Pergen
Overwhelmed? See TallKite.com/misc_files/notation guide for rank-2 pergens.pdf for practical notation examples.
See also: Rank-2 temperaments by mapping of 3
Definition
A pergen (pronounced "peer-gen") is a way of classifying a regular temperament solely by its period and generator(s). For any temperament, there are many possible periods and generators. For the pergen, they are chosen to use the fewest, and smallest, prime factors possible. Fractions are allowed, e.g. half-octave, but avoided if possible.
If a rank-2 temperament uses the primes 2 and 3 in its comma(s), or in its prime subgroup (i.e. doesn't explicitly exclude the octave or the fifth), then the period can be expressed as the octave 2/1, or some fraction of an octave. Furthermore, the generator can usually be expressed as some 3-limit interval, or some fraction of such an interval. Both fractions are always of the form 1/N, thus the octave and/or the 3-limit interval is split into N parts. The interval which is split into multiple generators is the multigen. The 3-limit multigen is referred to not by its ratio but by its conventional name, e.g. P5, M6, m7, etc.
For example, the Srutal temperament (2.3.5 and 2048/2025) splits the octave in two, and its spoken pergen name is half-octave. The pergen is written (P8/2, P5). Not only the temperament, but also the comma is said to split the octave. The Dicot aka Yoyo temperament (2.3.5 and 25/24) splits the fifth in two, and is called half-fifth, written (P8, P5/2). Porcupine aka Triyo is third-fourth, or perhaps third-of-a-fourth, (P8, P4/3). Semaphore aka Zozo, a pun on "semi-fourth", is of course half-fourth.
Many temperaments share the same pergen. This has the advantage of reducing the thousands of temperament names to a few dozen categories. It focuses on the melodic properties of the temperament, not the harmonic properties. MOS scales in both Srutal aka Sagugu and Injera aka Gu & Biruyo sound the same, although they temper out different commas. In addition, the pergen tells us how to notate the temperament using ups and downs (^ and v). See the notation guide below, under Supplemental materials. Ups and downs are also used in EDO notation to represent one edostep. Although the symbol is the same, the meaning is different.
The largest category contains all single-comma rank-2 temperaments with a comma of the form 2x 3y P or 2x 3y P-1, where P is a prime > 3 (a higher prime), e.g. 81/80 or 135/128. It also includes all commas in which the higher-prime exponents are setwise coprime. The period is the octave, and the generator is the fifth: (P8, P5). Such temperaments are called unsplit.
Every temperament has at least one alternate generator, and more, if the octave is split. To avoid ambiguity, the generator is chosen to minimize the amount of splitting of the multigen, and as a tie-breaker, to minimize the size in cents of the multigen. There is only one exception to this rule: the fifth is preferred over the fourth, to follow historical precedent.
For example, Srutal could be (P8/2, M2/2), but P5 is preferred because it is unsplit. Or it could be (P8/2, P12), but P5 is preferred because it is smaller. Or it could be (P8/2, P4), but P5 is always preferred over P4. Note that P5/2 is not preferred over P4/2. For example, Decimal is (P8/2, P4/2), not (P8/2, P5/2).
| pergen | example temperaments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| written | spoken | comma(s) | name | color name | |
| (P8, P5) | unsplit | 81/80 | Meantone | Gu | gT |
| " | " | 64/63 | Archy | Ru | rT |
| " | " | (-14,8,1) | Schismic | Layo | LyT |
| (P8/2, P5) | half-8ve | (11, -4, -2) | Srutal | Sagugu | sggT |
| " | " | 81/80, 50/49 | Injera | Gu & Biruyo | g&rryyT |
| (P8, P5/2) | half-5th | 25/24 | Dicot | Yoyo | yyT |
| " | " | (-1,5,0,0,-2) | Mohajira | Lulu | 1uuT |
| (P8, P4/2) | half-4th | 49/48 | Semaphore | Zozo | zzT |
| (P8/2, P4/2) | half-everything | 25/24, 49/48 | Decimal | Yoyo & Zozo | yy&zzT |
| (P8, P4/3) | third-4th | 250/243 | Porcupine | Triyo | y3T |
| (P8, P11/3) | third-11th | (12,-1,0,0,-3) | Satrilu | Satrilu | s1u3T |
| (P8/4, P5) | quarter-8ve | (3,4,-4) | Diminished | Quadgu | g4T |
| (P8/2, M2/4) | half-8ve quarter-tone | (-17,2,0,0,4) | Laquadlo | Laquadlo | L1o4T |
| (P8, P12/5) | fifth-12th | (-10,-1,5) | Magic | Laquinyo | Ly5T |
(P8/2, P4/2) is called half-everything because the fifth is also split in half, and since every 3-limit interval can be expressed as the sum/difference of octaves and fifths, every single 3-limit interval is also split in half.
The multigen is usually some voicing of the 4th or 5th, but can be any 3-limit interval, as in the second to last example. The color name indicates the amount of splitting: bi- splits something into two parts, tri- into three parts, etc. For a comma with monzo (a,b,c,d...), the color depth is GCD (c,d...).
Rank-3 pergens have three intervals, period, gen1 and gen2, any or all of which may be split. The pergen always uses at least one higher prime. Color notation (or any HEWM notation) can be used to indicate higher primes. Monzos of the form (a,b,1) = yo, (a,b,-1) = gu, (a,b,0,1) = zo, (a,b,0,-1) = ru, (a,b,0,0,1) = lo/ilo, (a,b,0,0,-1) = lu, and (a,b) = wa. Examples: 5/4 = y3 = yo 3rd, 7/5 = zg5 = zogu 5th, etc.
For example, Marvel aka Ruyoyo (2.3.5.7 and 225/224) has an unsplit pergen of (P8, P5, y3). But colors can be replaced with ups and downs, to be higher-prime-agnostic. Here, gen2 can be reduced to g1 = 81/80. Since 81/80 maps to a perfect unison, it can be notated by an up symbol, and we have (P8, P5, ^1) = rank-3 unsplit.
More examples: Trizogu (2.3.5.7 with 1029/1000 tempered out) is (P8, P11/3, ^1) = rank-3 third-11th. Biruyo (2.3.5.7 and 50/49) is (P8/2, P5, ^1) = rank-3 half-8ve (^1 = 81/80). However, Biruyo Nowa (2.5.7 and 50/49) is (P8/2, M3) = half-8ve, major 3rd.
A rank-4 temperament has a pergen of four intervals, rank-5 has five intervals, etc. A rank-1 temperament could have a pergen of one, such as (P8/12) for 12-edo or (P12/13) for 13-ed3, but there's no particular reason to do so. In fact, edos and edonois are simply rank-1 pergens, and what the concept of edos or edonois does for rank-1 temperaments, the concept of pergens does for temperaments of rank 2 or higher.
In keeping with the higher-prime-agnostic nature of pergens, untempered just intonation has a pergen of the octave, the fifth, and a list of commas, each containing only one higher prime. The higher prime's exponent in the comma's monzo must be ±1, i.e. the color depth must be 1. Furthermore, the comma should map to P1, e.g. 81/80 or 64/63. The commas are notated with microtonal accidentals: (P8, P5, ^1, /1,...).
Derivation
For any comma, let m = the GCD of all the monzo's exponents other than the 2-exponent, and let n = the GCD of all its higher-prime exponents, where GCD (0,x) = x. The comma will split the octave into m parts, and if n > m, it will split some 3-limit interval into n parts.
In a multi-comma rank-2 or higher temperament, it's possible that one comma will contain only the 1st and 2nd primes, and the 2nd prime is directly related to the 1st prime, i.e. it is the period or a multiple of it. Such a prime is dependent on a lower prime. If this happens, the multigen must use the 1st and 3rd primes. If the 3rd prime is also dependent, the 4th prime is used, and so forth. In other words, the multigen uses the first two independent primes.
For example, consider Sawa & Ruyoyo (2.3.5.7 with commas 256/243 and 225/224). The first comma splits the octave into 5 parts, and makes the 5th be exactly 3/5 of the octave. The pergen is (P8/5, ^1), the same as Blackwood (see multi-EDO pergens below).
