separated by 'short' intervals are more likely to be confused (as by novice singers) than those separated by 'long' intervals. e.g. an octave is 'shorter' than a tritone. related to consonance&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;br /&gt;
; [[harmonic series]] : The infinite sequence of [[#T|tones]] that are whole-number [[#F|frequency ratios]] over a fundamental.
&lt;strong&gt;interval of equivalence&lt;/strong&gt; - an interval having small or zero harmonic distance, such as an octave (2:1 or 1200 cents)&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;br /&gt;
; [[harmonic series segment|harmonic (series) segment]] : Any finite sequence of consecutive harmonics in the harmonic series. Examples: 3:4:5:6:7, 7:8:9:10:11:12:13:14, 49:50:51:52:53:54. As shorthand, these may be written 3::7, 7::14, and 49::54.
&lt;strong&gt;periodic scale&lt;/strong&gt; - a scale that repeats at an interval of equivalence&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;br /&gt;
; [[harmonic mode|harmonic (series) mode]] : A harmonic segment spanning an outer interval of 1:''n'' and usually taken as constituting a scale with period ''n''/1, i.e. one of the form ''m''::''mn''. By default ''mode m'' refers to octave-spanning harmonic modes, i.e. ''m''::2''m''. For example, mode 6 is 6:7:8:9:10:11:12, or 6::12.
&lt;strong&gt;just intonation&lt;/strong&gt; - a set of intervals considered consonant and expressible as rational numbers&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;br /&gt;
; [[harmonic distance]] : A measure of complexity for [[#J|just intonation]] [[#I|intervals]], associated with [[#C|concordance]] and [[#D|discordance]].
&lt;strong&gt;generators&lt;/strong&gt; - a set of intervals that generate a larger set through linear combination. e.g. the primes {2, 3} generate the Pythogorean scale&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;br /&gt;
; harmonic limit : See [[#P|prime limit]], [[#O|odd limit]] and [[#I|integer limit]].
&lt;strong&gt;temperament&lt;/strong&gt; - a mapping from a just intonation to a set of intervals with fewer generators. expressible as a mapping matrix whose columns are generators of the just intonation and whose rows are generators of the temperament. traditionally, any tuning not based on just or integer ratios.&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;br /&gt;
; [[wikipedia: Hertz|Hertz]] (Hz) : A unit of [[#F|frequency]] defined as one oscillation per second.
&lt;strong&gt;rank&lt;/strong&gt; - the number of generators of a set of intervals. e.g. 12-tone equal temperament is rank-1 because it is generated by the semitone; the Pythagorean scale is rank-2 because it is generated by the primes {2, 3}&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;br /&gt;
== I ==
&lt;strong&gt;equal temperament&lt;/strong&gt; - a rank-1 temperament&lt;br /&gt;
; [[integer limit]] :The set of all [[#F|frequency ratios]] whose terms do not exceed a given maximum integer. Also used as a metric, as in the integer limit of a specific ratio.
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;MOS&lt;/strong&gt; - a rank-2 scale&lt;br /&gt;
; [[interval]] : The relationship between two [[#P|pitches]], whose main property is [[#I|interval size]] and is often measured in terms of [[#S|steps]] of the [[#S|scale]] in which it appears.
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;tuning&lt;/strong&gt; - the generators of a temperament. a temperament's character does not depend on the exact choice of tuning, e.g. a semitone of 100.1 cents will produce a scale similar to one produced by a semitone of 100.0 cents&lt;br /&gt;
; interval category : See [[#I|interval region]].
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;superparticular ratio&lt;/strong&gt; - a rational number n/d such that n = d+1&lt;br /&gt;
; [[interval class]] : The set of all [[#I|intervals]] in a [[#S|scale]] which [[#S|subtend]] the same number of scale [[#S|steps]].
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;prime limit&lt;/strong&gt; - the largest prime number in the generators of a just intonation&lt;br /&gt;
; interval of equivalence : See [[#E|equave]].
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;subgroup&lt;/strong&gt; (e.g., 2.3.7 subgroup) - the generators of a just intonation that does not contain all primes smaller than the prime limit. a new name for what some of us see as the norm for many tunings over the last 2500 years.&lt;br /&gt;
; [[interval quality]] : The relative size of an [[#I|interval]] compared to similar intervals (of the same [[#I|interval class]] or of the same [[#I|interval region]]).
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;odd limit&lt;/strong&gt; - for the list of intervals (dyads) formed between all pitches in a just intonation chord, the largest number appearing as either a numerator or denominator after all factors of 2 are discarded&lt;br /&gt;
; [[interval region]] : A range of [[#I|intervals]] of similar [[#I|size]].
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;comma&lt;/strong&gt; - a rational number that is tempered out (i.e. maps to 1:1) in a given temperament. Some people feel that accurately observing a comma, e.g. having accurate versions of both 16/9 and 7/4 (and so &amp;quot;observing 64:63,&amp;quot; their difference), can be just as important as tempering out a comma when this seems convenient.&lt;br /&gt;
; [[interval size]] : The distance between two [[#P|pitches]], usually expressed as a [[#F|frequency ratio]] or as a logarithmic measure (e.g. [[#C|cents]]).
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;Maqam&lt;/strong&gt; - The traditional music and modal system of the Near East, and various xenharmonic spinoffs&lt;br /&gt;
; [[interval variety]] : The number of different [[#I|interval qualities]] available for an [[#I|interval class]] in a [[#S|scale]].
&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;strong&gt;Dastgah&lt;/strong&gt; - The classic music and modal system of Persia/Iran, as derived around the 16th-19th centuries from maqam, and spinoffs&lt;br /&gt;
== J ==
&lt;br /&gt;
; [[just intonation]] (JI) : The set of [[#I|intervals]] whose [[#F|frequency ratios]] are expressible as rational numbers.
&lt;strong&gt;Well-temperament&lt;/strong&gt; - A temperament (e.g. in 12 or 17 notes per octave) where all impure fifths are tempered in the same direction&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;br /&gt;
; [[just intonation subgroup]] : The set of [[#J|JI]] [[#I|intervals]] obtainable by stacking (finitely many) copies of a finite set of JI [[#G|generators]] up or down. For example, 7/6 and 49/32 are both in the 2.3.7 subgroup, the set of JI ratios obtained by stacking copies of 2/1, 3/1 and 7/1 up and down.
&lt;strong&gt;Temperament ordinaire&lt;/strong&gt; - A temperament (e.g. in 12 or 17 notes per octave) where some fifths are tempered in different directions&lt;br /&gt;
 
