Helmholtz–Ellis notation: Difference between revisions

From Xenharmonic Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
Flirora (talk | contribs)
autopatrolled, emailconfirmed
281 edits
m fix link
Split old/deprecated symbols from current ones for clarity. Misc. clenup
 
Line 4: Line 4:


== Introductory materials ==
== Introductory materials ==
* [https://heji.plainsound.org/ The Helmholtz-Ellis JI Pitch Notation (HEJI)] by Marc Sabat and Thomas Nicholson from Plainsound Music Edition – 2020 version with revised symbols for primes up to 47 entirely based on alterations of Pythagorean notes
* [https://heji.plainsound.org/ The Helmholtz-Ellis JI Pitch Notation (HEJI)] by Marc Sabat and Thomas Nicholson from Plainsound Music Edition – 2020 version with revised symbols for primes up to 47 entirely based on alterations of Pythagorean notes
* [http://www.plainsound.org/pdfs/ji_notation.pdf Extended Helmholtz-Ellis JI Pitch Notation] by Marc Sabat and Wolfgang von Schweinitz from Plainsound Music Edition - deprecated<ref>See [https://masa.plainsound.org/work.html#writing Marc Sabat : Music & Writings]. </ref> 2004 version
* [http://www.plainsound.org/pdfs/ji_notation.pdf Extended Helmholtz-Ellis JI Pitch Notation] by Marc Sabat and Wolfgang von Schweinitz from Plainsound Music Edition - deprecated<ref>See [https://masa.plainsound.org/work.html#writing Marc Sabat : Music & Writings]. </ref> 2004 version


== Quick reference ==
== Quick reference ==
Below is a quick guide to the accidentals and commas used in Helmholtz-Ellis notation.
Below is a quick guide to the accidentals and commas used in Helmholtz–Ellis notation.


