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:''This article is about the chroma in general. For that in the diatonic scale, see [[Chromatic semitone]].''
{{About|chromas in general|the chroma in the diatonic scale|Chromatic semitone}}
__NOTOC__ <!-- No TOC because it's a rather short article. Remove this if it has expanded significantly. -->
The '''chroma''' (precisely the '''moschroma''') of a [[mos scale]] is the interval that is the difference between the large step and the small step in the scale. In particular, the chroma in the [[diatonic]] scale is the [[chromatic semitone]], or augmented unison, such as the interval of C&ndash;C♯.  


The '''chroma''' (precisely the '''moschroma''') of a [[mos scale]] is the interval that is the difference between the large step and the small step in the scale. In particular, the chroma in the [[diatonic]] scale is the [[chromatic semitone]], or augmented unison, for example, the interval of C-C#.
In staff notation, alteration by the chroma can be represented by the sharp () or flat (), as is shown above. In [[diamond-mos notation]], it should be noted that they are reserved exclusively for the diatonic scale, whereas am (&) and at (@) are used for other mos scales.  
 
In staff notation, alteration by the chroma can be represented by the sharp (#) or flat (b), as is shown above. In [[TAMNAMS]], it should be noted that they are reserved exclusively for the diatonic scale, whereas mossharp (&) and mosflat (@) are used for other mos scales.  


Moving one note in a mos scale by a chroma leads to a [[modmos scale]] if the result is not just a transposition of the original mos scale.
Moving one note in a mos scale by a chroma leads to a [[modmos scale]] if the result is not just a transposition of the original mos scale.


The [[Fokker block]], being a generalization of the mos scale to higher ranks, also has the concept of chroma. See [[Fokker block]].
The [[Fokker block]], being a generalization of the mos scale to higher ranks, also has the concept of chroma. See [[Fokker block]].
== History ==
The first mention of the term "chroma" occurs in Marchettus of Padua<ref>Marchettus of Padua (1318) ''Lucidarium''.</ref> where he describes it as an interval smaller than the diatonic semitone. The exact nature of the interval he was describing is debated.<ref>Joe Monzo (2008) ''Speculations on Marchetto of Padua's "Fifth-Tones"''. http://www.tonalsoft.com/monzo/marchetto/marchetto.aspx</ref>
== In psychoacoustics ==
{{wikipedia|Chroma feature}}
In psychoacoustics, the term ''chroma'' refers to the circular perception of pitch with respect to [[octave equivalence]].
This is essentially the same as the concept of [[pitch class]].


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Pythagorean chroma]]
* [[Chromatic semitone]]
* [[25/24]], the 5-limit chromatic semitone
* [[Sharpness]], a property related to sharps and flats in [[edo]]s
* [[Sharpness]], a property related to sharps and flats in [[edo]]s
* [[Diesis (scale theory)]]
== References ==
<references/>


[[Category:Chroma| ]] <!-- main article -->
[[Category:Chroma| ]] <!-- main article -->
[[Category:MOS]]
[[Category:MOS scale]]
[[Category:MODMOS]]
[[Category:MODMOS]]
[[Category:Terms]]

Latest revision as of 18:23, 30 April 2025

This page is about chromas in general. For the chroma in the diatonic scale, see Chromatic semitone.

The chroma (precisely the moschroma) of a mos scale is the interval that is the difference between the large step and the small step in the scale. In particular, the chroma in the diatonic scale is the chromatic semitone, or augmented unison, such as the interval of C–C♯.

In staff notation, alteration by the chroma can be represented by the sharp (♯) or flat (♭), as is shown above. In diamond-mos notation, it should be noted that they are reserved exclusively for the diatonic scale, whereas am (&) and at (@) are used for other mos scales.

Moving one note in a mos scale by a chroma leads to a modmos scale if the result is not just a transposition of the original mos scale.

The Fokker block, being a generalization of the mos scale to higher ranks, also has the concept of chroma. See Fokker block.

History

The first mention of the term "chroma" occurs in Marchettus of Padua[1] where he describes it as an interval smaller than the diatonic semitone. The exact nature of the interval he was describing is debated.[2]

In psychoacoustics

English Wikipedia has an article on:

In psychoacoustics, the term chroma refers to the circular perception of pitch with respect to octave equivalence. This is essentially the same as the concept of pitch class.

See also

References

  1. Marchettus of Padua (1318) Lucidarium.
  2. Joe Monzo (2008) Speculations on Marchetto of Padua's "Fifth-Tones". http://www.tonalsoft.com/monzo/marchetto/marchetto.aspx