SeventeenTonePianoProject
IMPORTED REVISION FROM WIKISPACES
This is an imported revision from Wikispaces. The revision metadata is included below for reference:
- This revision was by author xenjacob and made on 2006-07-01 16:06:32 UTC.
- The original revision id was 827392.
- The revision comment was: pictures now in!
The revision contents are below, presented both in the original Wikispaces Wikitext format, and in HTML exactly as Wikispaces rendered it.
Original Wikitext content:
===**The Seventeen-Tone Piano Project involves tuning two acoustic pianos in seventeen equal tones per octave and then playing music on them.**=== Two pianos, located at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music (Houston, Texas), are tuned to 17-EDO. Why? How? I'm a student there, and they're very nice. The music made so far has included some pieces and improvisations by Rice composers, some of which were featured on a concert on April 29 2006. Some recordings from a later session are available [[http://www.archive.org/details/seventeenTPP_01|over here]]. The current phase of the 17-tPP consists of a **CALL FOR SCORES.** This means you (perhaps)! If you have written or would like to write a piece for 17-tone pianos, now is your chance! Pieces can be for between one and four hands on the pianos, and possibly one or two additional instrumentalists that Rice has available (inquire if curious). If you write a piece, I don't see how it wouldn't be played unless you made it really hard AND we hated it. The point is, this doesn't need to be so much of a competition because the perceived demand is so low. There are no restrictions on eligibility; all sentient creatures are invited. ** **First, write a piece of music. Make sure you have an idea of how it will sound; that should be an important criterion in the creation. See below for technical assistance. The deadline for submissions is **Sunday** **August 27 2006**, but let me know you're thinking of submitting something. Prepare a score and get it to me. Email PDF files to udderbot at gmail dot com, or send paper scores to 17 tone piano project c/o Jacob Barton 9 Sunset Blvd. MS-709 Houston, TX 77005 Then real live musicians will learn the music and there'll be a **CONCERT** on **Tuesday September 26 2006**. It'll be recorded. Heck, might even be webcast live. The point is, it won't end there. ===**Links...**=== [[http://www.georghajdu.de/Compositions/HeptadecatonicDrops/Heptadeca.html|Remnants of a 17-tone piano and electronics project about 16 years ago]] There are a few pieces available on the internet in 17: some 6 MIDI files by [[http://www.angelfire.com/mo/oljare/midicomp.html|Mats Öljare]] (search for "17tet"), [[http://www.io.com/%7Ehmiller/midi/transformation.mid|Herman Miller's "Transformation"]], and three improvisations by [[http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=122613|Andrew Heathwaite]] (search for "17tet"). And one by [[http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=141776&songID=1342075|XJ Scott]]. ===**Music theory through the eyes of the 17 Tone Piano Project:**=== 17-tone equal tuning has fifths very close to just-intonation (and 12-equal) fifths. Consequently we use the usual circle-of-fifths on a five-line-staff notation, with a twist of new enharmonics, caused by the accumulation of the difference in the size of the fifth. To figure out the enharmonic names of any closed circle of fifths, write out a portion of it, like: Cb Gb Db Ab Eb Bb F C G D A E B F# C# G# D# A# E# and then wrap it into a circle of the desired size (image forthcoming!). If you do this with 17, you will notice that Cb = A#...that's how big the value of "flat/sharp" is in 17. The closer two notes are in the circle, the more familiar to us their harmonic function. [[image:17fifths]] The lines across indicate five fifths = "minor second" = 1/17 of an octave. Now we can order them ascendingly: [[image:17versus12names]] Note that C# is HIGHER than Db; note that none of the intervals save the octave/unison are exactly the same as in 12. Note that The "half step"/"minor second" in 17 is twice as small as the "augmented unison"/"sharp"/"flat." Two sharp/flats add up to a minor third. Two "neutral thirds" add up to a "perfect fifth." These last two properties are shared with 24-equal (quartertones). If the old notation is bothering you, here it is in cents (hundredths of a 12-equal half step):[[image:17versus12cents]] and in pitch/interval classes: [[image:17versus12pcs]] ===**Piano tuning and performable scores.