{| class="wikitable center-all" style="margin: auto auto auto auto;"
{| class="wikitable center-all" style="margin: auto auto auto auto;"
|+ style="font-size: 105%;" | Formal commas
|+ style="font-size: 105%;" | Formal commas
|-
|-
! Prime !! Formal Comma
! Prime !! Formal comma
|-
|-
| [[5-limit|5]] || [[81/80]]
| [[5-limit|5]] || [[81/80]]
Line 39: Line 39:
| [[43-limit|43]] || [[129/128]]
| [[43-limit|43]] || [[129/128]]
|-
|-
| [[47-limit|47]] || [[48/47]]<ref>The recent March 2025 revision of HEJI changed the 47 comma from [[752/729]] to [[48/47]], which has yet to gain popular support. See [https://heji.plainsound.org The Helmholtz-Ellis JI Pitch Notation (HEJI)].</ref>
| [[47-limit|47]] || [[48/47]]<ref>The recent March 2025 revision of HEJI changed the 47 comma from [[752/729]] to [[48/47]], which has yet to gain popular support. See [https://heji.plainsound.org The Helmholtz–Ellis JI Pitch Notation (HEJI)].</ref>
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable sortable center-all left-5" style="margin: auto auto auto auto;"
{| class="wikitable sortable center-all left-6" style="margin: auto auto auto auto;"
|+ style="font-size: 105%;" | Odd harmonics in the harmonic series
|+ style="font-size: 105%;" | Odd harmonics in the harmonic series
|-
|-
Line 57: Line 57:
| 1/1
| 1/1
| colspan="3" | [[File:HejiC.svg|48x48px]]
| colspan="3" | [[File:HejiC.svg|48x48px]]
| rowspan="2" | Default staff notation represents Pythagorean tuning
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: left"; | Default staff notation represents Pythagorean tuning
|-
|-
| 3
| 3
Line 76: Line 76:
| 9/8
| 9/8
| colspan="3" | [[File:HejiD.svg|48x48px]]
| colspan="3" | [[File:HejiD.svg|48x48px]]
| Default staff notation represents Pythagorean tuning
| style="text-align: left"; | Default staff notation represents Pythagorean tuning
|-
|-
| 11
| 11
| 11/8
| 11/8
| colspan="3" | [[File:Heji41.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiF.svg|48x48px]]
| colspan="3" | [[File:Heji41.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiF.svg|48x48px]]
| [[File:Heji41.svg|54x54px]] is ''not'' a half-sharp, as [[File:Heji41.svg|54x54px]][[File:Heji41.svg|54x54px]]F is [[243/242|7.1¢]] flatter than F&#x266F;.
| style="text-align: left"; | [[File:Heji41.svg|54x54px]] is ''not'' a half-sharp, as [[File:Heji41.svg|54x54px]][[File:Heji41.svg|54x54px]]F is [[243/242|7.1¢]] flatter than F&#x266F;.
|-
|-
| 13
| 13
Line 97: Line 97:
| colspan="2" | [[File:Heji44.svg|54x54px]][[File:Heji25.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiC.svg|48x48px]]
| colspan="2" | [[File:Heji44.svg|54x54px]][[File:Heji25.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiC.svg|48x48px]]
| [[File:Heji44.svg|54x54px]][[File:Heji12.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiD.svg|48x48px]]
| [[File:Heji44.svg|54x54px]][[File:Heji12.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiD.svg|48x48px]]
| Definition of the accidental is revised from 256/255 to 2187/2176 in the 2020 version by Plainsound Music Edition
| style="text-align: left"; | Definition of the accidental is revised from 256/255 to 2187/2176 in the 2020 version by Plainsound Music Edition
|-
|-
| 19
| 19
Line 122: Line 122:
| 27/16
| 27/16
| colspan="3" | [[File:HejiA.svg|48x48px]]
| colspan="3" | [[File:HejiA.svg|48x48px]]
| Default staff notation represents Pythagorean tuning
| style="text-align: left"; | Default staff notation represents Pythagorean tuning
|-
|-
| 29
| 29
Line 128: Line 128:
| colspan="2" | [[File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise29LimitComma.svg|48x48px]][[File:Heji11.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiB.svg|48x48px]]
| colspan="2" | [[File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise29LimitComma.svg|48x48px]][[File:Heji11.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiB.svg|48x48px]]
| [[File:Heji51.svg|54x54px]][[File:Heji12.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiB.svg|48x48px]]
| [[File:Heji51.svg|54x54px]][[File:Heji12.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiB.svg|48x48px]]
| Definition of the accidental is revised from 145/144 to 261/256 in the 2020 version by Plainsound Music Edition
| style="text-align: left"; | Definition of the accidental is revised from 145/144 to 261/256 in the 2020 version by Plainsound Music Edition
|-
|-
| 31
| 31
Line 134: Line 134:
| colspan="2" | [[File:Heji52.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiC.svg|48x48px]]
| colspan="2" | [[File:Heji52.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiC.svg|48x48px]]
| [[File:HejiaccidentalCombiningLower31SchismaOld.svg|48x48px]][[File:Heji40.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiC.svg|48x48px]]
| [[File:HejiaccidentalCombiningLower31SchismaOld.svg|48x48px]][[File:Heji40.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiC.svg|48x48px]]
| Definition of the accidental is revised from 1024/1023 to 32/31 in the 2020 version by Plainsound Music Edition
| style="text-align: left"; | Definition of the accidental is revised from 1024/1023 to 32/31 in the 2020 version by Plainsound Music Edition
|-
|-
| 33
| 33
Line 180: Line 180:
| [[File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise47Quartertone.svg|48x48px]][[File:Heji25.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiF.svg|48x48px]]
| [[File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise47Quartertone.svg|48x48px]][[File:Heji25.svg|54x54px]][[File:HejiF.svg|48x48px]]
| -
| -
| Pre-March 2025 notation, where [[File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise47Quartertone.svg|48x48px]] represents [[752/729]], in the update March 2025 of version 2022, [[File:HejiRaiseByOne47limitSixthtone.png|24x36px]] represents [[48/47]]
| In pre–March-2025 notation, [[File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise47Quartertone.svg|36x36px]] represents [[752/729]]; in the update March 2025 of version 2020, [[File:HejiRaiseByOne47limitSixthtone.png|24x36px]] represents [[48/47]].
|}
|}


