MOS rhythm: Difference between revisions

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The durations in cyclical rhythms are specified not in ''absolute'' terms of time interval (minutes, seconds, beats of a metronome), but ''relative'' to the period, and thus expressed as a (unitless) proportion. For example, '1/2' (or '0.5') will represent a duration (interval of time) of exactly half the duration of the period.
The durations in cyclical rhythms are specified not in ''absolute'' terms of time interval (minutes, seconds, beats of a metronome), but ''relative'' to the period, and thus expressed as a (unitless) proportion. For example, '1/2' (or '0.5') will represent a duration (interval of time) of exactly half the duration of the period.


We are concerned with durations that are shorter than the duration of the period; i.e., greater than or equal to zero (no interval) and less than one (period). We can easily convert numbers outside that range by adding or subtracting 1 until they are in the range. This is tantamount to using a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_arithmetic Modular arithmetic] with a modulus of 1. (Clocks and twelve-tone theory use a modulus of 12.)
We are concerned with durations that are shorter than the duration of the period; i.e., greater than or equal to zero (no interval) and less than one (period). We can easily convert numbers outside that range by adding or subtracting 1 until they are in the range. This is tantamount to using a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_arithmetic Modular arithmetic] with a modulus of 1. (Clocks and twelve-tone theory use a modulus of 12.)


We can use the metaphor of a timeline, assuming that a line segment (representing a period) can be broken up into smaller line segments (durations or intervals) as delineated by the placement of points (pulses):
We can use the metaphor of a timeline, assuming that a line segment (representing a period) can be broken up into smaller line segments (durations or intervals) as delineated by the placement of points (pulses):
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== Generators ==
== Generators ==
Cyclical rhythms are calculated by taking ''multiples'' of a single interval, called the ''generating interval'' or ''generator''. When one interval is called a ''generator'' interval relative to a period, a ''family'' of cyclical rhythms is specified. When how many multiples and which multiples are specified, a single cyclical rhythm is specified.
Cyclical rhythms are calculated by taking ''multiples'' of a single interval, called the ''generating interval'' or ''generator''. When one interval is called a ''generator'' interval relative to a period, a ''family'' of cyclical rhythms is specified. When how many multiples and which multiples are specified, a single cyclical rhythm is specified.
 
[[Category:Non-scale applications of MOS]]
[[Category:MOS scale]]
[[Category:Rhythm]]
[[Category:Rhythm]]
[[Category:todo:expand]]
[[Category:todo:expand]]