&lt;br /&gt;
== K ==
&lt;strong&gt;Circulation&lt;/strong&gt; - The property of a tuning that supports desired intervals on every note or step, with the question of how to define &amp;quot;desired intervals&amp;quot; often in the eye of the beholder, or ear of the listener.&lt;br /&gt;
== L ==
&lt;br /&gt;
; L (as in L7.13) : Shorthand for "prime limit" (e.g. "L11.19" is a shorthand for "2.3.5.7.11.19", or "11 prime limit, plus 19").
&lt;strong&gt;Wolf interval&lt;/strong&gt; - An interval that differs from the expected size for that number of tuning or scale steps in a way deemed to impede or prevent its use as a musical equivalent, e.g. the diminished sixth G#-Eb in a meantone tuning near 1/4-comma as a &amp;quot;wolf fifth.&amp;quot; A wolf in this sense might be defined as an interval that prevents circulation, if the same tuning system doesn't also provide a more usual size (e.g. both a diminished sixth and a regular fifth from the same note in an extended meantone system). Sometimes one person's wolf can be another person's delightful alternative consonance, as with F-G#, an augmented second at or near 1/4-comma meantone.&lt;/body&gt;&lt;/html&gt;</pre></div>
 
; limit : See [[#P|prime limit]], [[#O|odd limit]] and [[#I|integer limit]].
 
; [[low-complexity just intonation]] (LCJI) : An approach to [[#T|tuning]] based on a restricted set of simple [[#J|just intonation]] [[#I|intervals]].
 
== M ==
; [[maximum variety]] (MV) : The maximum [[#I|interval variety]] from all [[#I|interval classes]] of a [[#P|periodic scale]].
 
; [[mediant]] : An binary operation on ratios ([[#F|frequency ratios]] or other) where the numerator of the result is the sum of the ratios' numerators, and the denominator of the result is the sum of the ratios' denominators.
 