== Helmholtz-Ellis glyphs ==
== Helmholtz–Ellis glyphs ==
<div style="margin: auto auto auto auto;">
<div style="margin: auto auto auto auto;">
<gallery>
<gallery>
Line 235: Line 235:
File:Heji48.svg | Combining lower by one 23-limit comma
File:Heji48.svg | Combining lower by one 23-limit comma
File:Heji49.svg | Combining raise by one 23-limit comma
File:Heji49.svg | Combining raise by one 23-limit comma
File:Heji50.svg | Combining lower by one 29-limit schisma (old)
File:Heji51.svg | Combining raise by one 29-limit schisma (old)
File:Heji accidentalCombiningLower29LimitComma.svg | Combining lower by one 29-limit comma
File:Heji accidentalCombiningLower29LimitComma.svg | Combining lower by one 29-limit comma
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise29LimitComma.svg | Combining raise by one 29-limit comma
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise29LimitComma.svg | Combining raise by one 29-limit comma
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningLower31SchismaOld.svg | Combining lower by one 31-limit schisma (old)
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise31SchismaOld.svg | Combining raise by one 31-limit schisma (old)
File:Heji52.svg | Combining lower by one 31-limit quartertone
File:Heji52.svg | Combining lower by one 31-limit quartertone
File:Heji53.svg | Combining raise by one 31-limit quartertone
File:Heji53.svg | Combining raise by one 31-limit quartertone
Line 249: Line 245:
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningLower43Comma.svg | Combining lower by one 43-limit comma
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningLower43Comma.svg | Combining lower by one 43-limit comma
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise43Comma.svg | Combining raise by one 43-limit comma
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise43Comma.svg | Combining raise by one 43-limit comma
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningLower47Quartertone.svg | Combining lower by one 47-limit quartertone
File:HejiRaiseByOne47limitSixthtone.png | Raise by one 47-limit sixthtone (update 03.2025)
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise47Quartertone.svg | Combining raise by one 47-limit quartertone
File:HejiLowerByOne47limitSixthtone.png | Lower by one 47-limit sixthtone (update 03.2025)
File:HejiRaiseByOne47limitSixthtone.png | Raise by one 47-limit Sixthtone (update 03.2025)
</gallery>
File:HejiLowerByOne47limitSixthtone.png | Lower by one 47-limit Sixthtone (update 03.2025)
</div>
</gallery></div>
 
=== Old/deprecated symbols ===
<div style="margin: auto auto auto auto;">
<gallery>
File:Heji50.svg | Combining lower by one 29-limit schisma (old)
File:Heji51.svg | Combining raise by one 29-limit schisma (old)
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningLower31SchismaOld.svg | Combining lower by one 31-limit schisma (old)
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise31SchismaOld.svg | Combining raise by one 31-limit schisma (old)
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningLower47Quartertone.svg | Combining lower by one 47-limit quartertone (old)
File:HejiaccidentalCombiningRaise47Quartertone.svg | Combining raise by one 47-limit quartertone (old)
</gallery>
</div>


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://tonalsoft.com/enc/h/hewm.aspx HEWM Notation (Helmholtz-Ellis-Wolf-Monzo)] - Tonalsoft enyclopedia of microtonal music theory
* [http://tonalsoft.com/enc/h/hewm.aspx HEWM Notation (Helmholtz-Ellis-Wolf-Monzo)] – Tonalsoft enyclopedia of microtonal music theory
* [https://hejicalc.plainsound.org/ Plainsound Harmonic Space Calculator]
* [https://hejicalc.plainsound.org/ Plainsound Harmonic Space Calculator]
* [https://w3c.github.io/smufl/latest/tables/extended-helmholtz-ellis-accidentals-just-intonation-supplement.html Glyphs in smufl]
* [https://w3c.github.io/smufl/latest/tables/extended-helmholtz-ellis-accidentals-just-intonation-supplement.html Glyphs in SMuFL]


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 264: Line 271:
* [[Functional Just System]] (FJS)
* [[Functional Just System]] (FJS)
* [[Ben Johnston's notation]]
* [[Ben Johnston's notation]]
* [[:Category:SVG]]
* [[:Category: SVG]]


== Notes ==
== Notes ==

Latest revision as of 13:19, 12 July 2025

The Helmholtz-Ellis JI pitch notation (HEJI) is a musical notation system for just intonation intervals up to the 47-limit. It consists of a set of accidentals defined by formal commas for each prime harmonic.

