64/63: Difference between revisions

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| Color name = r1, ru unison,<br/>rM, ruma

'''64/63''', the '''septimal comma''' (also '''Archytas' comma''', or more simply and systematically the '''archytas comma''' or '''archy comma'''), is a [[small comma|small]] [[7-limit]] [[superparticular]] [[comma]] which separates [[9/8]] and [[8/7]] and has the eighth square number as a numerator. It can be considered the [[2.3.7 subgroup|2.3.7-]][[subgroup]] equivalent of the [[syntonic comma]], and seperates complex pythagorean intervals from simpler 7-limit ones. For example, it is the difference between [[32/27]] and [[7/6]], and the difference between [[81/64]] and [[9/7]]. Since its numerator is a power of 2, it is a [[Mersenne comma]].

[[Tempering out]] this comma leads to [[superpyth]] temperament (sometimes called ''archy'' in the 2.3.7-subgroup), which equates 9/8 and 8/7, and also equates [[7/4]] with [[16/9]]. This means that the just dominant seventh chord, [[36:45:54:64|1–5/4–3/2–16/9]], and the harmonic seventh chord, [[4:5:6:7|1–5/4–3/2–7/4]], are equated to the same chord. Equal temperaments tempering out 64/63 include {{EDOs| 12, 15, 17, 22, 27, 37, 49 and 59 }}.

 

Archytas' comma is similar to Didymus' or the syntonic comma, 81/80, in that when it is tempered out it makes a stack of four fifths [[octave reduction|octave reduced]] equal a relatively consonant major third. In the case of 81/80, the major third is [[5/4]], while with Archytas' comma, the major third is [[9/7]].  

If one is using 9/7 major thirds, this also implies that the major third is split into two equal steps that represent both [[9/8]] and [[8/7]]: if a stack of four fifths (octave-reduced) reaches the interval 9/7, and a stack of two fifths reaches 9/8, then the difference must be (9/7)/(9/8) = 8/7. The 8/7 and 9/8 intervals are equated, however, as a result of the generation process.

See [[Archytas family]] for the family of rank-3 temperaments where it is tempered out. See [[Archytas clan]] for the clan of rank-2 temperaments where it is tempered out.

 

This interval is significant in the [[Functional Just System]] and [[Helmholtz–Ellis notation]] as the septimal formal comma which translates a Pythagorean interval to a nearby septimal interval.

 

In the [[Sagittal]] system, the downward version of this comma (possibly tempered) is represented by the sagittal {{sagittal | !) }} and is called the '''7 comma''', or '''7C''' for short, because the simplest interval it notates is 7/1 (equiv. 7/4), as for example in G–F{{nbhsp}}{{sagittal | !) }}. The upward version is called '''1/7C''' or '''7C up''' and is represented by {{sagittal| |) }}.

If one wants to treat Archytas' comma as a musical interval in its own right as opposed to tempering it out, you will find that it acts as a sort of chroma – specifically, it functions as a septimal equivalent of [[55/54]], from which it differs by a [[385/384|keenanisma]], or of [[56/55]], from which it differs by a [[441/440|werckisma]]. In addition, its incredible proximity to 1/44th of the octave – to the point where the [[septimal ruthenia|44-64/63 comma]] is tempered out in edos as large as tens of thousands – enables the tuning of [[ruthenium]] temperament. As a result, the major second of [[22edo]] is a good approximation to [[17/15]], due to it being the [[mediant]] of [[9/8]] and [[8/7]], so that the ~7:8:9 chord is much more accurately a 17/15–17/15 chord, with the outer interval as 9/7, by tempering out [[2025/2023]].