Fifth complement: Difference between revisions

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The '''fifth complement''' of a given [[interval]] is its interval distance from the [[3/2|fifth (3/2)]]. It's very similar to the [[octave complement]], but doesn't make much sense for intervals less than a fifth (since there is no "fifth reduction"). It seems to be very useful as a way of conceptualizing and constructing more traditional-sounding [[triad]]s, and even as a way of describing the relationships between different [[:Category:third|third]]s.
Analogous to the [[octave complement]], the '''fifth complement''' of a given fifth-reduced [[interval]] is its interval distance from the [[3/2|perfect fifth (3/2)]]. It seems to be very useful as a way of conceptualizing and constructing more traditional-sounding [[triad]]s, and even as a way of describing the relationships between different [[:Category:third|third]]s.


== History ==
== History ==
 
The idea that the major third and the minor third complement or contrast each other may date well back to the {{w|Classical period (music)|Classical period}}, when triads in the form of root–third–fifth dominated the construction of chords. The term was seemingly coined by [[Flora Canou]] in September 2020<ref>[https://en.xen.wiki/index.php?title=25/21&diff=next&oldid=515 Xenharmonic Wiki | 25/21 (Revision as of 04:50, 1 September 2020 by FloraC)] – the earliest verified occurrence of the term.</ref>.
The thought that the major third and the minor third complement or contrast each other may date well back to classical era, when triads in the form of root-3rd-P5 dominated the construction of chords, yet the term was seemingly coined by [[User:FloraC|Flora Canou]] in September 2020. <ref>[https://en.xen.wiki/index.php?title=25/21&diff=next&oldid=515 first occurrence in this wiki]</ref>


== Examples ==
== Examples ==
The following interval pairs are ''fifth complementary'' to each other
The following interval pairs are ''fifth complementary'' to each other
* [[5/4]] and [[6/5]]
* [[5/4]] and [[6/5]]
* [[19/16]] and [[24/19]]
* [[19/16]] and [[24/19]]
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== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Octave complement]]
* [[Octave complement]]
* [[Twelfth complement]]
* [[Fourth complement]]
* [[Fourth complement]]


== Footnotes ==
== Footnotes ==
<references/>
<references/>



Latest revision as of 10:18, 17 August 2025

Analogous to the octave complement, the fifth complement of a given fifth-reduced interval is its interval distance from the perfect fifth (3/2). It seems to be very useful as a way of conceptualizing and constructing more traditional-sounding triads, and even as a way of describing the relationships between different thirds.

History

The idea that the major third and the minor third complement or contrast each other may date well back to the Classical period, when triads in the form of root–third–fifth dominated the construction of chords. The term was seemingly coined by Flora Canou in September 2020[1].

Examples

The following interval pairs are fifth complementary to each other

See also

Footnotes

  1. Xenharmonic Wiki | 25/21 (Revision as of 04:50, 1 September 2020 by FloraC) – the earliest verified occurrence of the term.