Just intonation subgroup: Difference between revisions

Rework intro for accessibility (1/2); also correction (subgroups aren't necessarily finite)
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| en = Just intonation subgroup
| de = Untergruppe der reinen Stimmung
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| en = Just intonation subgroup
| es =  
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| ja = 純正律部分群
| ja = 純正律部分群
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A '''just intonation subgroup''' is a {{w|free abelian group|group}} generated by a finite set of positive rational numbers via arbitrary multiplications and divisions. Using subgroups implies a way to organize [[just intonation]] intervals such that they form a lattice. Therefore it is closely related to [[regular temperament theory]].  
A '''just intonation subgroup''' consists of all [[just intonation]] intervals formed by arbitrarily [[stacking]] a set of intervals and their inverses finitely many times. The term ''{{w|subgroup}}'' refers to its mathematical structure with respect to JI – a subset of a {{w|group (mathematics)|group}} that is also a group. Just intonation subgroups organize intervals consistently, with each subgroup corresponding to a [[lattice]]; the use of these as an approach to JI is closely related to [[regular temperament theory]].
 
Just intonation subgroups can be described by listing their [[generator]]s in [[frequency ratio]]s with full stops between them; we use said convention below. For example, the [[2.3.7 subgroup]] is a subgroup consisting of intervals that are combinations of [[2/1|2]], [[3/1|3]], and [[7/1|7]].  


Just intonation subgroups can be described by listing their [[generator]]s with full stops between them; we use said convention below. In standard mathematical notation, let ''c''<sub>1</sub>, …, ''c''<sub>''r''</sub> be positive reals, and suppose ''v''<sub>''k''</sub> is the musical interval of log<sub>2</sub>(''c''<sub>''k''</sub>) octaves. Then
In standard mathematical notation, let ''c''<sub>1</sub>, …, ''c''<sub>''r''</sub> be positive rationals, and suppose ''v''<sub>''k''</sub> is the musical interval of log<sub>2</sub>(''c''<sub>''k''</sub>) octaves. Then


<math>c_1.c_2.\cdots.c_r := \operatorname{span}_\mathbb{Z} \{v_1, \cdots, v_k\}.</math>
$$ c_1.c_2.\cdots.c_r := \operatorname{span}_\mathbb{Z} \{v_1, \cdots, v_k\}. $$


There are three categories of subgroups:
There are three categories of subgroups:
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A prime subgroup that does not omit any primes < ''p'' (e.g. 2.3.5, 2.3.5.7, 2.3.5.7.11, etc. but not 2.3.7 or 3.5.7) is simply called [[harmonic limit|''p''-limit JI]]. It is customary of just intonation subgroups to refer only to prime subgroups that do omit such primes, as well as the other two categories.
A prime subgroup that does not omit any primes < ''p'' (e.g. 2.3.5, 2.3.5.7, 2.3.5.7.11, etc. but not 2.3.7 or 3.5.7) is simply called [[harmonic limit|''p''-limit JI]]. It is customary of just intonation subgroups to refer only to prime subgroups that do omit such primes, as well as the other two categories.


The following terminology has been proposed for streamlining pedagogy: Given a subgroup written as generated by a fixed (non-redundant) set: ''a''.''b''.''c''.[…].''d'', call any member of this set a '''basis element''', '''structural prime''', or "'''formal prime'''".<ref>The meaning of "formal" this term is using is "of external form or structure, rather than nature or content", which is to say that a formal prime is not necessarily ''actually'' a prime, but we treat them as if they were. The original coiner of this term, [[Inthar]], has recommended its disuse, in favor of the mathematically accurate and generic "basis element", or possibly something else which indicates the co-uniqueness of the elements.</ref> For example, if the group is written 2.5/3.7/3, the basis elements are 2, 5/3 and 7/3.
The following terminology has been proposed for streamlining pedagogy: Given a subgroup written as generated by a fixed (non-redundant) set: ''a''.''b''.''c''.[…].''d'', call any member of this set a '''basis element''', '''structural prime''', or "'''formal prime'''".<ref group="note">The meaning of "formal" this term is using is "of external form or structure, rather than nature or content", which is to say that a formal prime is not necessarily ''actually'' a prime, but we treat them as if they were. The original coiner of this term, [[Inthar]], has recommended its disuse, in favor of the mathematically accurate and generic "basis element", or possibly something else which indicates the co-uniqueness of the elements.</ref> For example, if the group is written 2.5/3.7/3, the basis elements are 2, 5/3 and 7/3.


== Normalization ==
== Normalization ==
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== Notes ==
== Notes ==
<references group="note"/>


[[Category:Subgroup| ]] <!-- main article -->
[[Category:Subgroup| ]] <!-- main article -->
[[Category:Just intonation]]
[[Category:Just intonation]]