To find a temperament's pergen, first find the period-generator mapping. This is a matrix with a column for each prime in the subgroup, and a row for each period/generator. Not all such mappings will work, the matrix must be in row echelon form. Graham Breed's website has a temperament finder x31eq.com/temper/uv.html that will find such a matrix, it's the reduced mapping. Next make a square mapping by discarding columns, usually the columns for the highest primes. But lower primes that are dependent need to be discarded, as in the previous (P8/5, ^1) example, to ensure that the diagonal has no zeros. Lower primes may also be discarded to minimize splitting, see the Breedsmic example below. Then invert the matrix to get the monzos for each period/generator. Add/subtract periods from the generator to get alternate generators. If the interval becomes descending, invert it. For rank-3, add/subtract both periods and generators from the 2nd generator to get more alternates. Choose among the alternates to minimize the splitting and the cents.
For rank-2, we can compute the pergen directly from the square matrix = [(x y), (0, z)]. Let the pergen be (P8/m, M/n), where M is the multigen, P is the period P8/m, and G is the generator M/n.
2/1 = P8 = x·P, thus P = P8/x
3/1 = P12 = y·P + z·G, thus G = [P12 - y·(P8/x)] / z = [-y·P8 + x·P12] / xz = (-y, x) / xz
M's 3-limit monzo is (-y, x), or (y, -x) if z is negative. To get alternate generators, add i periods to G, with i ranging from -x (subtracting a full octave) to +x (adding a full octave).
G' = G + i·P = (-y, x) / xz + i·P8/x = (i·z - y, x) / xz
The rank-2 pergen from the [(x, y), (0, z)] square mapping is (P8/x, (i·z-y,x)/xz), with |i| <= x
A corollary of this formula is that if the octave is unsplit, the multigen is some voicing of the fifth, i.e. some perfect interval. Imperfect multigens like M2 or m3 are fairly rare. Less than 4% of all pergens have an imperfect multigen.
For example, Porcupine aka Triyo (2.3.5 and 250/243) has a mapping [(1, 2, 3) (0, -3, -5)] and a square mapping of [(1, 2) (0, -3)]. The pergen is (P8/1, (-3i-2,1)/(-3)) = (P8, (3i+2,-1)/3), with -1 <= i <= 1. No value of i reduces the fraction, so the best multigen is the one with the least cents, (2,-1) = P4. The pergen is (P8, P4/3).
Rank-3 pergens are trickier to find. For example, Breedsmic aka Bizozogu is 2.3.5.7 with 2401/2400 = (-5,-1,-2,4) tempered out. x31.com gives us this matrix:
| 2/1 | 3/1 | 5/1 | 7/1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| period | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| gen1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| gen2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Thus 2/1 = P, 3/1 = P + 2·G1, 5/1 = P + G1 + 2·G2, and 7/1 = 2·P + G1 + G2. Discard the last column to make a square matrix with zeros below the diagonal, and no zeros on the diagonal:
| 2/1 | 3/1 | 5/1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| period | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| gen1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| gen2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Use an online tool to invert it. Here "/4" means that each entry is to be divided by the determinant of the last matrix, which is 4.
| period | gen1 | gen2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/1 | 4 | -2 | -1 | |
| 3/1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | |
| 5/1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | /4 |
Thus the period = (4,0,0) / 4 = 2/1= P8, gen1 = (-2,2,0) / 4 = (-1,1,0) / 2 = P5/2, and gen2 = (-1,-1,2) / 4 = (25:6)/4.
Next, search for alternate generators. Add/subtract the period 2/1 from gen1. Since the multigen P5 is split in half, one multigen equals two gens, and adding an octave to the gen adds a double octave to the multigen. The alternate gens are P11/2 and P19/2, both of which are much larger, so the best gen1 is P5/2.
The 2nd multigen is split into quarters, so we must add/subtract quadruple periods and generators to it. Subtracting a quadruple octave and inverting makes gen2 be (5,1,-2)/4 = (96:25)/4. The multigen is a diminished double octave. A quadruple half-5th is a double 5th is a M9. Subtracting that makes gen2 be (128:75)/4, quarter-dim-7th. Subtracting M9 again, and inverting again, makes gen2 = (-9,3,2)/4 = (675:512)/4, quarter-aug-3rd. As gen2's cents become smaller, the odd limit becomes greater, the intervals remain obscure, and the notation remains awkward.
Fortunately, there is a better way. Discard the 3rd column instead, and keep the 4th one:
| 2/1 | 3/1 | 7/1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| period | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| gen1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| gen2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
This inverts to this matrix:
| period | gen1 | gen2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/1 | 2 | -1 | -3 | |
| 3/1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | |
| 7/1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | /2 |
Again, period = P8 and gen1 = P5/2. Gen2 = (-3,-1,2)/2. To add gen1 to gen2, add a double gen1 to the 2nd multigen. A double half-5th is a 5th = (-1,1,0), and this gives us (-4,0,2)/2 = (-2,0,1) = 7/4. The fraction disappears, the multigen becomes the gen, and we can add/subtract the period and the gen1 directly. Subtracting an octave and inverting makes gen2 = 8/7. Adding an octave and subtracting 4 half-5ths makes 64/63. The pergen is (P8, P5/2, /1) with /1 = 64/63, rank-3 half-5th. This is far better than (P8, P5/2, (96:25)/4).
The pergen sometimes uses a larger prime in place of a smaller one in order to avoid splitting gen2, but only if the smaller prime is > 3. In other words, the first priority is to have as few higher primes (colors) as possible, next to have as few fractions as possible, finally to have the higher primes be as small as possible. Using 7 instead of 5 in the pergen is very common for rank-3. See User:TallKite/Catalog of eleven-limit rank three temperaments with Color names for more examples.
Applications
Pergens allow for a systematic exploration of all posible rank-2 tunings, potentially identifying new musical resources.
Another obvious application is to categorize regular temperaments in a logical, consistent manner, avoiding the need to memorize many arbitrary names. Many temperaments have pergen-like names: Hemififths is (P8, P5/2), Semihemi is (P8/2, P4/2), Triforce is (P8/3, P4/2), both Tetracot and Semihemififths are (P8, P5/4), Fourfives is (P8/4, P5/5), Pental is (P8/5, P5), and Fifive is (P8/2, P5/5). Pergen names are an improvement over these because they specify more exactly what is split. Some temperament names are what might be called a pseudo-pergen, either because it contains more than 2 primes, or because the split multigen isn't actually a generator. For example, Sensei, or Semisixth, implies a pseudo-pergen (P8, (5/3)/2) that contains 3 primes. Meantone (mean = average, tone = major 2nd) implies a pseudo-pergen (P8, (5/4)/2), only 2 primes, but the tone isn't a generator.
Pergens group many temperaments into one category, which has its advantages and its disadvantages. Some temperament names also do this, for example Porcupine refers to not only 2.3.5 with 250/243, but also 2.3.5.7 with 250/243 and 64/63. Color names are the only type of name that never does this. The first Porcupine is Triyo, and the second one is Triyo & Ru. Together, the pergen name and the color name supply a lot of information. The pergen name indicates the melodic possibilities in a higher-primes-agnostic manner, and the color name indicates the harmonic possibilities: the prime subgroup, and what types of chord progressions it supports. Both names indicate the rank, the pergen name more directly.
Pergens can also be used to notate rank-2 scales, e.g. (P8, P4/3) [7] = third-4th heptatonic is a higher-primes-agnostic name for the Porcupine [7] scale. As long as the 5th is tuned fairly accurately, any two temperaments that have the same pergen tend to have the same MOS scales. See Chord names and scale names below.
The final main application, which the rest of this article will focus on, is that pergens allow a systematic approach to notating regular temperaments, without having to examine each of the thousands of individual temperaments. The discussion mostly focuses on rank-2 temperaments that include primes 2 and 3.
All unsplit temperaments can be notated identically. They require only conventional notation: 7 nominals, plus sharps and flats. All other rank-2 temperaments require an additional pair of accidentals, ups and downs. Certain rank-2 temperaments require another additional pair, lifts and drops, written / and \. v\D is down-drop D, and /5 is a lift-fifth. Alternatively, color accidentals (y, g, r, z, 1o, 1u, etc.) could be used. However, this constrains a pergen to a specific temperament. For example, both Mohajira aka Lulu and Dicot aka Yoyo are (P8, P5/2). Using y and g implies Dicot, using 1o and 1u implies Mohajira, but using ^ and v implies neither, and is a more general notation.
