Temperament naming: Difference between revisions

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== Temperament and comma naming conventions ==

=== State of the art ===

There was, in general, not a hard rule of naming temperaments, but examples to follow. Some notable features of naming might be confusing to beginners of RTT. Specifically, a name can be shared by a temperament as well as its [[extension]]s. For example, meantone was defined in the 5-, 7-, 11- and 13-limit. ~~Typically, only~~ the best and most obvious extension ~~gets~~ the original name~~; other~~ extensions get ~~different names~~. ~~In addition,~~ [[~~weak~~ extension]]s never ~~get~~ the original name~~, either,~~ since their structures are very different.

There was, in general, not a hard rule of naming temperaments, but examples to follow. Some notable features of naming might be confusing to beginners of RTT. Specifically:

* a name can be shared by a temperament as well as its [[strong extension]]s. For example, meantone was defined in the 5-, 7-, 11- and 13-limit, each temperament in the higher limit being a strong extension to the ones in the lower limit.

** Only the best and most obvious extension may share the original temperament's name.

** If a temperament does not have an obvious extension, or has multiple competing extensions, each should get a distinct name.

** [[Weak extension]]s should never share the original temperament's name since their structures are very different.

In 2004, [[Gene Ward Smith]] outlined a number of examples for reference: [https://yahootuninggroupsultimatebackup.github.io/tuning-math/topicId_10667.html ''Some naming examples'']. In 2012, [[Ryan Avella]] abstracted a convention of naming temperaments: [https://yahootuninggroupsultimatebackup.github.io/tuning/topicId_105566.html ''Naming Convention Suggestion''].

In 2004, [[Gene Ward Smith]] outlined a number of examples for reference: [https://yahootuninggroupsultimatebackup.github.io/tuning-math/topicId_10667.html ''Some naming examples'']. In 2012, [[Ryan Avella]] abstracted a convention of naming temperaments: [https://yahootuninggroupsultimatebackup.github.io/tuning/topicId_105566.html ''Naming Convention Suggestion'']. The main takeaway from the threads is:

* a name should be a common noun (thus written in lowercase), ideally consisting of a single word.

The following practice was established around 2022–2023 when many higher-limit commas were getting named:

* If a comma is named the "''X''-isma", then the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal prime [[subgroup]] containing that comma should be named "''X''-ic" and the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal [[prime limit]] containing that comma should be named "''X-''ismic". A comma page should ideally always include a mention of both of those temperaments. The temperaments and obvious and/or strong extensions may be discussed either there or on linked-to dedicated pages.

* It is also valid to use "''X''-sma" instead of ''X''-isma and "''X''-smic" instead of ''X''-ismic, with ''X''-ic being unchanged, but ''X''-isma is more common as it is often less awkward to pronounce and spell.

=== Contemporary rules ===

It has become evident over time that there is a need to formalize when it is or is not okay to propose and accept names or renames of temperaments and commas, especially as more users contribute and offer input and as those users inevitably become more out-of-sync in their preferences. ~~Why? Because there~~ is a repeated pattern of wasted energy and effort, that many may find demotivating, when conflict inevitably emerges out of a lack of clear ground rules. Therefore it is important to make clear a set of rules which wiki editors can defer to in cases of such conflicts that feel as though they have reached an impasse.

It has become evident over time that there is a need to formalize when it is or is not okay to propose and accept names or renames of temperaments and commas, especially as more users contribute and offer input and as those users inevitably become more out-of-sync in their preferences. There is a repeated pattern of wasted energy and effort, that many may find demotivating, when conflict inevitably emerges out of a lack of clear ground rules. Therefore it is important to make clear a set of rules which wiki editors can defer to in cases of such conflicts that feel as though they have reached an impasse.

Conventions for naming commas/temperaments:

* The name should follow the state of the art, given above.

* The name should have something to do with the comma/temperament. This is a rule that is often assumed implicitly without mention.

* Stronger than the above, the name should ideally have a wealth of reasonings supporting its association (ideally ''uniquely'', within reason) with the comma/temperament in question.

* The name should not cause potential confusion/ambiguity with other names. Note that an important exception to this rule is that closely related temperaments may have highly similar names; this is not uncommon.

