Superfourth: Difference between revisions

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A '''superfourth''' or '''semi-augmented fourth''' is an [[interval]] that spans three steps of the [[5L 2s|diatonic]] scale with a quality between augmented and perfect. It exists in [[neutralization|neutralized]] diatonic scales as exactly one half of a [[major seventh]].  
A '''superfourth''', '''ultrafourth''' or '''semi-augmented fourth''' is an [[interval]] that spans three steps of the [[5L 2s|diatonic]] scale with a quality between augmented and perfect. It exists in [[neutralization|neutralized]] diatonic scales as exactly one half of a [[major seventh]].  


In [[just intonation]], an interval may be classified as a superfourth if it is reasonably mapped to [[7edo|3\7]] and [[24edo|11\24]] (precisely three steps of the diatonic scale and five and a half steps of the chromatic scale).
In [[just intonation]], an interval may be classified as a superfourth if it is reasonably mapped to [[7edo|3\7]] and [[24edo|11\24]] (precisely three steps of the diatonic scale and five and a half steps of the chromatic scale).
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As a concrete [[interval region]], it is typically near 550{{cent}} in size. It is too wide to sound like a [[perfect fourth]] and too narrow to sound like a [[tritone]]. [[Margo Schulter]], in her article [http://www.bestii.com/%7Emschulter/IntervalSpectrumRegions.txt Regions of the Interval Spectrum], proposes an approximate range for a superfourth to be from 528{{cent}} to 560{{cent}}. Of course, this categorization should not be taken for granted. Since music is subjective and culturally influenced, the borders of what is a superfourth are "fuzzy". Other descriptions are possible and legitimate.
As a concrete [[interval region]], it is typically near 550{{cent}} in size. It is too wide to sound like a [[perfect fourth]] and too narrow to sound like a [[tritone]]. [[Margo Schulter]], in her article [http://www.bestii.com/%7Emschulter/IntervalSpectrumRegions.txt Regions of the Interval Spectrum], proposes an approximate range for a superfourth to be from 528{{cent}} to 560{{cent}}. Of course, this categorization should not be taken for granted. Since music is subjective and culturally influenced, the borders of what is a superfourth are "fuzzy". Other descriptions are possible and legitimate.


Some of the simplest superfourths in [[just intonation]] are [[11/8]] (about 551.3{{c}}) and [[15/11]] (about 537{{c}}), both undecimal (11-based) superfourths; and [[48/35]] (about 546.8{{c}}) and [[49/36]] (about 533.7{{c}}), both septimal (7-based) superfourths.
Some of the simplest superfourths in [[just intonation]] are [[11/8]] (about 551{{c}}) and [[15/11]] (about 537{{c}}), both undecimal (11-based) superfourths; and [[48/35]] (about 547{{c}}) and [[49/36]] (about 534{{c}}), both septimal (7-based) superfourths.


The inversion of a superfourth is a [[subfifth]].
The inversion of a superfourth is a [[subfifth]].
Information about superfourths in the conventional interval-region format may be found at [[Tritone]].


== Examples ==
== Examples ==
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== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[43/31]] – a tritone with a "superfourth-ish" taste
* [[43/31]] – a tritone with a "superfourth-ish" taste
* [[Interval category]]
* [[Gallery of just intervals]]
* [[Gallery of just intervals]]
* [[Subfifth]] – the [[octave complement]] region
* [[Subfifth]] – the [[octave complement]] region