One can avoid additional accidentals for all rank-1 and rank-2 tunings (but not rank-3 or higher ones) by sacrificing backwards compatibility with conventional notation, which is octave-equivalent, fifth-generated and heptatonic. Porcupine can be notated without ups and downs if the notation is 2nd-generated. Half-octave can be notated decatonically. However, one would sacrifice the interval arithmetic and staff notation one has spent years internalizing, and naming chords becomes impossible. The sacrifice is too great to take lightly, and all notation used here is backwards compatible.
Analogous to 22-edo, sometimes additional accidentals aren't needed, but are desirable, to avoid misspelled chords. For example, Schismic aka Layo is unsplit and can be notated conventionally. But this causes 4:5:6 to be spelled not as stacked thirds but as C Fb G. With ^1 = 81/80, the chord can be spelled properly as C vE G. See Notating unsplit pergens below.
Not all combinations of periods and generators are valid. Some are duplicates of other pergens. (P8/2, M2/2) is actually (P8/2, P5). Some combinations are impossible. There is no (P8, M2/2), because no combination of periods and generators equals P5.
Below is a table that lists all the rank-2 pergens that contain primes 2 and 3, up to third-splits. They are grouped into blocks by the size of the larger splitting fraction, and grouped within each block into sections by the smaller fraction. Most sections have two halves. In the first half, the octave has the larger fraction, in the second, the multigen does. Within each half, the pergens are sorted by multigen size. This is a convenient lexicographical ordering of rank-2 pergens that enables one to easily look up a pergen in a notation guide. It even allows every pergen to be numbered.
The enharmonic interval, or more briefly the enharmonic or the EI, can be added to or subtracted from any note (or interval), renaming it, but not changing the pitch of the note (or width of the interval). It's analogous to the dim 2nd in 12-edo, which equates C# with Db, and A4 with d5. In a single-comma temperament, the comma usually maps to the pergen's enharmonic. The pergen and the enharmonic together define the notation. (Edited to add: not quite accurate, see the Addenda.)
The genchain (chain of generators) in the table is only a short section of the full genchain.
C - G implies ...Eb Bb F C G D A E B F# C#...C - ^Eb=vE - G implies ...F -- ^Ab=vA -- C -- ^Eb=vE -- G -- ^Bb=vB -- D...
If the octave is split, the table has a perchain ("peer-chain", chain of periods) that shows the octave: C -- vF#=^Gb -- C. Genchains have a theoretically infinite length, but perchains have a finite length. The full rank-2 lattice has genchains running horizontally and perchains running vertically.
| pergen | enharmonic
interval(s) |
equivalence(s) | split
interval(s) |
perchain(s) and/or
genchains(s) |
examples | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (P8, P5)
unsplit |
none | none | none | C - G | Pythagorean, Meantone, Dominant,
Schismic, Mavila, Archy, etc. |
| half-splits | ||||||
| 2 | (P8/2, P5)
half-8ve |
^^d2 (if 5th
> 700¢ |
^^C = B# | P8/2 = vA4 = ^d5 | C - vF#=^Gb - C | Srutal aka Sagugu
^1 = 81/80 |
| " | vvd2 (if 5th
< 700¢) |
^^C = Db | P8/2 = ^A4 = vd5 | C - ^F#=vGb - C | Injera aka Gu & Biruyo
^1 = 64/63 | |
| " | vvM2 | ^^C = D | P8/2 = ^4 = v5 | C - ^F=vG - C | Thotho, if 13/8 = M6
^1 = 27/26 | |
| 3 | (P8, P4/2)
half-4th |
vvm2 | ^^C = Db | P4/2 = ^M2 = vm3 | C - ^D=vEb - F | Semaphore aka Zozo
^1 = 64/63 |
| " | ^^dd2 | ^^C = B## | P4/2 = vA2 = ^d3 | C - vD#=^Ebb - F | Lala-yoyo
^1 = 81/80 | |
| 4 | (P8, P5/2)
half-5th |
vvA1 | ^^C = C# | P5/2 = ^m3 = vM3 | C - ^Eb=vE - G | Mohajira aka Lulu
^1 = 33/32 |
| 5 | (P8/2, P4/2)
half- everything |
\\m2,
vvA1, ^^\\d2, vv\\M2 |
//C = Db
^^C = C# ^^//C = D |
P4/2 = /M2 = \m3
P5/2 = ^m3 = vM3 P8/2 = v/A4 = ^\d5 = ^/4 = v\5 |
C - /D=\Eb - F,
C - ^Eb=vE - G, C - v/F#=^\Gb - C, C - ^/F=v\G - C |
Zozo & Lulu
^1 = 33/32 /1 = 64/63 |
| " | ^^d2,
\\m2, vv\\A1 |
^^ C= B#
//C = Db ^^//C = C# |
P8/2 = vA4 = ^d5
P4/2 = /M2 = \m3 P5/2 = ^/m3 = v\M3 |
C - vF#=^Gb - C,
C - /D=\Eb - F, C - ^/Eb=v\E - G |
Sagugu & Zozo
^1 = 81/80 /1 = 64/63 | |
| " | ^^d2,
\\A1, ^^\\m2 |
^^C = B#
//C = C# ^^\\C = B |
P8/2 = vA4 = ^d5
P5/2 = /m3 = \M3 P4/2 =v/M2 = ^\m3 |
C - vF#=^Gb - C,
C - /Eb=\E - G, C - v/D=^\Eb - F |
Sagugu & Lulu
^1 = 81/80 /1 = 33/32 | |
| third-splits | ||||||
| 6 | (P8/3, P5)
third-8ve |
^3d2 | ^3C = B# | P8/3 = vM3 = ^^d4 | C - vE - ^Ab - C | Augmented aka Trigu
^1 = 81/80 |
| 7 | (P8, P4/3)
third-4th |
v3A1 | ^3C = C# | P4/3 = vM2 = ^^m2 | C - vD - ^Eb - F | Porcupine aka Triyo
^1 = 81/80 |
| 8 | (P8, P5/3)
third-5th |
v3m2 | ^3C = Db | P5/3 = ^M2 = vvm3 | C - ^D - vF - G | Slendric aka Latrizo
^1 = 64/63 |
| 9 | (P8, P11/3)
third-11th |
^3dd2 | ^3C = B## | P11/3 = vA4 = ^^dd5 | C - vF# - ^Cb - F | Satrilu, if 11/8 = A4
^1 = 729/704 |
| " | v3M2 | ^3C = D | P11/3 = ^4 = vv5 | C - ^F - vC - F | Satrilu, if 11/8 = P4
^1 = 33/32 | |
| 10 | (P8/3, P4/2)
third-8ve, half-4th |
v6A2 | ^6C = D# | P8/3 = ^^m3 = v4A4
P4/2 = ^3m2 = v3M3 |
C - ^^Eb - vvA - C
C - ^3Db=v3E - F |
Tribilo, if 11/8 = P4
^1 = 33/32 |
| " | ^3d2,
\\m2 |
^3C = B#
//C = Db |
P8/3 = vM3 = ^^d4
P4/2 = /M2 = \m3 |
C - vE - ^Ab - C
C - /D=\Eb - F |
Triforce aka Trigu & Zozo
^1 = 81/80, /1 = 64/63 | |
| 11 | (P8/3, P5/2)
third-8ve, half-5th |
^3d2
\\A1 |
^3C = B#
//C = C# |
P8/3 = vM3 = ^^d4
P5/2 = /m3 = \M3 |
C - vE - ^Ab - C
C - /Eb=\E - G |
Satribizo
^1 = 49/48, /1 = 343/324 |
| 12 | (P8/2, P4/3)
half-8ve, third-4th |
^^d2
\3A1 |
^^C = Dbb
/3C = C# |
P8/2 = vA4 = ^d5
P4/3 = \M2 = //m2 |
C - vF#=^Gb - C
C - \D - /Eb - F |
Latribiru
^1 = 1029/1024, /1 = 49/48 |
| 13 | (P8/2, P5/3)
half-8ve, third-5th |
^6d32 | ^6C = B#3 | P8/2 = v3AA4 = ^3dd5
P5/3 = vvA2 = ^4dd3 |
C - v3Fx=^3Gbb C
C - vvD# - ^^Fb - G |
Lartribiyo
^1 = 81/80 |
| " | ^^d2,
\3m2 |
^^C = B#
/3C = Db |
P8/2 = vA4 = ^d5
P5/3 = /M2 = \\m3 |
C - vF#=^Gb - C
C - /D - \F - G |
Lemba aka Latrizo & Biruyo
^1 = (10,-6,1,-1), /1 = 64/63 | |
| 14 | (P8/2, P11/3)
half-8ve, third-11th |
v6M2 | ^6C = D | P8/2 = ^34 = v35
P11/3 = ^^4 = v45 |
C - ^3F=v3G - C
C - ^^F - vvC - F |
Latribilo, if 11/8 = P4
^1 = 33/32 |
| 15 | (P8/3, P4/3)
third- everything |
v3d2,
\3A1 |
^3C = Dbb
/3C = C# |
P8/3 = ^M3 = vvd4
P4/3 = \M2 = //m2 P5/3 = v/M2 |
C - ^E - vAb - C
