Ternary scale theorems: Difference between revisions
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
*# The scale is ''well-formed'' with respect to g, i.e. all occurrences of the generator g are ''k''-steps for a fixed ''k''. | *# The scale is ''well-formed'' with respect to g, i.e. all occurrences of the generator g are ''k''-steps for a fixed ''k''. | ||
* A ''scale'' or ''scale word'' is a circular word with a chosen size for its equave. As we're not working with scales with distinct equaves simultaneously, all three terms are effectively synonymous for our purposes. | * A ''scale'' or ''scale word'' is a circular word with a chosen size for its equave. As we're not working with scales with distinct equaves simultaneously, all three terms are effectively synonymous for our purposes. | ||
* A scale is ''primitive'' | * A scale is ''primitive'' if its period is the same as its equave. A ''multimos'' or ''multiperiod mos'' is a non-primitive mos. A mos aLbs is primitive iff gcd(a, b) = 1. This corresponds to the term ''single-period'' in common xen parlance. | ||
* An ''n''-''ary'' scale is a scale with ''n'' different step sizes. ''Binary'' and ''ternary'' are used when ''n'' = 2 and 3 respectively. | * An ''n''-''ary'' scale is a scale with ''n'' different step sizes. ''Binary'' and ''ternary'' are used when ''n'' = 2 and 3 respectively. | ||
* A strengthening of the generator-offset property, tentatively named the ''swung-generator-alternant property'' (SGA), states that the alternants g<sub>1</sub> and g<sub>2</sub> can be taken to always subtend the same number of scale steps, thus both representing "detemperings" of a generator of a single-period [[mos]] scale (otherwise known as a well-formed scale). All odd generator-offset scales are SGA, and aside from odd generator-offset scales, the only ternary scales to satisfy SGA are (xy)<sup>''r''</sup>xz, ''r'' ≥ 1. The Zarlino and diasem scales above are both SGA. [[Blackdye]] is generator-offset but not SGA. | * A strengthening of the generator-offset property, tentatively named the ''swung-generator-alternant property'' (SGA), states that the alternants g<sub>1</sub> and g<sub>2</sub> can be taken to always subtend the same number of scale steps, thus both representing "detemperings" of a generator of a single-period [[mos]] scale (otherwise known as a well-formed scale). All odd generator-offset scales are SGA, and aside from odd generator-offset scales, the only ternary scales to satisfy SGA are (xy)<sup>''r''</sup>xz, ''r'' ≥ 1. The Zarlino and diasem scales above are both SGA. [[Blackdye]] is generator-offset but not SGA. | ||