Functional systems
The functional systems are defined by Osmium as a way to categorize intervals. The basic premise of the functional systems is defining interval classes that are ambiguous between more basic interval classes.
The 50-function system
A starting point: The 12-form
Even outside of 12edo, the 12-form is a common harmonic structure, found in 3-limit and 5-limit chromatic scales, which influences the human perception of intervals.
| Function | Type | Interval region | Rough center |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | integer | unison | 0c |
| sp | - | comma | 10c |
| 0.3 | - | diesis | 33c |
| 0.5 | ambitonal | quarter-tone | 50c |
| 0.7 | semiambitonal | subminor second | 67c |
| 1 | integer | semitone | 100c |
| 1.3 | semiambitonal | supraminor second | 133c |
| 1.5 | ambitonal | neutral second | 150c |
| 1.7 | semiambitonal | submajor second | 167c |
| 2 | integer | major second | 200c |
| 2.3 | semiambitonal | supramajor second | 233c |
| 2.5 | ambitonal | second-third | 250c |
| 2.7 | semiambitonal | subminor third | 267c |
| 3 | integer | minor third | 300c |
| 3.3 | semiambitonal | supraminor third | 333c |
| 3.5 | ambitonal | neutral third | 350c |
| 3.7 | semiambitonal | submajor third | 367c |
| 4 | integer | major third | 400c |
| 4.3 | semiambitonal | supermajor third | 435c |
| 4.5 | ambitonal | third-fourth | 460c |
| 4.7 | semiambitonal | subfourth | 475c |
| 5 | integer | perfect fourth | 500c |
| 5.3 | semiambitonal | superfourth | 533c |
| 5.5 | ambitonal | neutral fourth | 550c |
| 5.7 | semiambitonal | subtritone | 567c |
| 6 | integer | tritone | 600c |