C - \D - /Eb - F C - v/D - ^\F - G |
Triyo & Triru
^1 = 64/63 /1 = 81/80 |
| " | ^3d2,
\3m2 |
^3C = B#
/3C = Db |
P8/3 = vM3 = ^^d4
P5/3 = /M2 = \\m3 P4/3 = v\M2 |
C - vE - ^Ab - C
C - /D - \F - G C - v\D - ^/Eb - F |
Trigu & Latrizo
^1 = 81/80 /1 = 64/63 | |
| " | v3A1,
\3m2 |
^3C = C#
/3C = Db |
P4/3 = vM2 = ^^m2
P5/3 = /M2 = \\m3 P8/3 = v/M3 |
C - vD - ^Eb - F
C - /D - \F - G C - v/E - ^\Ab - C |
Triyo & Latrizo
^1 = 81/80 /1 = 64/63 | |
| quarter-splits | ||||||
| 16 | (P8/4, P5) | ^4d2 | ^4C = B# | P8/4 = vm3 = ^3A2 | C vEb vvGb=^^F# ^A C | Diminished aka Quadgu |
| 17 | (P8, P4/4) | ^4dd2 | ^4C = B## | P4/4 = ^m2 = v3AA1 | C ^Db ^^Ebb=vvD# vE F | Negri aka Laquadyo |
| 18 | (P8, P5/4) | v4A1 | ^4C = C# | P5/4 = vM2 = ^3m2 | C vD vvE=^^Eb ^F G | Tetracot aka Saquadyo |
| 19 | (P8, P11/4) | v4dd3 | ^4C = Eb3 | P11/4 = ^M3 = v3dd5 | C ^E ^^G# vDb F | Squares aka Laquadru |
| 20 | (P8, P12/4) | v4m2 | ^4C = Db | P12/4 = v4 = ^3M3 | C vF vvBb=^^A ^D G | Vulture aka Sasa-quadyo |
| etc. |
The disadvantage to the lexicographical ordering above is that more complex pergens are listed before simpler ones, e.g. half-8ve third-5th before quarter-5th. However, the former can arise from two simple commas, so arguably it isn't particularly complex.
Some pergens are not very musically useful. (P8/2, P11/3) has a period of about 600¢ and a generator of about 566¢, or equivalently 34¢. The generator is much smaller than the period, and MOS scales will have a very lopsided L/s ratio. (P8/3, P5/2) is almost as lopsided (P = 400¢, G = 50¢).
Tipping points
Removing the ups and downs from an enharmonic interval makes an uninflected enharmonic, a conventional 3-limit interval which vanishes in certain edos. For example, (P8/2, P5)'s enharmonic interval is ^^d2, the uninflected enharmonic is d2, and d2 vanishes in 12-edo. Every rank-2 temperament has a "sweet spot" for tuning the 5th, usually a narrow range of about 5-10¢. 12-edo's fifth is the "tipping point": if the temperament's 5th is flatter than 12-edo's, d2 is ascending, and if it's sharper, it's descending. The ups and downs are meant to indicate that the enharmonic interval vanishes. Thus if d2 is ascending, it should be downed, and if it's descending, upped. Therefore up may need to be swapped with down, depending on the size of the 5th in the particular rank-2 tuning you are using. In the above table, this is shown explicitly for (P8/2, P5), and implied for all the other pergens. In the table, the other pergens' enharmonic intervals are upped or downed as if the 5th were just.
Heptatonic 5th-based notation is only possible if the 5th ranges from 600¢ to 720¢. For every uninflected enharmonic, the following table shows in what parts of this range this interval should be upped or downed. The tipping point edo is simply the 3-exponent of the uninflected enharmonic.
| uninflected EI | 3-exponent | tipping
point edo |
edo's 5th | upping range | downing range | if the 5th is just | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M2 | C - D | 2 | 2-edo | 600¢ | none | all | downed |
| m3 | C - Eb | -3 | 3-edo | 800¢ | none | all | downed |
| m2 | C - Db | -5 | 5-edo | 720¢ | none | all | downed |
| A1 | C - C# | 7 | 7-edo | ~686¢ | 600-686¢ | 686¢-720¢ | downed |
| d2 | C - Dbb | -12 | 12-edo | 700¢ | 700-720¢ | 600-700¢ | upped |
| dd3 | C - Eb3 | -17 | 17-edo | ~706¢ | 706-720¢ | 600-706¢ | downed |
| dd2 | C - Db3 | -19 | 19-edo | ~695¢ | 695-720¢ | 600-695¢ | upped |
| d34 | C - Fb3 | -22 | 22-edo | ~709¢ | 709-720¢ | 600-709¢ | downed |
| d32 | C - Db4 | -26 | 26-edo | ~692¢ | 692-720¢ | 600-692¢ | upped |
| d44 | C - Fb4 | -29 | 29-edo | ~703¢ | 703-720¢ | 600-703¢ | downed |
| d43 | C - Eb5 | -31 | 31-edo | ~697¢ | 697-720¢ | 600-697¢ | upped |
| etc. | |||||||
Further Discussion
Naming very large intervals
So far, the largest multigen has been a 12th. As the multigen fractions get bigger, the multigen can get quite large. To avoid cumbersome degree names like 16th or 22nd, for degrees above 12, adding an 8ve is indicated by "c" for compound (a conventional music theory term). Thus 10/3 = cM6 = compound major 6th, 9/2 = ccM2 or cM9, etc. For a pergen with an unsplit octave, the multigen is always some voicing of the fifth that is less than n/2 octaves. For (P8, M/6), the multigen M is less than 3 octaves, and can be P4, P5, P11, P12, ccP4 or ccP5. The last one can be spoken as "coco-fifth". Tripe compound can be spoken as "trico".
Secondary splits
Besides the octave and/or multigen, a pergen splits many other 3-limit intervals as well. The composer can use these secondary splits to create melodies with equal-sized steps. For example, third-4th (e.g. Porcupine aka Triyo) splits intervals other than the 4th into three parts. Of course, many 3-limit intervals split into three parts even when untempered, e.g. A4 = 3·M2. The interval's monzo (a,b) must have both a and b divisible by 3. The third-4th pergen furthermore splits any interval which is the sum or difference of the 4th and the triple 8ve ccP8. Stacking 4ths gives these intervals: P4, m7, m10, cm6, cm9... The last two are too large to be of any use melodically. Subtracting 4ths from the triple 8ve gives ccP8, ccP5, cM9, cM6, M10, M7, A4... The first four are too large, this leaves us with:
P4/3: C - vD - ^Eb - F
A4:/3 C - D - E - F# (the lack of ups and downs indicates that this interval was already split into 3 parts)
m7/3: C - ^Eb - vG - Bb (because m7 is already split into halves, we also have m7/6: C - vD - ^Eb - F - vG - ^Ab - Bb)
M7/3: C - vE - ^G - B
m10/3: C - F - Bb - Eb (m10 is already split into 3 parts, thus m10/9 also occurs)
M10/3: C - ^F - vB - E
Of course, an equal-step melody can span other intervals besides 3-limit ones. Simply extend or cut short the earlier examples to find other melodies:
^m3/2: C - vD - ^Eb (^m3 = 6/5)
^m6/5: C - vD - ^Eb - F - vG - ^Ab (^m6 = 8/5)
vm9/4: C - ^Eb - vG - Bb - ^Db (vm9 = 32/15)
vM7/2: C - ^F - vB (vM7 = 15/8, probably more harmonious than M7 = 243/128)
More remote intervals include A1, d4, d7 and d10. These unfortunately require a very long genchain. The most interesting melodically is A1: C - ^C - vC# - C#. From C to C# is seven 5ths, which equals 21 generators, so the genchain would have to contain 22 notes if it had no gaps. Note that A1 is the uninflected enharmonic of third-4th. The uninflected enharmonic is always a secondary split.