; [[mode]] : A particular rotation of a [[#S|scale]], e.g. Ionian, Dorian etc. for the [[#D|diatonic scale]].
 
; [[monzo]] : A representation of a [[#J|just intonation]] [[#I|interval]] using the exponents in its prime factorization; e.g. the monzo of 81/80 is {{monzo| -4 4 -1 }}.
 
; [[moment-of-symmetry scale]] (MOS scale) : A type of [[#S|scale]] that generalizes the [[#D|diatonic scale]] by preserving some of its properties, including [[#M|maximum-variety 2]] and [[#R|rank 2]].
 
; [[Myhill's property]] : The property of a [[#S|scale]] with [[#S|strict variety]] 2.
 
== N ==
; [[Neji]] : A near-[[#E|equal]] [[#J|just intonation]] (NEJI) scale.
 
== O ==
; [[octave]] : The [[#I|interval]] with a frequency ratio of 2/1.
 
; [[octave complement]] : See [[#C|complement]].
 
; [[octave reduction]] : An operation on [[#I|intervals]] consisting in dividing or multiplying by 2 repeatedly until the result is greater than or equal to the [[#U|unison]] and less than the [[#O|octave]].
 
; [[odd limit]] :The set of all [[#F|frequency ratios]] whose terms, once all powers of 2 are removed, do not exceed a given maximum odd number. Also used as a metric, as in the odd limit of a specific ratio.
 
; [[overtone]] : A [[#P|partial]] above a fundamental [[#F|frequency]], often assumed to be a [[#H|harmonic]] partial, or an independent [[#P|pitch]] corresponding to that partial.
 
== P ==
; [[partial]] : A sine wave component of a periodic sound.
 
; [[period]] (or interval of repetition) : The [[#I|interval]] that spans the smallest [[#S|step pattern]] that can "tile" a scale.
 
; [[periodic scale]] : A [[#S|scale]] that repeats at a [[#P|period]], often assumed to be the [[#O|octave]] or other [[#E|equave]].
 
; [[wikipedia: Pitch (music)|pitch]] : The property of some sounds that allows them to be ordered on a one-dimensional 'pitch axis'. Often measured by the frequency (in hertz) of a sine wave having the same pitch.
 
; [[polymicrotonal]] (or polysystemic) : The use of multiple [[#T|tuning systems]] in the same piece.
 
; [[prime limit]] :The set of all [[#F|frequency ratios]] whose terms' prime factors do not exceed a maximum prime number. Also used as a metric, as in the prime limit of a specific ratio.
 
; [[Pythagorean tuning]] : A [[#T|tuning system]] based on [[#S|stacking]] the interval [[3/2]] repeatedly, [[#O|octave-reducing]] as necessary.
 
== Q ==
; quality : See [[#I|interval quality]].
 
== R ==
; [[rank]] : The number of [[#G|generators]] of a set of [[#I|intervals]], i.e. the set's dimensionality (not to be confused with the [[dimensionality]] of the temperament itself). For example, [[12edo]] is rank-1 because it can be generated by the semitone; [[Pythagorean tuning]] is rank-2 because it can be generated by the primes {2, 3}.
 
; ratio : See [[#I|interval ratio]] and [[#S|step ratio]]. May also be used to designate other mathematical [[Wikipedia:Ratio|ratios]].
 
; [[reference tone]] (or reference pitch) : An agreed-upon fundamental or dominant [[#F|frequency]] that musical instruments will reference when adjusting tuning.
 
; region : See [[#I|interval region]].
 
; [[regular temperament]] :A mapping from a [[domain]] (such as a [[prime limit]] or [[just intonation subgroup]]) to a set of intervals with fewer generators. Expressible as a [[mapping|mapping matrix]] whose columns are generators of the just intonation and whose rows are generators of the temperament. In particular, the row vectors are called [[val]]s or [[map]]s.
 
; [[root]] : The "home" note of a [[#C|chord]] or arpeggio. See also [[#T|tonic]].
 
== S ==
; [[scale]] :A sequence of [[#P|pitches]] (sometimes expressed as a sequence of [[#I|interval]]s relative to the [[#T|tonic]]); usually contains every pitch of a given musical phrase or passage. Not to be confused with "[[#T|tuning system]]".
 