**=== Following the circle-of-fifths naming system for 17, the white keys of both pianos are tuned identically, to the (notated) C major scale. The pian called "flat" has black keys tuned to Db Eb Gb Ab Bb; the one called "sharp" has C# D# F# G# A#. This way we get 7+5+5 = 17 notes. In scores with separate staves for each piano, it is not necessary to spell chords with these distinctions; notating intervals in their most common appearance is recommended, e.g. "Eb to C on the sharp piano" rather than "D# to C." The pianos (baby grands, did I mention playing inside the piano is OK?) will be set up at a right angle, with flats on the left, sharps on the right, close enough that one person could play on both keyboards. DISCLAIMER: the 17-tone piano project is in no way affiliated with Rice University. it is not even an official Shepherd School of Music event, not being a senior or junior or masters or doctoral or faculty-sponsored recital. heck, it could completely fall through. but don't let that stop you. ===**Questions? Click "edit" at the top of page, and add from here.**===
Original HTML content:
<html><head><title>SeventeenTonePianoProject</title></head><body><!-- ws:start:WikiTextHeadingRule:0:<h3> --><h3 id="toc0"><a name="x--The Seventeen-Tone Piano Project involves tuning two acoustic pianos in seventeen equal tones per octave and then playing music on them."></a><!-- ws:end:WikiTextHeadingRule:0 --><strong>The Seventeen-Tone Piano Project involves tuning two acoustic pianos in seventeen equal tones per octave and then playing music on them.</strong></h3> <br /> Two pianos, located at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music (Houston, Texas), are tuned to 17-EDO. Why? How? I'm a student there, and they're very nice.<br /> <br /> The music made so far has included some pieces and improvisations by Rice composers, some of which were featured on a concert on April 29 2006. Some recordings from a later session are available <a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.archive.org/details/seventeenTPP_01" rel="nofollow">over here</a>.<br /> <br /> The current phase of the 17-tPP consists of a <strong>CALL FOR SCORES.</strong> This means you (perhaps)! If you have written or would like to write a piece for 17-tone pianos, now is your chance! Pieces can be for between one and four hands on the pianos, and possibly one or two additional instrumentalists that Rice has available (inquire if curious).<br /> <br /> If you write a piece, I don't see how it wouldn't be played unless you made it really hard AND we hated it. The point is, this doesn't need to be so much of a competition because the perceived demand is so low. There are no restrictions on eligibility; all sentient creatures are invited.<br /> <strong><br /> </strong>First, write a piece of music. Make sure you have an idea of how it will sound; that should be an important criterion in the creation. See below for technical assistance.<br /> <br /> The deadline for submissions is <strong>Sunday</strong> <strong>August 27 2006</strong>, but let me know you're thinking of submitting something. Prepare a score and get it to me. Email PDF files to udderbot at gmail dot com, or send paper scores to<br /> <br /> 17 tone piano project<br /> c/o Jacob Barton<br /> 9 Sunset Blvd. MS-709<br /> Houston, TX 77005<br /> <br /> Then real live musicians will learn the music and there'll be a <strong>CONCERT</strong> on <strong>Tuesday September 26 2006</strong>. It'll be recorded. Heck, might even be webcast live. The point is, it won't end there.<br /> <br /> <!-- ws:start:WikiTextHeadingRule:2:<h3> --><h3 id="toc1"><a name="x--Links..."></a><!-- ws:end:WikiTextHeadingRule:2 --><strong>Links...</strong></h3> <a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.georghajdu.de/Compositions/HeptadecatonicDrops/Heptadeca.html" rel="nofollow">Remnants of a 17-tone piano and electronics project about 16 years ago</a><br /> There are a few pieces available on the internet in 17: some 6 MIDI files by <a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.angelfire.com/mo/oljare/midicomp.html" rel="nofollow">Mats Öljare</a> (search for "17tet"), <a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.io.com/%7Ehmiller/midi/transformation.mid" rel="nofollow">Herman Miller's "Transformation"</a>, and three improvisations by <a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=122613" rel="nofollow">Andrew Heathwaite</a> (search for "17tet"). And one by <a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=141776&songID=1342075" rel="nofollow">XJ Scott</a>.