For a pergen (P8, (a,b)/n), any interval generated by n octaves and the multigen splits into at least n parts. For a pergen (P8/m, P5), any interval generated by the octave and m 5ths splits into at least m parts. Thus any naturally occurring split of m parts occurs in all voicings of that interval. For example, M9 naturally splits into two 5ths, therefore (P8/2, P5) splits all voicings of M9, including M2.
Given a pergen (P8/m, (a,b)/n), an interval (a',b') splits into GCD ((a'·b - a·b')·m/b, b'·n/b) parts (proof below). For an unsplit pergen, we have the naturally occurring split of GCD (a', b'). If only the 8ve is split, we have GCD (a'·m, b'). If m = n (an nth-everything pergen), we have n·GCD (a',b'). If the enharmonic is an A1, every interval with a degree of n+1 will be split. Thus half-5th splits every 3rd, 5th, 7th , 9th, etc. in half. "Every" means every quality, so 3rd includes d3, m3, M3 and A3, 5th includes P5, A5 and d5, etc.
The following table shows the secondary splits for all pergens up to the third-splits. A split interval is only included if it falls in the range from d5 to A5 on the genchain of 5ths, others are too remote. For convenience, naturally occurring splits are listed too, under "all pergens". (P8/3, P4/2) has all the secondary splits that (P8/3, P5) and (P8, P4/2) have, plus additional ones.
| pergen | secondary splits of a 12th or less | |
|---|---|---|
| all pergens | M3/2, A4/3, d5/2, A5/4, m7/2, M9/2, m10/3, A11/2 | |
| half-splits | ||
| (P8/2, P5) | half-8ve | M2/2, M3/4, A4/6, A5/8, m6/2, M10/2, d12/2, A12/2 |
| (P8, P4/2) | half-4th | m2/2, M6/2, m7/4, A8/2, m10/6, A11/4, P12/2 |
| (P8, P5/2) | half-5th | A1/2, m3/2, M7/2, m9/2, P11/2 |
| (P8/2, P4/2) | half-everything | every 3-limit interval is split twice as much as before |
| third-splits | ||
| (P8/3, P5) | third-8ve | m3/3, M6/3, d5/6, A11/3, d12/3 |
| (P8, P4/3) | third-4th | A1/3, m7/6, M7/3, m10/9, M10/3 |
| (P8, P5/3) | third-5th | m2/3, m6/3, M9/6, A8/3, A12/3 |
| (P8, P11/3) | third-11th | M2/3, M3/6, A4/9, A5/12, m9/3, P12/3 |
| (P8/3, P4/2) | third-8ve half-4th | third-8ve splits, half-4th splits, M6/6, m10/6, A11/12 |
| (P8/3, P5/2) | third-8ve half-5th | third-8ve splits, half-5th splits, m3/6, d5/12 |
| (P8/2, P4/3) | half-8ve third-4th | half-8ve splits, third-4th splits, A4/6, M10/6 |
| (P8/2, P5/3) | half-8ve third-5th | half-8ve splits, third-5th splits, m6/6, M9/6, A12/6 |
| (P8/2, P11/3) | half-8ve third-11th | half-8ve splits, third-11th splits, M2/6, M3/12, A4/18, A5/24 |
| (P83, P4/3) | third-everything | every 3-limit interval is split three times as much as before |
Singles and doubles
If a pergen has only one fraction, like (P8/2, P5) or (P8, P4/3), the pergen is a single-split pergen. If it has two fractions, it's a double-split pergen. A single-split pergen can result from tempering out only a single comma, although it can be created by multiple commas. A single-split pergen can be notated with only ups and downs, called single-pair notation because it adds only a single pair of accidentals to conventional notation. Double-pair notation uses both ups/downs and lifts/drops. In general, single-pair notation is preferred, because it's simpler. However, double-pair notation may be preferred, especially if the enharmonic for single-pair notation is a 3rd or larger, or if single-pair notation requires using quadruple, quintuple, etc. ups and downs.
In this article, for double-pair notation, the period uses ups and downs, and the generator uses lifts and drops. But the choice of which pair of accidentals is used for what is arbitrary, and ups/downs could be exchanged with lifts/drops.
Every double-split pergen is either a true double or a false double. A true double, like third-everything (P8/3, P4/3) or half-8ve quarter-4th (P8/2, P4/4), can only arise when at least two commas are tempered out, and requires double pair notation. A false double, like half-8ve quarter-tone (P8/2, M2/4), can arise from a single comma, and can be notated with single pair notation. Thus a false double behaves like a single-split, and is easier to construct and easier to notate. In a false double, the multigen split automatically splits the octave as well: if M2 = 4·G, then P8 = M9 - M2 = 2⋅P5 - 4·G = (P5 - 2·G) / 2. In general, if a pergen's multigen is (a,b), the octave is split into at least |b| parts.
A pergen (P8/m, (a,b)/n) is a false double if and only if GCD (m,n) = |b|. The next section discusses an alternate test.
Finding an example temperament
To find an example of a temperament with a specific pergen, we must find the comma(s) the temperament tempers out. To construct a comma that creates a single-split pergen, find a ratio for P or G that contains only one higher prime, with color depth of 1 (i.e. exponent of ±1), of appropriate cents to add up to approximately the octave or the multigen. The comma is the difference between the stacked ratios and the larger interval. For example, (P8/4, P5) requires a P of about 300¢. The comma is the difference between 4⋅P and P8. If P is 6/5, the comma is 4⋅P - P8 = (6/5)4 ÷ (2/1) = 648/625, the diminished temperament. If P is 7/6, the comma is P8 - 4⋅P = (2/1) · (7/6)-4, the Quadru temperament. Neither 13/11 nor 32/27 would work for P, too many and too few higher primes respectively.
Another method: if the generator's cents are known, look on the genchain for an interval that approximates a ratio of color depth ±1. Let the interval be I, and the genspan of this interval be x. Then n⋅x gens = n⋅I = x⋅M, where M is the multigen and M/n is the generator. The comma can be found from this equation, if n and x are coprime. For example, suppose (P8, P5/5) has G = 140¢. The genchain is all multiples of 140¢. Looking at the cents, 280¢ is about 7/6. Thus 2G = 7/6, and 10G = 5⋅(7/6) = 2⋅P5. Thus 2⋅P5 - 5⋅(7/6) = 0G = 0¢, and the comma is (3, 7, 0, -5). If the period is split and the generator isn't, use the perchain instead of the genchain. For example, (P8/7, P5) has a period of 141¢. 2 gens = 343¢, about 11/9. Thus 7⋅(11/9) = 2⋅P8, and the comma is (-2, -14, 0, 0, 7), Saseplo.
If the pergen's notation is known, an even easier method is to simply assume that the up symbol equals a comma that maps to P1, such as 81/80 or 64/63 (see mapping commas in the next section). Thus for (P8/4, P5), if P = vm3, and ^1 = 64/63, P is 32/27 ÷ 64/63 = 7/6. This method is notation-dependent: (P8/2, P5) with P = vA4 and ^1 = 81/80 gives P = 45/32, but if P = ^4, then P = 27/20.
Finding the comma(s) for a double-split pergen is trickier. As previously noted, if a pergen's multigen is (a,b), the octave is split into at least |b| parts. Therefore if a pergen (P8/m, (a,b)/n) has m = |b|, it is explicitly false. If so, proceed as if the octave were unsplit: (P8/2, M2/4) requires G ~ 50¢, perhaps 33/32, and the comma is 4⋅G - M2 = (33/32)^4 / (9/8) = (-17, 2, 0, 0, 4).
If the pergen is not explicitly false, put the pergen in its unreduced form, which is always explicitly false if the pergen is a false double. The unreduced form replaces the generator with the difference between the period and the generator: (P8/m, M/n) becomes (P8/m, P8/m - M/n) = (P8/m, (n⋅P8 - m⋅M)/nm) = (P8/m, M'/n'). The new multigen M' is the product of the original pergen's outer elements (P8 and n) minus the product of the inner elements (m and M), divided by the product of the fractions (m and n). Invert M' if descending (if P < G), and simplify if m and n aren't coprime. M' will have a larger fraction and/or a larger size in cents, hence the name unreduced.
