Wolf interval: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m Fix a grammar issue and +link |
-typo; +see also |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
A '''wolf interval''' or '''wolf''' is an [[interval]] that does not come across as [[just]]. Specifically, a wolf fifth in a 12-tone [[chromatic scale]] is the breaking point in the [[circle of fifths]] where it is technically a diminished sixth. By extension, the wolf interval has the following senses: | A '''wolf interval''' or '''wolf''' is an [[interval]] that does not come across as [[just]]. Specifically, a wolf fifth in a 12-tone [[chromatic scale]] is the breaking point in the [[circle of fifths]] where it is technically a diminished sixth. By extension, the wolf interval has the following senses: | ||
# An interval which is technically not what it appears to be on the keyboard. In [[meantone12|meantone[12]]], there are four such major thirds – unless we expect septimal | # An interval which is technically not what it appears to be on the keyboard. In [[meantone12|meantone[12]]], there are four such major thirds – unless we expect septimal interpretations – in addition to the wolf fifth. This is an artifact in keyboard design and can be solved by adopting an isomorphic keyboard layout. | ||
# An interval which impresses the listener as [[discordance]], and/or sounds like an out-of-tune other interval, due to its sheer [[complexity]] and/or lack of proper harmonic context. For example, [[40/27]] is a wolf fifth that occurs in 5-limit just scales like [[zarlino]]. This is more often known as the ''impure'' or ''imperfect fifth''. Historically, it gave rise to the use of [[meantone]], which moderates its effect by distributing the [[syntonic comma]] among four fifths. | # An interval which impresses the listener as [[discordance]], and/or sounds like an out-of-tune other interval, due to its sheer [[complexity]] and/or lack of proper harmonic context. For example, [[40/27]] is a wolf fifth that occurs in 5-limit just scales like [[zarlino]]. This is more often known as the ''impure'' or ''imperfect fifth''. Historically, it gave rise to the use of [[meantone]], which moderates its effect by distributing the [[syntonic comma]] among four fifths. | ||
== See also == | |||
* [http://tonalsoft.com/enc/w/wolf.aspx Tonalsoft Encyclopedia | ''Wolf''] | |||
[[Category:Terms]] | [[Category:Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Psychoacoustics]] | [[Category:Psychoacoustics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:40, 20 June 2024
A wolf interval or wolf is an interval that does not come across as just. Specifically, a wolf fifth in a 12-tone chromatic scale is the breaking point in the circle of fifths where it is technically a diminished sixth. By extension, the wolf interval has the following senses:
- An interval which is technically not what it appears to be on the keyboard. In meantone[12], there are four such major thirds – unless we expect septimal interpretations – in addition to the wolf fifth. This is an artifact in keyboard design and can be solved by adopting an isomorphic keyboard layout.
- An interval which impresses the listener as discordance, and/or sounds like an out-of-tune other interval, due to its sheer complexity and/or lack of proper harmonic context. For example, 40/27 is a wolf fifth that occurs in 5-limit just scales like zarlino. This is more often known as the impure or imperfect fifth. Historically, it gave rise to the use of meantone, which moderates its effect by distributing the syntonic comma among four fifths.