Hemipyth

Revision as of 15:47, 4 July 2024 by Frostburn (talk | contribs) (List edo mappings up to 13b.)

Hemipyth refers to the √2.√3 subgroup i.e. intervals that can be constructed by multiplying fractional powers of 2 and 3 where the exponents have a denominator at most 2.

Notable hemipyth intervals include the neutral third √(3/2) = √3/√2, semioctave √2 and the semifourth √(4/3) = (√2)²/√3.

Many temperaments naturally produce intervals that split ~3/2, ~2 or ~4/3 exactly in half and can thus be interpreted as neutral thirds, semioctaves or semifourths within the temperament.

An important property of edos > 1 is that they must by necessity include at least one of the notable hemipyth intervals:

  • Either the edo is even and it features at least √2 (which is tuned "pure" when the octave is tuned pure).
  • Or one of the following is true:
    • The closest approximation to 3/2 spans an even number of edosteps (leading to an approximation to √(3/2))
    • The closest approximation to 4/3 spans an even number of edosteps (leading to an approximation to √(4/3))
List of edo mappings with full or partial hemipyth support
Edo (warts) Has √2 Has √(3/2) Has √(4/3)
2 yes no no
3 no yes no
4 yes yes yes
5 no no yes
6 yes yes yes
7 no yes no
8 yes no no
9 no no yes
10 yes yes yes
11 no yes no
12 yes no no
13 no yes no
13b no no yes