For example, (P8/3, P5/2) is a false double that isn't explicitly false. Its unreduced generator is (2⋅P8 - 3⋅P5) / (3⋅2) = m3/6, and the unreduced pergen is (P8/3, m3/6). This is explicitly false, thus the comma can be found from m3/6 alone. G' is about 50¢, and the comma is 6⋅G' - m3. The comma splits both the octave and the fifth.
This suggests an alternate true/false test: if neither the pergen nor the unreduced pergen is explicitly false, the pergen is a true double. For example, (P8/4, P4/2) isn't explicitly false. The unreduced pergen is (P8/4, M2/4), which also isn't explicitly false, thus (P8/4, P4/2) is a true double. It requires two commas, one for each fraction. The two commas must use different higher primes, e.g. 648/625 and 49/48. Thus true doubles require commas of at least 7-limit, whereas false doubles require only 5-limit. To summarize:
- A double-split pergen is explicitly false if m = |b|, and not explicitly false if m > |b|.
- A double-split pergen is a true double if and only if neither it nor its unreduced form is explicitly false.
- A double-split pergen is a true double if GCD (m, n) > |b|, and a false double if GCD (m, n) = |b|.
A false double pergen's temperament can also be constructed from two commas, as if it were a true double. For example, (P8/3, P4/2) results from 128/125 and 49/48, which split the octave and the 4th respectively.
Unreducing replaces the generator with an alternate generator. Any number of periods plus or minus a single generator makes an alternate generator. A generator or period plus or minus any number of enharmonics makes an equivalent generator or period. An equivalent generator is always the same size in cents, since the enharmonic is always 0¢. An equivalent generator is the same interval, merely notated differently. For example: (P8, P5/2) has generator ^m3 and equivalent generator vM3. Another example, half-8ve (P8/2, P5) has period vA4 and equivalent period ^d5. It has generator P5 and alternate generators P4 and vA1. vA1 is equivalent to ^m2.
Of the two equivalent generators, the preferred generator is always the smaller one (smaller degree, or if the degrees are the same, more diminished). This is because the equivalent generator can be more easily found by adding the enharmonic, rather than subtracting it. For example, ^m3 + vvA1 = vM3 is an easier calculation than vM3 - vvA1 = ^m3. This is particularly true with complex enharmonics like ^6dd2.
There are also alternate enharmonics, see below. For double-pair notation, there are also equivalent enharmonics.
Ratio and cents of the accidentals
The sharp symbol's ratio is always (-11,7) = 2187/2048, by definition. Looking at the table in the Applications section, and the ratios that the up symbol equals, only a few commas account for most entries. For most 5-limit temperaments, ^1 = 81/80. For most 2.3.7 temperaments, ^1 = 64/63. Most 2.3.11 temperaments use either 33/32 or 729/704. These are all mapping commas, which is a comma of the form 2x · 3y · P±1, where P is a higher prime. They are called mapping commas because they equate or map P/1 to a 3-limit interval. They are essential for notation, and also for determining where a ratio is placed on a keyboard. Potential mapping commas for prime 5 include 81/80, 135/128, and the schisma = Ly-2 = 2¢. Only one of these at a time is actually used in notation, e.g. 5/4 is either a M3 or a m3 or a d4. By definition the currently employed mapping comma is a P1, and the only intervals that map to P1 (besides 1/1 of course) are the currently employed commas and combinations of them.
If a single-comma temperament uses double-pair notation, neither accidental will equal the mapping comma. A double-comma temperament using double-pair notation may use the difference between two mapping commas, as in Lemba aka Latrizo & Biruyo, where ^1 equals 64/63 minus 81/80.
Sometimes the mapping comma needs to be inverted. In every temperament except those in the meantone family, the 81/80 comma is not tempered out, but it is still tempered, just like every ratio. Occasionally 81/80 is tempered so far that it becomes a descending interval. In diminished, which sets 6/5 = P8/4, ^1 = 80/81. See also multi-EDO pergens pergens below.
Cents can be assigned to each accidental symbol, even if no specific commas are specified. Let c = the cents of the tuning's 5th from 700¢, the 12edo 5th. Thus P5 = 700¢ + c. From this we can calculate the cents of any 3-limit interval. The sharp always equals A1 = 100¢ + 7c. Since the enharmonic = 0¢, we can derive the cents of the up symbol. If the enharmonic is vvA1, then vvA1 = 0¢, and ^1 = (A1)/2 = (100¢ + 7c)/2 = 50¢ + 3.5c. If the 5th is 696¢, c = -4 and the up symbol equals 36¢. /1 can be similarly derived from its enharmonic.
In certain edos, the up symbol's cents can be directly related to the sharp's cents. For example, in 15edo, ^ is 1/3 the cents of #. The same can be done for rank-2 pergens if and only if the enharmonic is an A1.
This suggests a simple format for describing the tuning at the top of the score: the name of the tuning, perhaps the cents of the 5th, and the cents of any accidental pairs used, rounded off to the nearest integer. This gives the musician, who may not be well-versed in microtonal theory, basic information for playing the score. Examples:
- 15-edo: # = 240¢, ^ = 80¢ (^ = third-sharp)
- 16-edo: # = -75¢
- 17-edo: # = 141¢, ^ = 71¢ (^ = half-sharp)
- 18b-edo: # = -133¢, ^ = 67¢ (^ = half-sharp)
- 19-edo: # = 63¢
- 21-edo: ^ = 57¢ (if used, # = 0¢)
- 22-edo: # = 164¢, ^ = 55¢ (^ = third-sharp)
- quarter-comma Meantone: # = 76¢
- fifth-comma Meantone: # = 84¢
- third-comma Archy aka Ru: # = 177¢
- eighth-comma Porcupine aka Triyo: # = 157¢, ^ = 52¢ (^ = third-sharp)
- seventh-comma Srutal aka Sagugu & Zoquadyo: # = 139¢, ^ = 33¢ (no fixed relationship between ^ and #, seventh-comma means 1/7 of 2048/2025)
- third-comma Injera aka Gu & Biruyo: # = 63¢, ^ = 31¢ (no fixed relationship between ^ and #, third-comma means 1/3 of 81/80)
- eighth-comma Hedgehog aka Triyo & Biruyo: # = 157¢, ^ = 49¢, / = 52¢ (/ = 1/3 #, eighth-comma means 1/8 of 250/243)
The last five examples are a generalization of the practice of naming meantone tunings as a fraction of a comma, e.g. quarter-comma. The 5th is sharpened or flattened by some fraction of the first comma in the color name. While the best tuning of a specific temperament is found by minimizing the mistuning of certain ratios, the best tuning of a general pergen is less obvious. Both Srutal and Injera are half-8ve, but their optimal tunings are very different.
Finding a notation for a pergen
There are multiple notations for a given pergen, depending on the enharmonic interval(s). Preferably, the enharmonic's degree will be a unison or a 2nd, because equating two notes a 3rd or 4th apart is very disconcerting. If it's a unison, it will always be an A1. (P1 would be pointless, d1 would be inverted to A1, and AA1 would be split into two A1's.) If it's a 2nd, preferably it will be a m2 or a d2 or a dd2, and not a M2 or an A2 or a ddd2. There is an easy method for finding such a pergen, if one exists. First, some terminology and basic concepts:
- For (P8/m, M/n), P8 = mP + xEI and M = nG + yEI', with 0 < |x| <= m/2 and 0 < |y| <= n/2
- x is the count for EI, with EI occurring x times in one octave, and xEI is the octave's multi-enharmonic, or multi-EI for short
- y is the count for EI', with EI' occurring y times in one multigen, and yEI' is the multigen's multi-EI
- For false doubles using single-pair notation, EI = EI', but x and y are usually different, making different multi-enharmonics
- The unreduced pergen is (P8/m, M'/n'), with a new enharmonic EI" and new counts, P8 = mP + x'EI", and M' = n'G' + y'EI"
The keyspan of an interval is the number of keys or frets or semitones that the interval spans in 12-edo. Most musicians know that a minor 2nd is one key or fret and a major 2nd is two keys or frets. The keyspans of larger intervals aren't as well known. The concept can easily be expanded to other edos, but we'll assume 12-edo for now. The stepspan of an interval is simply the degree minus one. M2, m2, A2 and d2 all have a stepspan of 1. P5, d5 and A5 all have stepspan 4. The stepspan can be thought of as the 7-edo keyspan. This concept can be expanded to include pentatonicism, octotonicism, etc., but we'll assume heptatonicism for now.
