User:BudjarnLambeth/Cultural appropriation-o-meter: Difference between revisions

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=== 1 star (fail) ===
=== 1 star (fail) ===


==== Slendric ====
===== Gamelic =====
'''Possible alternative names: wonder, slendmatic, slendmatical, slendrian, slendresque, gamelike, gamelesque, gamelike'''
Another name for [[slendric]] temperament but much worse. The term "gamelic" is very easily confused with the term "gamelan". That risks implying this temperament is identical to the ones used by [[gamelan]] orchestras. Which it is not.
 
[[Slendric]] is a 5&36 temperament which has quite little in common with real slendro scales.
 
R.M.A. Koesoemadinata found that the temperament most similar to slendro scales is 9&17, i.e. [[bleu]] temperament. So bleu is the only temperament that could almost get away with being called "slendric".
 
Though even then, it would be much better to have a name that acknowledges being similar but different to slendro.
 
The original name for 5&36 was "wonder temperament". I’d like to see it change it back to that. I like “wonder”.


===== — — Gamelic =====
Imagine saying "gamelic scales" - musicologists could easily assume you mean "scales used in gamelan music". The potential for confusion is too high.
Another name for slendric temperament is "gamelic temperament". This name is equally bad for all of the same reasons. The name "gamelic" implies this temperament is identical to the ones used by [[gamelan]] orchestras. Which it is not.


Fortunately "gamelic" never really caught on.
Fortunately the name "gamelic" never really caught on and isn't widely used.
 
==== Slendro diesis ====
[[49/48]], the “slendro diesis”, doesn’t appear to have much in common with slendro, besides being tempered out in equipentatonic and quasi-equipentatonic tunings like [[5edo]] and [[semaphore]][5], only a surface level similarity.
 
Luckily, this interval has two other names, “large septimal diesis” and “semaphore comma”, so it’s easy to just use those ones instead and not worry about it.
 
=== 2 stars (fail) ===
 
==== Biyatismic ====
'''Possible alternative names: biyatesque, biyamatic, biyatonical, biyatilike, biyatypic, biyatypical'''
 
[[Biyatismic]] temperament is inspired by maqam biyati, so it is good that it references that in the name. What's not good is that the name makes it sound like it is the exact same thing as maqam biyati. The name makes it sound like the temperament generates the original, traditional maqam biyati. Which is not the case.
 
Biyatismic temperament would score 5 stars instead of 1 if it were named something that better communicated "this is not the same thing as maqam biyati, but it was inspired by maqam biyati".


==== Maqamic ====
==== Maqamic ====
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What the name fails to do however, is to communicate that it is not actually maqam music itself, it is only a highly simplified approximation of it to make it easier to combine with Western techniques.
What the name fails to do however, is to communicate that it is not actually maqam music itself, it is only a highly simplified approximation of it to make it easier to combine with Western techniques.


It is not fair for this temperament to call itself maqamic, because it doesn't actually generate maqamat. It generates a new, simpler, different thing based on maqamat. Not actually maqamat.
The name "maqamic temperament" is way to easy to get confused as being the exact same thing as "traditional maqamic tuning".


Luckily, the name “maqamic temperament” isn’t in use anymore, and has been replaced with the imperfect, but much much better “neutrominant temperament”.
Luckily, the name “maqamic temperament” isn’t in use anymore, and has been replaced with the imperfect, but much much better “'''neutrominant temperament'''”.


==== Pelogic ====
==== Pelogic ====
'''Possible alternative names: pelogmatic, pelogmatical, pelogesque, peloglike, pseudopelog'''
'''Possible alternative names: pelogmatic, pelogmatical, pelogesque, peloglike, pseudopelog'''


At least unlike slendric, the [[pelogic]] temperament ''does'' actually resemble an Indonesian [[pelog]] scale, which is why it doesn’t get 1 star.
"Pelogic” sounds so close to “pelog” as to give the impression they are the exact same thing, which they are not. The definition implicit in the name “pelogic temperament” is “the regular temperament which generates pelog scales.” And that’s not what it is. It is ''inspired'' by pelog scales, it doesn’t ''make'' them.


