Systematic comma names explained: Difference between revisions

TallKite (talk | contribs)
Color notation: minor clarifications
m Closing error: -abuse of bold
Line 22: Line 22:
== Closing error ==
== Closing error ==
=== 31-comma, 21-23-comma, etc. ===
=== 31-comma, 21-23-comma, etc. ===
These types of comma names show the [[closing error]] of a specific [[interval]] in a specific [[EDO]].
These types of comma names show the [[closing error]] of a specific [[interval]] in a specific [[edo]].


For example, the '''31-5-comma''' is the difference between a stack of 31 '''5/4'''s (5/4 is the octave reduces harmonic #5), and 10 octaves, which is tempered out in '''31edo'''.
For example, the ''31-5-comma'' is the difference between a stack of 31 5/4's (5/4 is the octave reduces harmonic 5), and 10 octaves, which is tempered out in 31edo.


If the harmonic in question is the reduced third harmonic ('''3/2'''), then it is left out of the comma name. For example '''31-comma''' is the difference between a stack of 3/2s and a stack of octaves in 31edo.
If the harmonic in question is the reduced third harmonic (3/2), then it is left out of the comma name. For example the 31-comma is the difference between a stack of 3/2's and a stack of octaves in 31edo.


These kinds of names can sometimes be mistaken for sagittal names (discussed later on this page) and vice versa, so be wary of that.
These kinds of names can sometimes be mistaken for sagittal names (discussed later on this page) and vice versa, so be wary of that.


=== 11-3/5 comma, 45-7/5 comma, etc. ===
=== 11-3/5 comma, 45-7/5 comma, etc. ===
These are the same type of name as above, but they involve stacks of intervals that are not octave reduced harmonics. For example '''7/4''' is an octave reduced harmonic, so a comma tempering a stack of those would be an '''n-7''' comma, but '''7/5''' is ''not'' a reduced harmonic, so a comma tempering a stack of those would be an '''n-7/5''' comma rather than just n-7.
These are the same type of name as above, but they involve stacks of intervals that are not octave reduced harmonics. For example 7/4 is an octave reduced harmonic, so a comma tempering a stack of those would be an ''n''-7 comma, but 7/5 is ''not'' a reduced harmonic, so a comma tempering a stack of those would be an ''n''-7/5 comma rather than just ''n''-7.


An interval with a bigger denominator than numerator, like 3/5, indicates a negative interval. 3/5 for example is about -884 cents. A comma can still temper a stack of these. Just imagine it like a stack of 5/3s but going down instead of up. (In an EDO, intervals that go down still wrap back around every octave, so this is possible.)
An interval with a bigger denominator than numerator, like 3/5, indicates a negative interval. 3/5 for example is about -884 cents. A comma can still temper a stack of these. Just imagine it like a stack of 5/3's but going down instead of up. (In an edo, intervals that go down still wrap back around every octave, so this is possible.)


=== 87-fold starling comma, etc. ===
=== 87-fold starling comma, etc. ===
This is another type of closing error name. It’s for more complex commas that are created by other commas. It is easiest to understand with a couple examples:
This is another type of closing error name. It is for more complex commas that are created by other commas. It is easiest to understand with a couple examples:


'''87-fold starling comma''' means the difference between a '''stack of octaves''', and a '''stack of 87 starling commas''' (126/125s). This results in an 87th-octave temperament.
87-fold starling comma means the difference between a stack of octaves, and a stack of 87 starling commas (126/125's). This results in an 87th-octave temperament.


'''12-fold wesley comma''' means the difference between a '''stack of octaves''' (in this case 1 octave), and a '''stack of 12 wesley commas''' (78125/73728s).
12-fold wesley comma means the difference between a stack of octaves (in this case 1 octave), and a stack of 12 wesley commas (78125/73728's).


== Sagittal ==
== Sagittal ==