Every 3-limit interval can be uniquely expressed as the combination of a keyspan and a stepspan. This combination is called a gedra, analogous to a monzo, but written in brackets not parentheses: 3/2 = (-1,1) is a 7-semitone 5th, thus (-1,1) = [7,4]. 9/8 = (-3,2) = [2,1] = a 2-semitone 1-step interval. The octave 2/1 = [12,7]. For any 3-limit interval with a monzo (a,b), there is a unique gedra [k,s], and vice versa:
- k = 12a + 19b
- s = 7a + 11b
The matrix [(12,19) (7,11)] is unimodular, and can be inverted, and (a,b) can be derived from [k,s]:
- a = -11k + 19s
- b = 7k - 12s
Gedras can be manipulated exactly like monzos. Just as adding two intervals (a,b) and (a',b') gives us (a+a',b+b'), likewise [k,s] added to [k',s'] equals [k+k',s+s']. If the GCD of a and b is n, then (a,b) is a stack of n identical intervals, with (a,b) = (na', nb') = n(a',b'), and if (a,b) is converted to [k,s], then the GCD of k and s is also n, and [k,s] = [nk',ns'] = n[k',s'].
Gedras greatly facilitate finding a pergen's period, generator and enharmonic(s). A given fraction of a given 3-limit interval can be approximated by simply dividing the keyspan and stepspan directly, and rounding off. This approximation will usually produce an enharmonic interval with the smallest possible keyspan and stepspan, which is the best enharmonic for notational purposes. As noted above, the smaller of two equivalent periods or generators is preferred, so fractions of the form N/2 should be rounded down, not up.
For example, consider the half-5th pergen. P5 = [7,4], and half a 5th is approximately [round(7/2), round (4/2)] = [3,2] = m3. The enharmonic can also be found using gedras: xEI = M - n⋅G = P5 - 2⋅m3 = [7,4] - 2⋅[3,2] = [7,4] - [6,4] = [1,0] = A1.
Next, consider (P8/5, P5). P = [12,7]/5 = [2,1] = M2. xEI = P8 - mP = P8 - 5⋅M2 = [12,7] - 5⋅[2,1] = [2,2] = 2⋅[1,1] = 2⋅m2. Because x = 2, EI will occur twice in the perchain, even thought the comma only occurs once (i.e. the comma = 2⋅m2 = d3). The enharmonic's count is 2. The uninflected enharmonic is m2, which must be downed to vanish. The number of downs equals the splitting fraction, thus EI = v5m2. Since P8 = 5⋅P + 2⋅EI, the period must be ^^M2, to make the ups and downs come out even. The number of the period's (or generator's) ups or downs always equals the count. Equipped with the period and the enharmonic, the perchain is easily found:
P1 -- ^^M2=v3m3 -- v4 -- ^5 -- ^3M6=vvm7 -- P8 C -- ^^D=v3Eb -- vF -- ^G -- ^3A=vvBb -- C
Most single-split pergens are dealt with similarly. For example, (P8, P4/5) has an uninflected generator [5,3]/5 = [1,1] = m2. The uninflected enharmonic is P4 - 5⋅m2 = [5,3] - 5⋅[1,1] = [5,3] - [5,5] = [0,-2] = -2⋅[0,1] = two descending d2's. The d2 must be upped, and EI = ^5d2. Since P4 = 5⋅G - 2⋅EI, G must be ^^m2. The genchain is:
P1 -- ^^m2=v3A1 -- vM2 -- ^m3 -- ^3d4=vvM3 -- P4C -- ^^Db -- vD -- ^Eb -- vvE -- F
To find the single-pair notation for a false double pergen, find an explicitly false form of the pergen, and find the generator and enharmonic from the fractional multigen as before. Then deduce the period from the enharmonic. If the multigen was changed by unreducing, find the original generator from the period and the alternate generator.
For example, (P8/5, P4/2) isn't explicitly false, so we must unreduce it to (P8/5, m2/10). The uninflected alternate generator G' is [1,1]/10 = [0,0] = P1. The uninflected enharmonic is m2 - 10⋅P1 = m2. It must be downed, thus EI = v10m2. Since m2 = 10⋅G' + EI, G' is ^1. The octave plus or minus some number of enharmonics must equal 5 periods, thus (P8 + x⋅m2) must be divisible by 5, and ([12,7] + x[1,1]) mod 5 must be 0. The smallest (least absolute value) x that satisfies this equation is -2, and P8 = 5⋅P + 2⋅EI, and P = ^4M2. Next, find the original half-4th generator. P = P8/5 = ~240¢, and G = P4/2 = ~250¢. Because P < G, G' is not P - G but G - P, and G is not P - G' but P + G', which equals ^4M2 + ^1 = ^5M2. While the alternate multigen is more complex than the original multigen, the alternate generator is usually simpler than the original generator.
P1- - ^4M2=v6m3 -- vv4 -- ^^5 -- ^6M6=v4m7 -- P8 C -- ^4D=v6Eb -- vvF -- ^^G -- ^6A=v4Bb -- C P1 -- ^5M2=v5m3 -- P4 C -- ^5D=v5Eb -- F
To find the double-pair notation for a true double pergen, find each pair from each half of the pergen. Each pair has its own enharmonic. For (P8/2, P4/2), the split octave implies P = vA4 and EI = ^^d2, and the split 4th implies G = /M2 and EI' = \\m2.
A false-double pergen can optionally use double-pair notation, which is found as if it were a true double. Double-pair notation is often preferable when the single-pair enharmonic is not a unison or a 2nd, as with (P8/2, P4/3).
Even single-split pergens may benefit from double-pair notation. For example, (P8, P11/4) has an enharmonic that's a 3rd: P11/4 = [17,10]/4 = [4,2] = M3, and P11 - 4⋅M3 = [1,2] = dd3. So EI = v4dd3, and G = ^M3. But by using double-pair notation, we can avoid that. We find P11/2, which equals two generators: P11/2 = 2⋅G = [17,10]/2 = [8,5] = m6. The uninflected enharmonic is P11 - 2⋅m6 = [1,0] = A1. For this second enharmonic, we use the second pair of accidentals: EI' = \\A1 and 2⋅G = /m6 or \M6. The sum or difference of two enharmonic intervals is also an enharmonic: EI + EI' = v4\\d3 = 2·vv\m2, and EI - EI' = v4//ddd3 = 2·vv/d2. Thus vv\m2 and vv/d2 are equivalent enharmonics, and v\4 and v/d4 are equivalent generators. Here is the genchain:
P1 -- ^M3=v\4 -- /m6=\M6 -- ^/8=vm9 -- P11 C -- ^E=v\F -- /Ab=\A -- ^/C=vDb -- F
One might think with (P8/3, P11/4), that one pair would be needed to split the octave, and another two pairs to split the 11th, making three in all. But only two pairs are needed. First unreduce to get (P8/3, m3/12). m3/12 is the alternate generator G'. We have [3,2]/12 = [0,0] = P1, and G' = ^1 and EI = v12m3. Next find 4·G' = m3/3 = [3,2]/3 = [1,1] = m2. Next, the uninflected enharmonic: m3 - 3·m2 = [0,-1] = descending d2. Thus EI' = /3d2, and 4·G' = /m2. The period can be deduced from 4·G': P8/3 = (m10 - m3)/3 = (m10)/3 - 4·G' = P4 - /m2 = \M3. From the unreducing, we know that G - P = P11/4 - P8/3 = m3/12, so G = P11/4 = P8/3 + m3/12 = \M3 + ^1 = ^\M3. Equivalent enharmonics are found from EI + EI' and EI - 2·EI'. Equivalent periods and generators are found from the many enharmonics, which also allow much freedom in chord spelling. Enharmonic = v12m3 = /3d2 = v4/m2 = v4\\A1. Period = \M3 = v44 = //d4. Generator = ^\M3 = v34 = ^//d4.
P1 — \M3 — \\A5=/m6 — P8C — \E — /Ab — CP1 — ^\M3 — ^^\\A5=^^/m6=vv\M6 — ^38=v/m9 — P11 C — ^\E — ^^/Ab=vv\A — v/Db — F
It's not yet known if every pergen can avoid large enharmonics (those of a 3rd or more) with double-pair notation. One situation in which very large enharmonics occur is the "half-step glitch". This is when the stepspan of the multigen is half (or a third, a quarter, etc.) of the multigen's splitting fraction. For example, in sixth-4th, six generators must cover three scale steps, and each one must cover a half-step. Each generator is either a unison or a 2nd, which causes the enharmonic's stepspan to equal the multigen's stepspan.
