Pythagorean comma: Difference between revisions
Updated color notation |
Perhaps it is useful to keep this paragraph headed, not part of the intro |
||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
{{Wikipedia| Pythagorean comma }} | {{Wikipedia| Pythagorean comma }} | ||
The '''Pythagorean comma''' or '''ditonic comma''' is the interval with the ratio '''531441/524288''' ([[monzo]]: {{monzo| -19 12 }}). It is the amount by which twelve [[3/2|fifths]] exceed seven [[2/1|octaves]], or in other words (3/2)<sup>12</sup>/2<sup>7</sup>. It also can be written as the ratio between the apotome and limma, ([[2187/2048]])/([[256/243]]), and as the ratio between the Pythagorean augmented fourth and the Pythagorean diminished fifth, ([[729/512]])/([[1024/729]]). In addition, it is also the difference between six [[9/8]] major seconds and an octave. | The '''Pythagorean comma''' or '''ditonic comma''' is the interval with the ratio '''531441/524288''' ([[monzo]]: {{monzo| -19 12 }}). It is the amount by which twelve [[3/2|fifths]] exceed seven [[2/1|octaves]], or in other words (3/2)<sup>12</sup>/2<sup>7</sup>. It also can be written as the ratio between the apotome and limma, ([[2187/2048]])/([[256/243]]), and as the ratio between the Pythagorean augmented fourth and the Pythagorean diminished fifth, ([[729/512]])/([[1024/729]]). In addition, it is also the difference between six [[9/8]] major seconds - an augmented seventh - and an octave. | ||
In [[Pythagorean tuning]] or tunings close to it, this interval is | == Importance in diatonic == | ||
In [[Pythagorean tuning]] or tunings close to it, this interval is a ''negative'' diminished second. This is because adding Pythagorean commas makes the interval go up in pitch, down the scale. This apparently counterintuitive notion is a result of just fifths naturally producing a [[TAMNAMS #Step ratio spectrum|hard-of-basic]] [[5L 2s|diatonic]] scale, which means that the [[chromatic semitone]] is wider, not narrower, than the [[diatonic semitone]]. | |||
== Temperaments == | == Temperaments == | ||
| Line 24: | Line 25: | ||
Edos with a fifth flatter than the 12edo fifth, such as [[19edo]] and [[31edo]], map the Pythagorean comma negatively, and thus have a positive diminished second (also known as a [[diesis (scale theory)|diesis]]). The majority of these edos support [[meantone]], which equates the Pythagorean major third [[81/64]] to the 5-limit major third [[5/4]]. | Edos with a fifth flatter than the 12edo fifth, such as [[19edo]] and [[31edo]], map the Pythagorean comma negatively, and thus have a positive diminished second (also known as a [[diesis (scale theory)|diesis]]). The majority of these edos support [[meantone]], which equates the Pythagorean major third [[81/64]] to the 5-limit major third [[5/4]]. | ||
Since it is reached by 12 fifths, a highly composite number, there are many temperaments that split this comma whilst keeping fifths unsplit. Notably: | Since it is reached by 12 fifths, a highly composite number, there are many temperaments that split this comma whilst keeping fifths unsplit, splitting octaves instead. Notably: | ||
* [[Kalismic]], splitting it into 2 [[2835/2816|fwiwismas]]. | * [[Kalismic]], splitting it into 2 [[2835/2816|fwiwismas]]. | ||
* [[Landscape]], splitting it into 3 [[225/224|marvel commas]]. | * [[Landscape]], splitting it into 3 [[225/224|marvel commas]]. | ||
| Line 32: | Line 33: | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Mercator's comma]], the difference between 53 perfect fifths and 31 octaves | * [[Mercator's comma]], the difference between 53 perfect fifths and 31 octaves | ||
* [[41-comma]], the difference between 65 octaves and 41 perfect fifths | |||
* [[Gallery of just intervals]] | * [[Gallery of just intervals]] | ||
* [[Small comma]] | * [[Small comma]] | ||