User:Nick Vuci/Moments of Symmetry: Difference between revisions

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WORK-IN-PROGRESS AS OF 27 MAY 2025

'''Moments of Symmetry (MOS)''' are scales created by a simple procedure that generates the common [[2L 3s|pentatonic]] and [[5L 2s|diatonic]] scales, but also extends their melodic coherence and structural balance to a wide range of novel xenharmonic scales. First described by Erv Wilson in the 1970's, the concept shares fundamental similarities and is often ~~though~~ of as synonymous with the concept of Well-Formed scales, as well as the more generalized concept of [[Maximum variety|MV2 scales]]. Over time, MOS has become a central tool in xenharmonic theory, inspiring a wide range of musical uses, analytical approaches, and derivative concepts such as [[MODMOS]], multi-MOS, and [[MOS rhythm|MOS-based rhythm]].

'''Moments of Symmetry (MOS)''' are scales created by a simple procedure that generates the common [[2L 3s|pentatonic]] and [[5L 2s|diatonic]] scales, but also extends their melodic coherence and structural balance to a wide range of novel xenharmonic scales. First described by [[Erv Wilson]] in the 1970's, the concept shares fundamental similarities and is often thought of as synonymous with the concept of Well-Formed scales, as well as the more generalized concept of [[Maximum variety|MV2 scales]]. Over time, MOS has become a central tool in xenharmonic theory, inspiring a wide range of musical uses, analytical approaches, and derivative concepts such as [[MODMOS]], multi-MOS, and [[MOS rhythm|MOS-based rhythm]].

== ~~Constructing Moments of Symmetry~~ ==

== Construction ==

File:1-1 MOS Construction.png|An interval is chosen to be the period (the 1200 cent octave in this example). The period is represented with a circle; intervals are represented with purple lines and points radiating out from the middle which move clockwise.

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File:1-7 MOS Construction.png|Stacking the generator 6 times yields a scale with 2 step sizes. This is the 5L 2s MOS pattern.

</gallery>

== Step Size Ratios ==

Step size ratios

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   WORK-IN-PROGRESS AS OF 27 MAY 2025
-'''Moments of Symmetry (MOS)''' are scales created by a simple procedure that generates the common [[2L 3s|pentatonic]] and [[5L 2s|diatonic]] scales, but also extends their melodic coherence and structural balance to a wide range of novel xenharmonic scales. First described by Erv Wilson in the 1970's, the concept shares fundamental similarities and is often though of as synonymous with the concept of Well-Formed scales, as well as the more generalized concept of [[Maximum variety|MV2 scales]]. Over time, MOS has become a central tool in xenharmonic theory, inspiring a wide range of musical uses, analytical approaches, and derivative concepts such as [[MODMOS]], multi-MOS, and [[MOS rhythm|MOS-based rhythm]].
+'''Moments of Symmetry (MOS)''' are scales created by a simple procedure that generates the common [[2L 3s|pentatonic]] and [[5L 2s|diatonic]] scales, but also extends their melodic coherence and structural balance to a wide range of novel xenharmonic scales. First described by [[Erv Wilson]] in the 1970's, the concept shares fundamental similarities and is often thought of as synonymous with the concept of Well-Formed scales, as well as the more generalized concept of [[Maximum variety|MV2 scales]]. Over time, MOS has become a central tool in xenharmonic theory, inspiring a wide range of musical uses, analytical approaches, and derivative concepts such as [[MODMOS]], multi-MOS, and [[MOS rhythm|MOS-based rhythm]].
-== Constructing Moments of Symmetry ==
+== Construction ==
 <gallery mode="nolines" widths="200" heights="200">
 File:1-1 MOS Construction.png|An interval is chosen to be the period (the 1200 cent octave in this example). The period is represented with a circle; intervals are represented with purple lines and points radiating out from the middle which move clockwise.
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 File:1-7 MOS Construction.png|Stacking the generator 6 times yields a scale with 2 step sizes. This is the 5L 2s MOS pattern.
 </gallery>
+== Step Size Ratios ==
+Step size ratios