Hemipyth
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))
| 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 |