Root: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:16, 6 May 2025

English Wikipedia has an article on:

Root (chord)

The root is a specific note that names and characterizes a given chord. Chords are often spoken about in terms of their root, their quality, and their extensions. The root of the chord often appears in the bass, although this is not always the case. When the chord is voiced such that the root is the lowest note, it is said to be in root position.

In tertian harmony

If the chord can be voiced as a stack of thirds, then the root is typically the lowest note in the stack.

In other types types of harmony

If a chord is not composed of thirds, the root can be ambiguous. The chord may still be given a root, although there is no established procedure for doing so.

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-== Melodic root ==
+{{wikipedia|Root (chord)}}
-The term '''root''' is sometimes used to refer to the central establishing pitch which all other pitches are perceived in relation to. It is used interchangeably with "tonic".
+The '''root''' is a specific note that names and characterizes a given chord.
+Chords are often spoken about in terms of their root, their quality, and their extensions.
+The root of the chord often appears in the bass, although this is not always the case.
+When the chord is voiced such that the root is the lowest note, it is said to be in ''root position''.
-This wiki's article about that concept is: [[Tonic]].
+== In tertian harmony ==
+If the chord can be voiced as a stack of thirds, then the root is typically the lowest note in the stack.
-== Arithmetical root ==
+== In other types types of harmony ==
-{{Wikipedia|Nth root}} The arithmetical concept of '''roots''' is often encountered in discussions about tuning. The remainder of this page discusses that type of root.
+If a chord is not composed of thirds, the root can be ambiguous.
+The chord may still be given a root, although there is no established procedure for doing so.
-=== How are roots related to equal divisions? ===
+{{stub}}
-To divide an interval ''a'' into ''b'' equal parts, that is, to calculate the size of the interval that, when repeated ''b'' times, would add up to ''a'', calculate the ''b''-th root of ''a''. The equivalent expression is to take ''a'' to the (1/''b'')th power.
+{{todo|add examples}}
-Why roots and powers? Because intervals are proportions, which you must multiply in order to "add".
-Take a simple example: what is half of an [[octave]]? Well, an octave means "twice the frequency" or "2 times whatever you have" or "2 to 1" or simply "2". (The 2 itself has no units, because they cancel out: to calculate that octave between A220 and A440, we divide 440 Hertz by 220 Hertz and get… plain ol' 2.)  If an octave means "twice", then what is half of "twice"?
-It is not once… because two onces is just another once!
-It is the square ''root'' of 2! Try it: The √2 ''multiplied'' twice is √2·√2 = 2. (Note that √2 ''added'' twice would be 2√2.)
-[[Category:Elementary math]]

Root: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:16, 6 May 2025

In tertian harmony

In other types types of harmony

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