* If a comma is named the "''X''-isma", then the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal prime [[subgroup]] containing that comma should be named "''X''-ic" and the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal [[prime limit]] containing that comma should be named "''X-''ismic". A comma page's creation should ideally always include a mention of both of these temperaments. The temperaments and obvious and/or strong extensions may be discussed either there or on linked-to dedicated pages. Importantly, it is valid to use "''X''-sma" instead of ''X''-isma and "''X''-smic" instead of ''X''-ismic, with ''X''-ic being unchanged, but ''X''-isma is more common as it is often less awkward to pronounce and spell.

* The name's complexity should loosely reflect the complexity of the comma/temperament, so that very simple names are not exhausted for very complex commas/temperaments, which would later cause issues if one of those names found a simpler and more elegant comma/temperament to be associated with (see also the section on conventions for renaming). Note that "simple" here does not mean low-accuracy, nor high-accuracy, but rather simple in the conceptual sense; roughly how easy would it be for someone to rediscover this comma/temperament, assuming the rediscoverer has no particular interest in the comma/temperament in question? "Elegant" is meant as similar in meaning to "simple" but more in the direction of a potential subjective appraisal of a comma/temperament for unique properties it has.

* The name must not be offensive, where "offensive" is defined as referring to topics that quite a few would deem controversial and/or where the name is NSFW (not-safe-for-work).

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Strong reasons for renaming a comma and/or temperament are:

* The name is inconsistent with the state of the art.

* The name causes significant confusion/ambiguity with other names. Note that an important exception to this rule is that closely related temperaments/commas/scales may have highly similar names; this is not uncommon.

* The name is inconsistent with naming standards which aim to clarify; the main one currently in effect is that if a comma is named the "''X''-isma", then the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal prime [[subgroup]] containing that comma should be named "''X''-ic" and the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal [[prime limit]] containing that comma should be named "''X''-ismic". If the ''X''-isma is a [[PIFE comma]] then there is only one associated temperament and that temperament is called "''X''-ismic". The same applies about validity of ''X''-sma and "''X''-smic" as rarer alternatives (with ''X''-ic remaining unchanged).

* The name can be deemed to be offensive, where offensive is defined as referring to topics that quite a few would deem controversial and/or where the name is NSFW (not-safe-for-work).

* The name change proposal has a fair amount of consensus (e.g. several people in favour versus 2 against). This is not to be interpreted as iron democratic rule but rather as a significant indicator of a good name, along with other reasons detailed.

