7edo: Difference between revisions

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== Theory ==
== Theory ==
[[File:7edo scale.mp3|thumb|A chromatic 7edo scale on C.]]
[[File:7edo scale.mp3|thumb|A chromatic 7edo scale on C.]]
[[Equiheptatonic]] scales close to 7edo are used in non-western music in some [[African]] cultures<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/art/African-music ''African music'', Encyclopedia Britannica.]</ref> as well as an integral part of early [[Chinese]] music<ref>Robotham, Donald Keith and Gerhard Kubik.</ref>. Also [[Georgian]] music seems to be based on near-equal 7-step scales.
It has been speculated in ''Indian music: history and structure''<ref>Nambiyathiri, Tarjani. ''[https://archive.org/details/indianmusichistoryandstructureemmietenijenhuisbrill Indian Music History And Structure Emmie Te Nijenhuis Brill]''</ref> that the [[Indian]] three-sruti interval of 165 cents is close enough to be mistaken for 171 cents. (or 1.71 semitones), one step of 7edo.
7edo can be thought of as the result of stacking seven [[11/9]]'s on top of each other, and then tempering to remove the comma {{monzo| -2 -14 0 0 7 }}. As a temperament, [[William Lynch]] gives it the name "Neutron[7]" just as the whole tone scale of [[12edo]] is known as "Hexe[6]".
7edo can be thought of as the result of stacking seven [[11/9]]'s on top of each other, and then tempering to remove the comma {{monzo| -2 -14 0 0 7 }}. As a temperament, [[William Lynch]] gives it the name "Neutron[7]" just as the whole tone scale of [[12edo]] is known as "Hexe[6]".


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The seventh of 7edo is almost exactly the 29th harmonic ([[29/16]]), which can have a very agreeable sound with harmonic timbres. However it also finds itself nested between ratios such as 20/11 and 9/5, which gives it considerably higher [[harmonic entropy]] than [[7/4]], a much simpler overtone seventh.
The seventh of 7edo is almost exactly the 29th harmonic ([[29/16]]), which can have a very agreeable sound with harmonic timbres. However it also finds itself nested between ratios such as 20/11 and 9/5, which gives it considerably higher [[harmonic entropy]] than [[7/4]], a much simpler overtone seventh.


Similarly, in equi-heptatonic systems the desire for harmonic sound may dictate constant adjustments of intonation away from the theoretical interval of 171 cents. One of the most impressive areas in Africa in which a pen-equidistant heptatonic scale is combined with a distinctively harmonic style based on singing in intervals of thirds plus fifths, or thirds plus fourths, is the eastern Angolan culture area. This music is heptatonic and non-modal; i.e., there is no concept of major or minor thirds as distinctive intervals. In principle all the thirds are neutral, but in practice the thirds rendered by the singers often approximate natural major thirds (386 cents), especially at points of rest. In this manner, the principles of equidistance and harmonic euphony are accommodated within one tonal-harmonic system.
7edo is the unique intersection of the temperaments of [[meantone]] (specifically [[3/4-comma meantone]]) and [[porcupine]].


A Ugandan Chopi xylophone measured by Haddon (1952) was also tuned to this system.
=== In non-Western traditions ===
[[Equiheptatonic]] scales close to 7edo are used in non-western music in some [[African]] cultures<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/art/African-music ''African music'', Encyclopedia Britannica.]</ref> as well as an integral part of early [[Chinese]] music<ref>Robotham, Donald Keith and Gerhard Kubik.</ref>. Also [[Georgian]] music seems to be based on near-equal 7-step scales.  


7edo is the unique intersection of the temperaments of [[meantone]] (specifically [[3/4-comma meantone]]) and [[porcupine]].
It has been speculated in ''Indian music: history and structure''<ref>Nambiyathiri, Tarjani. ''[https://archive.org/details/indianmusichistoryandstructureemmietenijenhuisbrill Indian Music History And Structure Emmie Te Nijenhuis Brill]''</ref> that the [[Indian]] three-sruti interval of 165 cents is close enough to be mistaken for 171 cents. (or 1.71 semitones), one step of 7edo.
 
In equiheptatonic systems the desire for harmonic sound may dictate constant adjustments of intonation away from the theoretical interval of 171 cents. (Similar to [[adaptive just intonation]] but with equal tuning instead).
 
One region of Africa in which a pen-equidistant heptatonic scale is combined with a distinctively harmonic style based on singing in intervals of thirds plus fifths, or thirds plus fourths, is the eastern [[Angolan]] area. This music is heptatonic and non-modal; i.e., there is no concept of major or minor thirds as distinctive intervals. In principle all the thirds are neutral, but in practice the thirds rendered by the singers often approximate natural major thirds ([[5/4]], 386 cents), especially at points of rest. In this manner, the principles of equidistance and harmonic euphony are accommodated within one tonal-harmonic system.
 
A [[Ugandan]], [[Chopi]] xylophone measured by Haddon (1952) was also tuned something close to this.


=== Prime harmonics ===
=== Prime harmonics ===