Further accidentals were designed by richie for primes up to the 89-limit; see richie's HEJI extensions.

Introductory materials

Quick reference

Below is a quick guide to the accidentals and commas used in Helmholtz–Ellis notation.

Formal commas
Prime Formal comma
5 81/80
7 64/63
11 33/32
13 27/26
17 2187/2176
19 513/512
23 736/729
29 261/256
31 32/31
37 37/36
41 82/81
43 129/128
47 48/47[2]
Odd harmonics in the harmonic series
Harmonic Just Ratio Notation (assuming 1/1 is C) Comments
2020 version (update 03.2025) 2020 version 2004 version
1 1/1 Default staff notation represents Pythagorean tuning
3 3/2
5 5/4
7 7/4
9 9/8 Default staff notation represents Pythagorean tuning
11 11/8 is not a half-sharp, as F is 7.1¢ flatter than F♯.
13 13/8
15 15/8
17 17/16 Definition of the accidental is revised from 256/255 to 2187/2176 in the 2020 version by Plainsound Music Edition
19 19/16
21 21/16
23 23/16
25 25/16
27 27/16 Default staff notation represents Pythagorean tuning
29 29/16 Definition of the accidental is revised from 145/144 to 261/256 in the 2020 version by Plainsound Music Edition
31 31/16 Definition of the accidental is revised from 1024/1023 to 32/31 in the 2020 version by Plainsound Music Edition
33 33/32
35 35/32
37 37/32 -
39 39/32 -
41 41/32 -
43 43/32 -
45 45/32
47 47/32 - In pre–March-2025 notation, represents 752/729; in the update March 2025 of version 2020, represents 48/47.

