SN scale: Difference between revisions

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An SN scale of rank 2, a 2-SN scale, is a [[MOS scale]]. Accordingly, SN scales are a generalization of MOS scales into arbitrary rank. [[ET]]<nowiki/>s can be considered to be 1-SN scales, which can be generated by applying a) once, introducing a step of a single degree of the ET.
An SN scale of rank 2, a 2-SN scale, is a [[MOS scale]]. Accordingly, SN scales are a generalization of MOS scales into arbitrary rank. [[ET]]<nowiki/>s can be considered to be 1-SN scales, which can be generated by applying a) once, introducing a step of a single degree of the ET.


SN scales are [[Scale properties simplified|symmetric]], and may be uniquely defined by a ''step signature'' - a generalization of the MOS signature into arbitrary rank.
SN scales are [[Rank-3 scales#Rank-2 scales|mirror-symmetric]], and may be uniquely defined by a ''step signature'' - a generalization of the MOS signature into arbitrary rank.


== Examples ==
==Examples ==
The diatonic scale can be generated by iterating a) twice, introducing first the octave, then the perfect fifth, and then iterating b) 3 times. It has step signature 5L 2s, and in the symmetric mode, it has step arrangement LsLLLsL. No other arrangement of 5 large and 2 small step sizes results in a SN scale.
The diatonic scale can be generated by iterating a) twice, introducing first the octave, then the perfect fifth, and then iterating b) 3 times. It has step signature 5L 2s, and in the symmetric mode, it has step arrangement LsLLLsL. No other arrangement of 5 large and 2 small step sizes results in a SN scale.


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The simplest 4-SN scale is generated by iterating a) 4 times, leading to the scale abacabad. If we map the intervals introduced with a) as 2/1, 3/2, 7/6, and 15/14, we get the scale 15/14 7/6 5/4 3/2 45/28 7/4 15/8 2/1, with step signature (1,2,4,1), mapped to (6/5, 7/6, 15/14, 16/15).  
The simplest 4-SN scale is generated by iterating a) 4 times, leading to the scale abacabad. If we map the intervals introduced with a) as 2/1, 3/2, 7/6, and 15/14, we get the scale 15/14 7/6 5/4 3/2 45/28 7/4 15/8 2/1, with step signature (1,2,4,1), mapped to (6/5, 7/6, 15/14, 16/15).  


== Labeling ==
==Labeling==
Where the [[Meantone]] tempered diatonic scale can be labelled as Meantone[7], we may instead describe it through its derivation as an SN scale through labeling it (2/1, 3/2: 81/80)[7], which specifies that a) introduces the intervals 2/1 and 3/2, and then b) is applied until a 7-note scale is reached, and that 81/80 is tempered out in the scale.
Where the [[Meantone]] tempered diatonic scale can be labelled as Meantone[7], we may instead describe it through its derivation as an SN scale through labeling it (2/1, 3/2: 81/80)[7], which specifies that a) introduces the intervals 2/1 and 3/2, and then b) is applied until a 7-note scale is reached, and that 81/80 is tempered out in the scale.


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MET-24, as a (2.3.7.11.13) Parapyth tempered scale can be labelled ((2/1, 3/2)[12], 28/27~33/32: 352/351, 364/363))[24] (the simplest basis set for commas tempered out is chosen to specify the temperament), with step signatures (5, 12, 7) mapped to (~27/26, 28/27~33/32, ~64/63).
MET-24, as a (2.3.7.11.13) Parapyth tempered scale can be labelled ((2/1, 3/2)[12], 28/27~33/32: 352/351, 364/363))[24] (the simplest basis set for commas tempered out is chosen to specify the temperament), with step signatures (5, 12, 7) mapped to (~27/26, 28/27~33/32, ~64/63).


== Further definition ==
==Further definition ==
The above scales all have a period of an octave - and therefore a) first introduces the interval of an octave, however, the period of an SN scale, as with the mapping of any new smallest step introduced, is arbitrary.
The above scales all have a period of an octave - and therefore a) first introduces the interval of an octave, however, the period of an SN scale, as with the mapping of any new smallest step introduced, is arbitrary.