But the reason why it still gets a failing grade is that “pelogic” sounds so close to “pelog” as to give the impression they are the exact same thing, which they are not. The definition implicit in the name “pelogic temperament” is “the regular temperament which generates pelog scales.” And that’s not what it is. It is ''inspired'' by pelog scales, it doesn’t ''make'' them.
A musicologist could too easily confuse the terms "pelogic temperament" (the Western temperament) and "pelog tuning" (the Indonesian scale).


It would better to have a name that acknowledges being similar but different to pelog.
==== Slendro diesis ====
 
[[49/48]], the “slendro diesis”, doesn’t appear to have much too in common with slendro, besides being tempered out in equipentatonic and quasi-equipentatonic tunings like [[5edo]] and [[semaphore]][5].
==== Rastmic ====
'''Possible alternative names: rastmatic, rastmatical, rastlike, rastalike, pseudorast'''


[[Rastmic]] temperament is inspired by maqam rast, so it is good that it references that in the name. What's not good is that the name makes it sound like it is the exact same thing as maqam rast. The name makes it sound like the temperament generates the original, traditional maqam rast. Which is not the case.
The big problem with this name is that "slendro diesis" implies that this comma is actually important to traditional, pre-RTT Indonesian music theory of the slendro scale. Which it is not.


Rastmic temperament would score 5 stars instead of 1 if it were named something that communicates "this is not the same thing as maqam rast, but it was inspired by maqam rast".
Luckily, this interval has two other names, “'''large septimal diesis'''” and “'''semaphore comma'''”, so hopefully they will gradually replace it over time.


==== Srutal, shrutar, sruti ====
==== Srutal, shrutar, sruti ====
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The issue with these names, is that they are so similar to the word “shruti”, that they imply the tuning is ''identical'' to traditional Indian shruti. Which it is not. These tunings are inspired by shruti, and sound close to shruti, but they are not the ''same'' as shruti.
The issue with these names, is that they are so similar to the word “shruti”, that they imply the tuning is ''identical'' to traditional Indian shruti. Which it is not. These tunings are inspired by shruti, and sound close to shruti, but they are not the ''same'' as shruti.
Terms like "srutal music" or "sruti music" are ambiguous, it's not clear if they refer to traditional Indian music, or music in the modern Western temperaments. This is a failure on the part of the names.
=== 2 stars (fail) ===
==== Slendric ====
'''Possible alternative names: wonder, slendmatic, slendmatical, slendrian, slendresque, gamelike, gamelesque, gamelike'''
[[[Slendric]] is a 5&36 temperament which has only a little in common with real slendro scales.
R.M.A. Koesoemadinata found that the temperament most similar to slendro scales is 9&17, i.e. [[bleu]] temperament, not 5&36 slendric.
As for the name itself, it is a little too close to "slendro" for comfort. If a musicologist reads about "slendric chords", he might not know whether you mean chords from the real Indonesian slendro scale, or from the slendric temperament. So it fails for that reason.


=== 3 stars (pass) ===
=== 3 stars (pass) ===


==== Gamelismic ====
==== Gamelismic ====
The name [[gamelismic]] is a bit unsuitable, because the temperament doesn’t really have anything to do with Indonesian gamelan.  
The name [[gamelismic]] is a bit unsuitable, because the temperament doesn’t really have much to do with Indonesian gamelan.  


However, “gamelismic” is at least different enough from the word “gamelan” that it’s unlikely people will confuse the two, and as a result “gamelismic” is unlikely to muddy the perception or reputation of the gamelan tradition in any way.
However, “gamelismic” is at least different enough from the word “gamelan” that it’s unlikely people will confuse the two, and as a result “gamelismic” is unlikely to muddy the perception or reputation of the gamelan tradition in any way.
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==== Slendrismic ====
==== Slendrismic ====
[[Slendrismic]] temperament is not actually named after slendro, it is named after the fact it has a slender generator.  
[[Slendrismic]] temperament is not actually named after slendro, it is named after the fact it has a slender generator. For that reason it doesn't really even need to appear on this list, but we might as well give it a look.