Helmholtz–Ellis glyphs

  • Double flat lowered by three syntonic commas
    Double flat lowered by three syntonic commas
  • Double flat lowered by two syntonic commas
    Double flat lowered by two syntonic commas
  • Double flat lowered by one syntonic comma
    Double flat lowered by one syntonic comma
  • Double flat
    Double flat
  • Double flat raised by one syntonic comma
    Double flat raised by one syntonic comma
  • Double flat raised by two syntonic commas
    Double flat raised by two syntonic commas
  • Double flat raised by three syntonic commas
    Double flat raised by three syntonic commas
  • Flat lowered by three syntonic commas
    Flat lowered by three syntonic commas
  • Flat lowered by two syntonic commas
    Flat lowered by two syntonic commas
  • Flat lowered by one syntonic comma
    Flat lowered by one syntonic comma
  • Flat
    Flat
  • Flat raised by one syntonic comma
    Flat raised by one syntonic comma
  • Flat raised by two syntonic commas
    Flat raised by two syntonic commas
  • Flat raised by three syntonic commas
    Flat raised by three syntonic commas
  • Natural lowered by three syntonic commas
    Natural lowered by three syntonic commas
  • Natural lowered by two syntonic commas
    Natural lowered by two syntonic commas
  • Natural lowered by one syntonic comma
    Natural lowered by one syntonic comma
  • Natural
    Natural
  • Natural raised by one syntonic comma
    Natural raised by one syntonic comma
  • Natural raised by two syntonic commas
    Natural raised by two syntonic commas
  • Natural raised by three syntonic commas
    Natural raised by three syntonic commas
  • Sharp lowered by three syntonic commas
    Sharp lowered by three syntonic commas
  • Sharp lowered by two syntonic commas
    Sharp lowered by two syntonic commas
  • Sharp lowered by one syntonic comma
    Sharp lowered by one syntonic comma
  • Sharp
    Sharp
  • Sharp raised by one syntonic comma
    Sharp raised by one syntonic comma
  • Sharp raised by two syntonic commas
    Sharp raised by two syntonic commas
  • Sharp raised by three syntonic commas
    Sharp raised by three syntonic commas
  • Double sharp lowered by three syntonic commas
    Double sharp lowered by three syntonic commas
  • Double sharp lowered by two syntonic commas
    Double sharp lowered by two syntonic commas
  • Double sharp lowered by one syntonic comma
    Double sharp lowered by one syntonic comma
  • Double sharp
    Double sharp
  • Double sharp raised by one syntonic comma
    Double sharp raised by one syntonic comma
  • Double sharp raised by two syntonic commas
    Double sharp raised by two syntonic commas
  • Double sharp raised by three syntonic commas
    Double sharp raised by three syntonic commas
  • Lower by two septimal commas
    Lower by two septimal commas
  • Lower by one septimal comma
    Lower by one septimal comma
  • Raise by one septimal comma
    Raise by one septimal comma
  • Raise by two septimal commas
    Raise by two septimal commas
  • Lower by one undecimal quartertone
    Lower by one undecimal quartertone
  • Raise by one undecimal quartertone
    Raise by one undecimal quartertone
  • Lower by one tridecimal third tone
    Lower by one tridecimal third tone
  • Raise by one tridecimal third tone
    Raise by one tridecimal third tone
  • Combining lower by one 17-limit schisma
    Combining lower by one 17-limit schisma
  • Combining raise by one 17-limit schisma
    Combining raise by one 17-limit schisma
  • Combining lower by one 19-limit schisma
    Combining lower by one 19-limit schisma
  • Combining raise by one 19-limit schisma
    Combining raise by one 19-limit schisma
  • Combining lower by one 23-limit comma
    Combining lower by one 23-limit comma
  • Combining raise by one 23-limit comma
    Combining raise by one 23-limit comma
  • Combining lower by one 29-limit comma
    Combining lower by one 29-limit comma
  • Combining raise by one 29-limit comma
    Combining raise by one 29-limit comma
  • Combining lower by one 31-limit quartertone
    Combining lower by one 31-limit quartertone
  • Combining raise by one 31-limit quartertone
    Combining raise by one 31-limit quartertone
  • Combining lower by one 37-limit quartertone
    Combining lower by one 37-limit quartertone
  • Combining raise by one 37-limit quartertone
    Combining raise by one 37-limit quartertone
  • Combining lower by one 41-limit comma
    Combining lower by one 41-limit comma
  • Combining raise by one 41-limit comma
    Combining raise by one 41-limit comma
  • Combining lower by one 43-limit comma
    Combining lower by one 43-limit comma
  • Combining raise by one 43-limit comma
    Combining raise by one 43-limit comma
  • Raise by one 47-limit sixthtone (update 03.2025)
    Raise by one 47-limit sixthtone (update 03.2025)
  • Lower by one 47-limit sixthtone (update 03.2025)
    Lower by one 47-limit sixthtone (update 03.2025)

Old/deprecated symbols

  • Combining lower by one 29-limit schisma (old)
    Combining lower by one 29-limit schisma (old)
  • Combining raise by one 29-limit schisma (old)
    Combining raise by one 29-limit schisma (old)
  • Combining lower by one 31-limit schisma (old)
    Combining lower by one 31-limit schisma (old)
  • Combining raise by one 31-limit schisma (old)
    Combining raise by one 31-limit schisma (old)
  • Combining lower by one 47-limit quartertone (old)
    Combining lower by one 47-limit quartertone (old)
  • Combining raise by one 47-limit quartertone (old)
    Combining raise by one 47-limit quartertone (old)

External links

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ See Marc Sabat : Music & Writings.
  2. ↑ The recent March 2025 revision of HEJI changed the 47 comma from 752/729 to 48/47, which has yet to gain popular support. See The Helmholtz–Ellis JI Pitch Notation (HEJI).


View • Talk • EditMusical notation
Universal Sagittal notation
Just intonation Functional Just System • Ben Johnston's notation (Johnston–Copper notation) • Helmholtz–Ellis notation • Color notation
MOS scales Diamond-mos notation • KISS notation (Quasi-diatonic MOS notation)
Temperaments Circle-of-fifths notation • Ups and downs notation (alternative symbols) • Syntonic–rastmic subchroma notation • Extended meantone notation • Fractional sharp notation
See musical notation for a longer list of systems by category. See Category:Notation for the most complete, comprehensive list, but not sorted by category.
Retrieved from "https://en.xen.wiki/index.php?title=Helmholtz–Ellis_notation&oldid=204418"