; scale signature : An expression using the step sizes of a scale, where the coefficient in front of each step tells you how many of that step size the scale has. A [[mos]] scale has a scale signature of aL bs for step sizes L > s. Other scales may have more complex signatures such as 5L 2M 3s.
 
; size : See [[#I|interval size]].
 
; [[step]] : An [[#I|interval]] between two consecutive [[#T|tones]] of a [[#S|scale]].
 
; [[stepspan]]
:The number of steps an interval subtends.
 
; 1, 2, 3...-step: A 1, 2, 3, ...-step interval in any scale.
 
; [[step pattern]] : The sequence of [[#S|steps]] that occurs in a scale, usually written using letters to represent relative [[#I|interval sizes]] (L for large, M for medium, s for small, etc.).
 
; [[step ratio]] : The ratio between the [[#I|interval sizes]] of a [[#S|scale]]'s [[#S|steps]].
 
; [[strict variety]] (SV) : The [[#I|interval variety]] of all [[#I|interval classes]] of a [[#P|periodic scale]], when all interval classes have the same interval variety.
 
; [[subgroup]] : See [[#J|Just intonation subgroup]].
 
; [[subharmonic]] : A unit fraction of the fundamental [[#F|frequency]] of a sound; also implicitly used in the sense of "subharmonic [[#P|partial]]" or "subharmonic [[#U|undertone]]".
 
; [[subharmonic series]] : A sequence of [[#T|tones]] generated by unit-fraction [[#F|frequency ratios]] under a fundamental.
 
; subtend : Of an interval size, to occur as a certain number of steps in a given scale.
: ''In the diatonic scale, the perfect fifth always subtends 4 steps.''
 
== T ==
; [[temperament]] : Historically, a [[#T|tuning system]] that slightly compromises the pure [[#I|intervals]] of (low-complexity) [[#J|just intonation]] to meet other requirements. Modern use of the term usually implies "[[#R|regular temperament]]".
 
; [[ternary scale]] : A [[#S|scale]] with three different [[#S|step]] sizes.
 
; [[timbre]] : The perceived sound quality of a musical note, which allows a listener to tell different instruments apart.
 
; [[tone]] : An individual [[#P|pitch]] from a [[#C|chord]], [[#S|scale]], [[#T|tuning system]], etc.
 
; [[tonic]] : The "home" note of a [[#S|scale]]. See also [[#R|root]].
 
; [[tritave]] : A synonym of [[3/1]] third harmonic, especially in the context of [[nonoctave]] music.
 
; [[tuning system]] :A set of [[#P|pitches]] (sometimes expressed as a set of [[#I|interval]]s relative to the [[#T|tonic]]); contains every pitch of a given musical instrument or piece. Not to be confused with "[[#S|scale]]".
 
== U ==
; [[undertone]] : A [[#P|partial]] below a fundamental [[#F|frequency]], often assumed to be a [[#S|subharmonic]] partial, or an independent [[#P|pitch]] corresponding to that partial.
 
; [[unison]] : The [[#I|interval]] between two [[#T|tones]] that are identical in [[#P|pitch]].
 
; [[unit of interval size]] : An [[#I|interval]] used to measure the [[#I|size]] of other intervals.
 
== V ==
; variety : See [[#I|interval variety]].
 
== W ==
== X ==
== Y ==
== Z ==
== 0&ndash;9 ==
; n/m : A [[just intonation]] ratio, e.g. [[3/2]] or [[5/4]].
 
 
; n\m : A degree of an [[EDO]]. For example 5\19 is 5 steps of [[19edo]].
 
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; optimal tuning : A tuning of a [[#R|regular temperament]] that optimizes some desired property (usually the accuracy of the temperament's approximations to just intonation). e.g. [[CTE tuning]].
 
; tuning of a temperament : A concrete realization of a(n abstract) temperament, with concrete cent values (for each [[basis element]] of the temperament). A temperament's character does not depend on the exact choice of tuning, e.g. a semitone of 100.1 cents produces a scale similar to that produced by a semitone of 100.0 cents.
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== See also ==
* [[Acronyms]]
* [[Dave Keenan & Douglas Blumeyer's guide to RTT/Conventions for names, variables, units, and notations]]
* [[Glossary of scale properties]]
* [[Glossary for combinatorics on words]]
 
[[Category:Terms| ]] <!-- Main article -->
[[Category:Overview]]
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