The name is similar enough to slendro that there is a tad possibility for confusion, so I can’t give too many stars, but really it probably is different enough that it’s fine. I don’t think anyone is likely to mix up “slendro” and “slendrismic”.  
The name is similar enough to slendro that there is a tad possibility for confusion, so I can’t give too many stars, but really it probably is different enough that it’s fine. I don’t think anyone is likely to mix up “slendro” and “slendrismic”.  
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=== 4 stars (distinction) ===
=== 4 stars (distinction) ===
==== Biyatismic ====
'''Possible alternative names: biyatesque, biyamatic, biyatonical, biyatilike, biyatypic, biyatypical'''
[[Biyatismic]] temperament is inspired by maqam biyati, so it is good that it references that in the name.
The name is different enough from "bayati" that it's unlikely the two could be confused. If I hear "biyatismic chords" or "biyatismic tracks" for example, it's obvious these refer to the temperament and not the maqam.
The name is still maybe just a tad too close to the maqam, but it's pretty good.


==== Kartvelian^ ====
==== Kartvelian^ ====
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That, combined with the fact that it is further removed from the practice of Arabic music than mohajira, so it's okay for it to give credit less directly.
That, combined with the fact that it is further removed from the practice of Arabic music than mohajira, so it's okay for it to give credit less directly.


Still, a little bit more direct credit would be nice, and would push migration up to 5 stars. But it's still pretty cool.
A little bit more direct credit would be nice. But it's still pretty cool.
 
==== Rastmic ====
[[Rastmic]] temperament is inspired by maqam rast, so it is good that it references that in the name.
 
It is perhaps named a little too close to "rast", but it is probably different enough to avoid confusion. "Rastmic scale" is unlikely to be confused with "rast scale", for example.
 
It's a reasonable name.


=== 5 stars (high distinction) ===
=== 5 stars (high distinction) ===
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This is a great way to go about it, I think.
This is a great way to go about it, I think.


What would have been ''bad'' is if the traditional 7 tone scale itself was called the "mavila scale", then it would have been bad to copy that exact name. But since Mavila was only the name of a village, not the name of the traditional scale, it's completely fine.
What would have been ''bad'' is if the traditional 7 tone scale itself had been called the "mavila scale" and the temperament had stolen the name. But since Mavila was only the name of a village, not the traditional name of the scale, it's completely good.


What would have also been bad is to call the temperament "Chopi", because then you're claiming affiliation with that entire culture, which would be appropriation.
What would have also been bad is to call the temperament "Chopi", because then you're claiming affiliation with that entire culture, which would be appropriation.
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But using the name of a ''village'' instead is perfect. It gives credit to the original place where you were inspired by their tuning, without claiming to ''be'' their tuning.
But using the name of a ''village'' instead is perfect. It gives credit to the original place where you were inspired by their tuning, without claiming to ''be'' their tuning.


It's kind of the equivalent of being inspired by a tuning you hear in New Delhi, and creating a temperament called "New Delhi". That's a good name, because you're not stealing the name of a theory concept like a specific sruti, but you are still giving credit to the source of inspiration.
This is actually kind of a timeless way to name scales and tunings throughout history: phrygian, dorian, etc. are all named after geographical places, so are many of the maqams. Naming a scale after a village near where you found it is a fun strategy.
 
(This is actually also kind of a timeless way to name scales and tunings throughout history: phrygian, dorian, etc. are all named after geographical places, so are many of the maqams.)


Important to mention, too, Mavila is actually very very close to the Chopi tuning and is directly inspired by it, so it is quite appropriate for it to have a name related to that. It's not just had the name tacked onto it, it really merits the name.
Important to mention, too, Mavila is actually very very close to the Chopi tuning and is directly inspired by it, so it is quite appropriate for it to have a name related to that. It's not just had the name tacked onto it, it really merits the name.


===== Mabila, avila, etc. =====
===== Mabila, avila, etc. =====
Derivatives of mavila, and they inherit the goodness of its name.
[[Mavila family|Derivatives]] of mavila, and they inherit the goodness of its name.


==== Mohajira ====
==== Mohajira ====