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 == Temperament and comma naming conventions ==
 === State of the art ===
-There was, in general, not a hard rule of naming temperaments, but examples to follow. Some notable features of naming might be confusing to beginners of RTT. Specifically, a name can be shared by a temperament as well as its [[extension]]s. For example, meantone was defined in the 5-, 7-, 11- and 13-limit. Typically, only the best and most obvious extension gets the original name; other extensions get different names. In addition, [[weak extension]]s never get the original name, either, since their structures are very different.
+There was, in general, not a hard rule of naming temperaments, but examples to follow. Some notable features of naming might be confusing to beginners of RTT. Specifically:
+* a name can be shared by a temperament as well as its [[strong extension]]s. For example, meantone was defined in the 5-, 7-, 11- and 13-limit, each temperament in the higher limit being a strong extension to the ones in the lower limit.
+** Only the best and most obvious extension may share the original temperament's name.
+** If a temperament does not have an obvious extension, or has multiple competing extensions, each should get a distinct name.
+** [[Weak extension]]s should never share the original temperament's name since their structures are very different.
-In 2004, [[Gene Ward Smith]] outlined a number of examples for reference: [https://yahootuninggroupsultimatebackup.github.io/tuning-math/topicId_10667.html ''Some naming examples'']. In 2012, [[Ryan Avella]] abstracted a convention of naming temperaments: [https://yahootuninggroupsultimatebackup.github.io/tuning/topicId_105566.html ''Naming Convention Suggestion''].
+In 2004, [[Gene Ward Smith]] outlined a number of examples for reference: [https://yahootuninggroupsultimatebackup.github.io/tuning-math/topicId_10667.html ''Some naming examples'']. In 2012, [[Ryan Avella]] abstracted a convention of naming temperaments: [https://yahootuninggroupsultimatebackup.github.io/tuning/topicId_105566.html ''Naming Convention Suggestion'']. The main takeaway from the threads is:
+* a name should be a common noun (thus written in lowercase), ideally consisting of a single word.
+The following practice was established around 2022–2023 when many higher-limit commas were getting named:
+* If a comma is named the "''X''-isma", then the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal prime [[subgroup]] containing that comma should be named "''X''-ic" and the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal [[prime limit]] containing that comma should be named "''X-''ismic". A comma page should ideally always include a mention of both of those temperaments. The temperaments and obvious and/or strong extensions may be discussed either there or on linked-to dedicated pages.
+* It is also valid to use "''X''-sma" instead of ''X''-isma and "''X''-smic" instead of ''X''-ismic, with ''X''-ic being unchanged, but ''X''-isma is more common as it is often less awkward to pronounce and spell.
 === Contemporary rules ===
-It has become evident over time that there is a need to formalize when it is or is not okay to propose and accept names or renames of temperaments and commas, especially as more users contribute and offer input and as those users inevitably become more out-of-sync in their preferences. Why? Because there is a repeated pattern of wasted energy and effort, that many may find demotivating, when conflict inevitably emerges out of a lack of clear ground rules. Therefore it is important to make clear a set of rules which wiki editors can defer to in cases of such conflicts that feel as though they have reached an impasse.
+It has become evident over time that there is a need to formalize when it is or is not okay to propose and accept names or renames of temperaments and commas, especially as more users contribute and offer input and as those users inevitably become more out-of-sync in their preferences. There is a repeated pattern of wasted energy and effort, that many may find demotivating, when conflict inevitably emerges out of a lack of clear ground rules. Therefore it is important to make clear a set of rules which wiki editors can defer to in cases of such conflicts that feel as though they have reached an impasse.
 Conventions for naming commas/temperaments:
+* The name should follow the state of the art, given above.
 * The name should have something to do with the comma/temperament. This is a rule that is often assumed implicitly without mention.
 * Stronger than the above, the name should ideally have a wealth of reasonings supporting its association (ideally ''uniquely'', within reason) with the comma/temperament in question.
 * The name should not cause potential confusion/ambiguity with other names. Note that an important exception to this rule is that closely related temperaments may have highly similar names; this is not uncommon.
-* If a comma is named the "''X''-isma", then the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal prime [[subgroup]] containing that comma should be named "''X''-ic" and the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal [[prime limit]] containing that comma should be named "''X-''ismic". A comma page's creation should ideally always include a mention of both of these temperaments. The temperaments and obvious and/or strong extensions may be discussed either there or on linked-to dedicated pages. Importantly, it is valid to use "''X''-sma" instead of ''X''-isma and "''X''-smic" instead of ''X''-ismic, with ''X''-ic being unchanged, but ''X''-isma is more common as it is often less awkward to pronounce and spell.
 * The name's complexity should loosely reflect the complexity of the comma/temperament, so that very simple names are not exhausted for very complex commas/temperaments, which would later cause issues if one of those names found a simpler and more elegant comma/temperament to be associated with (see also the section on conventions for renaming). Note that "simple" here does not mean low-accuracy, nor high-accuracy, but rather simple in the conceptual sense; roughly how easy would it be for someone to rediscover this comma/temperament, assuming the rediscoverer has no particular interest in the comma/temperament in question? "Elegant" is meant as similar in meaning to "simple" but more in the direction of a potential subjective appraisal of a comma/temperament for unique properties it has.
 * The name must not be offensive, where "offensive" is defined as referring to topics that quite a few would deem controversial and/or where the name is NSFW (not-safe-for-work).
@@ Line 24: / Line 33: @@
 Strong reasons for renaming a comma and/or temperament are:
+* The name is inconsistent with the state of the art.
 * The name causes significant confusion/ambiguity with other names. Note that an important exception to this rule is that closely related temperaments/commas/scales may have highly similar names; this is not uncommon.
-* The name is inconsistent with naming standards which aim to clarify; the main one currently in effect is that if a comma is named the "''X''-isma", then the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal prime [[subgroup]] containing that comma should be named "''X''-ic" and the temperament which tempers out the ''X''-isma in the minimal [[prime limit]] containing that comma should be named "''X''-ismic". If the ''X''-isma is a [[PIFE comma]] then there is only one associated temperament and that temperament is called "''X''-ismic". The same applies about validity of ''X''-sma and "''X''-smic" as rarer alternatives (with ''X''-ic remaining unchanged).
 * The name can be deemed to be offensive, where offensive is defined as referring to topics that quite a few would deem controversial and/or where the name is NSFW (not-safe-for-work).
 * The name change proposal has a fair amount of consensus (e.g. several people in favour versus 2 against). This is not to be interpreted as iron democratic rule but rather as a significant indicator of a good name, along with other reasons detailed.