Hexatonic: Difference between revisions

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A '''hexatonic scale''' is a [[scale]] with 6 tones per [[period]].
A '''hexatonic scale''' is a [[scale]] with 6 tones per [[period]].
Hexatonic [[MOS scale]]s may be found at: [[Hexatonic MOS]].
Other hexatonic scales may be found at: [[:Category:6-tone scales]].


Hexatonic scales may sometimes be used as chords rather than scales, in which case they are called [[hexad]]s.
Hexatonic scales may sometimes be used as chords rather than scales, in which case they are called [[hexad]]s.


“Equihexatonic” scales are scales with 6 roughly equally spaced tones per [[octave]]. Equihexatonic scales are rare in the world’s musical traditions, with one big exception: the whole tone scale of modern Western music. It is an equihexatonic scale, so equi-, in fact, that it is exactly [[6edo]].
“Equihexatonic” scales are scales with 6 roughly equally spaced tones per [[octave]]. Equihexatonic scales are rare in the world’s musical traditions, with one big exception: the {{W|Whole tone scale|whole tone scale}} of modern Western music. It is an equihexatonic scale, so equi-, in fact, that it is exactly [[6edo]].


6 equal frequency divisions instead of pitch gives the hexatonic [[overtone scale]], the first mode of [[6afdo]].
6 equal frequency divisions instead of pitch gives the hexatonic [[overtone scale]], the first mode of [[6afdo]].
A hexatonic system of interval classification may be desired in the [[2.5.7 subgroup]], since 6edo represents it well for its size. Several extensions of the 2.5.7 subgroup, such as 2.9.5.7, 2.5.7.11, and 2.9.5.7.11, are also represented relatively accurately in 6edo.


Although equihexatonic scales may be rare, unequal hexatonic scales occur fairly commonly in the world’s musical traditions, especially in the folk music of some parts of Europe.  
Although equihexatonic scales may be rare, unequal hexatonic scales occur fairly commonly in the world’s musical traditions, especially in the folk music of some parts of Europe.  
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Curiously, the Scottish hexatonic, hexatonic minor, minor blues and major blues scales are all constructed by adding one note to a [[2L 3s]] MOS scale. It is curious that they share this common structure - but also useful, as it suggests that maybe, even outside of 12edo, adding a note to 2L 3s could be a productive way of developing useful hexatonic scales in any tuning which supports that MOS (including most [[EDO]]s).
Curiously, the Scottish hexatonic, hexatonic minor, minor blues and major blues scales are all constructed by adding one note to a [[2L 3s]] MOS scale. It is curious that they share this common structure - but also useful, as it suggests that maybe, even outside of 12edo, adding a note to 2L 3s could be a productive way of developing useful hexatonic scales in any tuning which supports that MOS (including most [[EDO]]s).
Hexatonic [[MOS scale]]s may be found at: [[Hexatonic MOS]].
Other hexatonic scales may be found at: [[:Category:6-tone scales]].


== See also ==
== See also ==