<br /> <br /> <!-- ws:start:WikiTextHeadingRule:4:<h3> --><h3 id="toc2"><a name="x--Music theory through the eyes of the 17 Tone Piano Project:"></a><!-- ws:end:WikiTextHeadingRule:4 --><strong>Music theory through the eyes of the 17 Tone Piano Project:</strong></h3> 17-tone equal tuning has fifths very close to just-intonation (and 12-equal) fifths. Consequently we use the usual circle-of-fifths on a five-line-staff notation, with a twist of new enharmonics, caused by the accumulation of the difference in the size of the fifth. To figure out the enharmonic names of any closed circle of fifths, write out a portion of it, like:<br /> <br /> Cb Gb Db Ab Eb Bb F C G D A E B F# C# G# D# A# E#<br /> <br /> and then wrap it into a circle of the desired size (image forthcoming!). If you do this with 17, you will notice that Cb = A#...that's how big the value of "flat/sharp" is in 17. The closer two notes are in the circle, the more familiar to us their harmonic function.<br /> <br /> <!-- ws:start:WikiTextLocalImageRule:10:<img src="/file/view/17fifths/30122064/17fifths" alt="" title="" /> --><img src="/file/view/17fifths/30122064/17fifths" alt="17fifths" title="17fifths" /><!-- ws:end:WikiTextLocalImageRule:10 --><br /> The lines across indicate five fifths = "minor second" = 1/17 of an octave. Now we can order them ascendingly:<br /> <!-- ws:start:WikiTextLocalImageRule:11:<img src="/file/view/17versus12names/30122065/17versus12names" alt="" title="" /> --><img src="/file/view/17versus12names/30122065/17versus12names" alt="17versus12names" title="17versus12names" /><!-- ws:end:WikiTextLocalImageRule:11 --><br /> <br /> Note that C# is HIGHER than Db; note that none of the intervals save the octave/unison are exactly the same as in 12. Note that The "half step"/"minor second" in 17 is twice as small as the "augmented unison"/"sharp"/"flat." Two sharp/flats add up to a minor third. Two "neutral thirds" add up to a "perfect fifth." These last two properties are shared with 24-equal (quartertones).<br /> <br /> If the old notation is bothering you, here it is in cents (hundredths of a 12-equal half step):<!-- ws:start:WikiTextLocalImageRule:12:<img src="/file/view/17versus12cents/30122071/17versus12cents" alt="" title="" /> --><img src="/file/view/17versus12cents/30122071/17versus12cents" alt="17versus12cents" title="17versus12cents" /><!-- ws:end:WikiTextLocalImageRule:12 --><br /> and in pitch/interval classes:<br /> <!-- ws:start:WikiTextLocalImageRule:13:<img src="/file/view/17versus12pcs/30122074/17versus12pcs" alt="" title="" /> --><img src="/file/view/17versus12pcs/30122074/17versus12pcs" alt="17versus12pcs" title="17versus12pcs" /><!-- ws:end:WikiTextLocalImageRule:13 --><br /> <br /> <!-- ws:start:WikiTextHeadingRule:6:<h3> --><h3 id="toc3"><a name="x--Piano tuning and performable scores."></a><!-- ws:end:WikiTextHeadingRule:6 --><strong>Piano tuning and performable scores.</strong></h3> Following the circle-of-fifths naming system for 17, the white keys of both pianos are tuned identically, to the (notated) C major scale. The pian called "flat" has black keys tuned to Db Eb Gb Ab Bb; the one called "sharp" has C# D# F# G# A#. This way we get 7+5+5 = 17 notes.<br /> <br /> In scores with separate staves for each piano, it is not necessary to spell chords with these distinctions; notating intervals in their most common appearance is recommended, e.g. "Eb to C on the sharp piano" rather than "D# to C."<br /> <br /> The pianos (baby grands, did I mention playing inside the piano is OK?) will be set up at a right angle, with flats on the left, sharps on the right, close enough that one person could play on both keyboards.<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER: the 17-tone piano project is in no way affiliated with Rice University. it is not even an official Shepherd School of Music event, not being a senior or junior or masters or doctoral or faculty-sponsored recital. heck, it could completely fall through. but don't let that stop you.<br /> <br /> <!-- ws:start:WikiTextHeadingRule:8:<h3> --><h3 id="toc4"><a name="x--Questions? Click "edit" at the top of page, and add from here."></a><!-- ws:end:WikiTextHeadingRule:8 --><strong>Questions? Click "edit" at the top of page, and add from here.</strong></h3> </body></html>