Ben Johnston's notation: Difference between revisions
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{{Wikipedia| Ben Johnston (composer) #Staff notation}} | {{Wikipedia| Ben Johnston (composer) #Staff notation}} | ||
This is a | |||
Composer '''[[Ben Johnston]]'s notation''' is a staff notation system for [[just intonation]]. Johnston used it up to the [[31-limit]]. | |||
The base notes (white keys on the piano) are selected so that the chord F A C E G B D consists of three stacked 4:5:6 chords, i.e. F A C, C E G, and G B D are just major triads. Then the following symbols are used for inflections, all of which denote [[superparticular]] ratios or their reciprocals: | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|+ Caption text | |||
|- | |||
! Symbol !! Ratio !! Symbol !! Ratio | |||
|- | |||
| + || [[81/80]] || - || 80/81 | |||
|- | |||
| ♯ || [[25/24]] || ♭ || 24/25 | |||
|- | |||
| 7 || 35/36 || <span style="display: inline-block; transform: rotate(180deg)">7</span> || [[36/35]] | |||
|- | |||
| ↑ || [[33/32]] || ↓ || 32/33 | |||
|- | |||
| 13 || [[65/64]] || <span style="display: inline-block; transform: rotate(180deg)">13</span> || 64/65 | |||
|- | |||
| 17 || [[51/50]] || <span style="display: inline-block; transform: rotate(180deg)">17</span> || 50/51 | |||
|- | |||
| 19 || 95/96 || <span style="display: inline-block; transform: rotate(180deg)">19</span> || [[96/95]] | |||
|- | |||
| 23 || [[46/45]] || <span style="display: inline-block; transform: rotate(180deg)">23</span> || 45/46 | |||
|- | |||
| 29 || [[145/144]] || <span style="display: inline-block; transform: rotate(180deg)">29</span> || 144/145 | |||
|- | |||
| 31 || [[31/30]] || <span style="display: inline-block; transform: rotate(180deg)">31</span> || 30/31 | |||
|} | |||
When both a 7 and a flat symbol are present, Johnston combines them into a flat symbol with a line extending from the upper left. This is not to be confused with a flat symbol and a minus sign. | |||
A circle of just fifths is given by ... D♭-- A♭- E♭- B♭- F C G D A+ E+ B+ F♯++ ..., with a plus or minus added for every loop around the ends of the core F A C E G B D sequence. The odd harmonic series up to 31 starting on C is given by C G E B♭7 D F↑ A♭13 B C♯17 E♭19 F+7 F♯23 G♯ A+ B♭29 B31. | |||
Johnston's notation sacrifices some mathematical purity compared to [[Helmholtz-Ellis notation]], as it is based on 4:5:6 chords rather than [[Pythagorean tuning]]. This comes at the possible advantage of fewer inflection markers needed for music that emphasizes the 5-limit. | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
Revision as of 00:40, 10 January 2023
Composer Ben Johnston's notation is a staff notation system for just intonation. Johnston used it up to the 31-limit.
The base notes (white keys on the piano) are selected so that the chord F A C E G B D consists of three stacked 4:5:6 chords, i.e. F A C, C E G, and G B D are just major triads. Then the following symbols are used for inflections, all of which denote superparticular ratios or their reciprocals:
| Symbol | Ratio | Symbol | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| + | 81/80 | - | 80/81 |
| ♯ | 25/24 | ♭ | 24/25 |
| 7 | 35/36 | 7 | 36/35 |
| ↑ | 33/32 | ↓ | 32/33 |
| 13 | 65/64 | 13 | 64/65 |
| 17 | 51/50 | 17 | 50/51 |
| 19 | 95/96 | 19 | 96/95 |
| 23 | 46/45 | 23 | 45/46 |
| 29 | 145/144 | 29 | 144/145 |
| 31 | 31/30 | 31 | 30/31 |
When both a 7 and a flat symbol are present, Johnston combines them into a flat symbol with a line extending from the upper left. This is not to be confused with a flat symbol and a minus sign.
A circle of just fifths is given by ... D♭-- A♭- E♭- B♭- F C G D A+ E+ B+ F♯++ ..., with a plus or minus added for every loop around the ends of the core F A C E G B D sequence. The odd harmonic series up to 31 starting on C is given by C G E B♭7 D F↑ A♭13 B C♯17 E♭19 F+7 F♯23 G♯ A+ B♭29 B31.
Johnston's notation sacrifices some mathematical purity compared to Helmholtz-Ellis notation, as it is based on 4:5:6 chords rather than Pythagorean tuning. This comes at the possible advantage of fewer inflection markers needed for music that emphasizes the 5-limit.