Generator: Difference between revisions

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Relation to music: add note about formal primes
Rework. It doesn't have "multiple senses" (or the page would need to be split).
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The term '''generator''' has multiple senses.
A '''generator''' is an interval which is stacked repeatedly to create pitches in a [[tuning system]] or a [[scale]].  
== Generators in MOSes ==
 
{{Main|Periods and generators}}
In [[MOS]] and [[rank]]-2 temperament contexts, the '''generator''' of a MOS or a rank-2 temperament is an interval that you stack up and reduce by the [[period]] of the MOS to construct the MOS pattern within each period. Along with the [[period]], it is one of two defining intervals of the [[MOS]]. For example:  
In [[MOS]] and [[rank]]-2 temperament contexts, the '''generator''' of a MOS or a rank-2 temperament is an interval that you stack up and reduce by the [[period]] of the MOS to construct the MOS pattern within each period. Along with the [[period]], it is one of two defining intervals of the [[MOS]]. For example:  
* In diatonic (LLLsLLs), the perfect fifth is a generator: stacking 6 fifths up from the tonic and reducing by the octave produces the pattern LLLsLLs, the Lydian mode. Note that the perfect fourth and the perfect twelfth are also generators.
* In diatonic (LLLsLLs), the perfect fifth is a generator: stacking 6 fifths up from the tonic and reducing by the octave produces the pattern LLLsLLs, the Lydian mode. Note that the perfect fourth and the perfect twelfth are also generators.
* One example for a MOS with multiple periods per octave: for [[pajara]][10] (ssLssssLss), the perfect fifth ([[~]][[3/2]]) is a generator and the half-octave is the period.
* One example for a MOS with multiple periods per octave: for [[pajara]][10] (ssLssssLss), the perfect fifth ([[~]][[3/2]]) is a generator and the half-octave is the period.


== Generators in math and JI subgroups ==
See [[Periods and generators]] for a beginner-level introduction.
A '''generating set''' of a [[Wikipedia: Group (mathematics)|group]] (such as a [[JI subgroup]], a [[regular temperament]] based on a JI subgroup, or any [[MOS]]-based harmony) is a subset of the elements of the group which is not contained in any [[Wikipedia: Subgroup|proper subgroup]], which is to say, any subgroup which is not the whole group. If the set is a finite set, the group is called finitely generated. If it is also an [[Wikipedia: Abelian group|abelian group]], it is called a [[Wikipedia: Finitely generated abelian group|finitely generated abelian group]]. An element of a generating set is called a '''generator'''.
 
== Mathematical definition ==
A '''generating set''' of a [[Wikipedia: Group (mathematics)|group]] (such as a [[JI subgroup]] or a [[regular temperament]] based on it) is a subset of the elements of the group which is not contained in any [[Wikipedia: Subgroup|proper subgroup]], which is to say, any subgroup which is not the whole group. If the set is a finite set, the group is called finitely generated. If it is also an [[Wikipedia: Abelian group|abelian group]], it is called a [[Wikipedia: Finitely generated abelian group|finitely generated abelian group]]. An element of a generating set is called a '''generator'''.


A '''minimal generating set''' is a generating set which has no "redundant" or "unnecessary" generators. For example, {2, 3, 5} and {2, 3, 5/3} are minimal generating sets for the JI subgroup 2.3.5. However, {2, 3, 5, 15} is not a minimal generating set: 15 = 3 · 5 so we can take out 15 from this generating set.
A '''minimal generating set''' is a generating set which has no "redundant" or "unnecessary" generators. For example, {2, 3, 5} and {2, 3, 5/3} are minimal generating sets for the JI subgroup 2.3.5. However, {2, 3, 5, 15} is not a minimal generating set: 15 = 3 · 5 so we can take out 15 from this generating set.