Acoustic phi: Difference between revisions
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ϕ taken as a [[frequency ratio]] ( | ϕ taken as a [[frequency ratio]] (ϕ⋅''f'' where {{nowrap|''f'' {{=}} 1/1}}) is about 833.1 [[cent]]s. This [[metastable]] interval is sometimes called '''acoustic phi''', or the ''phi neutral sixth''. It is wider than a [[12edo]] minor sixth (800 cents) by about a sixth-tone (33.3… cents). | ||
ϕ is the most difficult interval to approximate by rational numbers, as {{w|Golden ratio #Continued fraction and square root|its continued fraction}} consists entirely of 1's. The | ϕ is the most difficult interval to approximate by rational numbers, as {{w|Golden ratio #Continued fraction and square root|its continued fraction}} consists entirely of 1's. The {{w|Convergent (continued fraction)|convergents}} (rational number approximations, obtained from the continued fractions) are the ratios of successive terms of the Fibonacci sequence converge on ϕ, the just intonation intervals 3/2, [[5/3]] (~884.4¢), [[8/5]] (~814.7¢), [[13/8]] (~840.5¢), [[21/13]] (~830.3¢), … converge on ~833.1 cents. | ||
[[Erv Wilson]] accordingly described ϕ as "the worstest of the worst — and yet somehow with divinity imbued, Lord have mercy!", inspiring the term [[merciful intonation]]. | [[Erv Wilson]] accordingly described ϕ as "the worstest of the worst — and yet somehow with divinity imbued, Lord have mercy!", inspiring the term [[merciful intonation]]. | ||
Revision as of 17:58, 12 September 2024
| Interval information |
ϕ taken as a frequency ratio (ϕ⋅f where f = 1/1) is about 833.1 cents. This metastable interval is sometimes called acoustic phi, or the phi neutral sixth. It is wider than a 12edo minor sixth (800 cents) by about a sixth-tone (33.3… cents).
ϕ is the most difficult interval to approximate by rational numbers, as its continued fraction consists entirely of 1's. The convergents (rational number approximations, obtained from the continued fractions) are the ratios of successive terms of the Fibonacci sequence converge on ϕ, the just intonation intervals 3/2, 5/3 (~884.4¢), 8/5 (~814.7¢), 13/8 (~840.5¢), 21/13 (~830.3¢), … converge on ~833.1 cents.
Erv Wilson accordingly described ϕ as "the worstest of the worst — and yet somehow with divinity imbued, Lord have mercy!", inspiring the term merciful intonation.
Acoustic phi is not to be confused with logarithmic phi, which is 1941.6¢ (741.6¢ octave-reduced).
See also
- 833 Cent Golden Scale (Bohlen)
- Phi as a generator
- sqrtphi, a temperament based on the square root of phi (~416.5 cents) as a generator.
- Edφ, tunings created by dividing acoustic phi into equally sized smaller steps