Sixth-4th with single-pair notation has an awkward ^6d64 enharmonic. This pergen might result from combining third-4th and half-4th (e.g. tempering out both the Porcupine and Semaphore commas, aka Triyo & Zozo), and its double-pair notation can also combine both. Third-4th has EI = v3A1 and G'= vM2 = ^^m2. Half-4th has EI' = \\m2 and G' = /M2 = \m3. G' - G = P4/2 - P4/3 = P4/6. Thus the sixth-4th generator is G' - G = /M2 - vM2 = ^/1. Equivalent enharmonics are v3\\M2 and ^3\\d2.
P1 — ^/1=^\m2 — ^^m2=vM2 — /M2=\m3 — ^m3=vvM3 — v/M3=v\4 — P4 C — ^/C=^\Db — ^^Db=vD — /D=\Eb — ^Eb=vvE — v/E=v\F — F
When ups and downs are used to notate edos, a third symbol is used, a mid , written ~. The mid is only for relative notation (intervals), never for absolute notation (notes). For imperfect intervals, the mid interval is the interval exactly midway between major and minor. In addition, the mid-4th is midway between perfect and augmented, i.e. half-augmented, and the mid-5th is half-diminished. For example, 17edo's 2nds and 3rds run minor-mid-major. This avoids having to constantly choose between the equivalent terms upminor and downmajor. 72edo's 2nds and 3rds run minor, upminor, downmid, mid, upmid, downmajor, major. This makes the terms more concise. Mids can be used in pergen notation too. For single-pair, EI must be an A1, with an even number of downs. Using mids with double-pair notation is trickier. Mids never appear in the perchain. If one accidental pair appears only in the perchain and the other pair only in the genchain, then the mids appear only in the genchain, if at all.
Alternate enharmonics
Sometimes the enharmonic found by rounding off the gedra can be greatly improved by rounding off differently. For example, (P8/3, P4/4) unreduces to (P8/3, ccM6/12), a false double. The uninflected alternate generator is ccM6/12 = [33,19]/12 = [3,2] = m3. The uninflected enharmonic is [33,19] - 12·[3,2] = [-3,-5] = a quintuple-diminished 6th! This would make for a very confusing notation. However, [33,19]/12 can be rounded very inaccurately all the way up to [4,2] = M3. The enharmonic becomes [33,19] - 12·[4,2] = [-15,-5] = -5·[3,1] = -5·v12A2, which is an improvement but still awkward. The period is ^4m3 and the generator is v3M2. ^1 = 25¢ + 0.75·c, about an eighth-tone.
P1 -- ^4m3 -- v4M6 -- P8 C -- ^4Eb -- v4A -- C P1 -- v3M2 -- v6M3=^6m2 -- ^3m3 -- P4 C -- v3D -- v6E=^6Db -- ^3Eb -- F
Because G is a M2 and EI is an A2, the equivalent generator G - EI is a descending A1. Ascending intervals that look descending can be confusing, one has to take into account the eighth-tone ups to see that v3D -- ^6Db is ascending. Double-pair notation may be preferable. This makes P = vM3, EI = ^3d2, G = /m2, and EI' = /4dd2.
P1 -- vM3 -- ^m6 -- P8 C -- vE -- ^Ab -- C P1 -- /m2 -- //d3=\\A2 -- \M3 -- P4 C -- /Db -- //Ebb=\\D# -- \E -- F
Because the enharmonic found by rounding off the gedra is only an estimate that may need to be revised, there isn't any point to using gedras with something other than 12-edo keyspans, like 5edo or 19edo. Heptatonic stepspans are best because conventional notation is heptatonic, and we want to minimize the heptatonic stepspan of the enharmonic.
To search for alternate enharmonics, convert EI to a gedra, then multiply it by the count to get the multi-EI (multi-enharmonic). The count is always the number of ups or downs in the generator (or period). The count is positive only if G (or P) is upped and EI is downed, or vice versa. Add or subtract the splitting fraction n (or m) to/from either half of the gedra as desired to get a new multi-EI. If the stepspan becomes negative, or if it's zero and the keyspan becomes negative, invert the gedra. If the two halves of the new gedra have a common factor, simplify the gedra by this factor, which becomes the new count. Convert the simplified gedra to a 3-limit interval. Add n (or m) ups or downs, this is the new EI. Choose between ups and downs according to whether the 5th falls in the enharmonic's upping or downing range, see tipping points above. Add n·count ups or downs to the new multi-EI. Add or subtract the new multi-EI from the multigen (or the octave) to get an interval which splits cleanly into n (or m) parts. Each part is the new generator (or period).
For example, (P8, P5/3) has n = 3, G = ^M2, and EI = v3m2 = [1,1]. G is upped only once, so the count is 1, and the multi-EI is also [1,1]. Subtract n from the gedra's keyspan to make a new multi-EI [-2,1]. This can't be simplified, so the new EI is also [-2,1] = d32. Assuming a reasonably just 5th, EI needs to be upped, so EI = ^3d32. Add the multi-EI ^3[-2,1] to the multigen P5 = [7,4] to get ^3[5,3]. This isn't divisible by n, so we must subtract instead: [7,4] - ^3[-2,1] = v3[9,3] = 3·v[3,1], and G = vA2. Use the equation M = n·G + y·EI to check: 3·vA2 + 1·^3d32 = 3·M2 + 1·m2 = P5. (Diminish three A2's once and augment one d32 three times.) Here are the genchains: P1 -- vA2=^^dd3 -- ^d4 -- P5 and C -- vD# -- ^Fb -- G. Because d32 = -200¢ - 26·c, ^ = (-d32) / 3 = 67¢ + 8.67·c, about a third-tone.
Approaching pergens in a higher-primes-agnostic way, independently of specific commas or temperaments, one enharmonic (and one notation) will usually be obviously superior. But sometimes the temperament being notated implies a certain enharmonic. Specifically, the comma tempered out should map to EI, or the multi-EI if the count is > 1. For example, consider Semaphore aka Zozo (2.3.7 and 49/48), which is half-4th. Assuming 7/4 is a m7, the comma is a m2, and a vvm2 enharmonic makes sense. G = ^M2 and the genchain is C -- ^D=vEb -- F. But consider Lala-yoyo, which tempers out (-22, 11, 2). This temperament is also half-4th. The comma is a descending dd2, thus EI = ^^dd2, G = vA2, and the genchain is C -- vD#=^Ebb -- F. This is the best notation because the (-10, 5, 1) generator is an augmented 2nd.
Of course, the 2nd comma is much more obscure than 49/48, and much harder to pump. Most half-4th commas are in fact minor 2nds, and the vvm2 enharmonic is indeed a superior notation. But there is another situation in which alternate harmonics arise. There is no consensus on how to map primes 11 and 13 to the 3-limit. 11/8 can be either P4 or A4, and 13/8 can be either m6 or M6. The choice can affect the choice of enharmonic.
For example, Satrilu tempers out (12,-1,0,0,-3) from 2.3.11, making a third-11th pergen. The generator is 11/8. If 11/8 is notated as an ^4, the enharmonic is v3M2, but if 11/8 is notated as a vA4, the enharmonic is ^3dd2.
Sometimes the temperament implies an enharmonic that isn't even a 2nd. For example, Liese aka Gu & Trizogu (2.3.5.7 with 81/80 and 1029/1000) is (P8, P11/3), with G = 7/5 = vd5, and EI = 3·vd5 - P11 = v3dd3. The genchain is P1 -- vd5 -- ^M7 -- P11, or C -- vGb -- ^B -- F.
This is all for single-comma temperaments. Each comma of a multiple-comma temperament also implies an enharmonic, and they may conflict. True double pergens, which are always multi-comma, have multiple notations. For example, the half-everything pergen has three possible notations, all equally valid. Even single-split pergens can have multiple commas that imply different enharmonics.
Chord names and staff notation
Using pergens, all rank-2 chords can be named using ups and downs, and if needed lifts and drops as well. See the ups and downs page for chord naming conventions. The genchain and/or the perchain creates a lattice in which each note and each interval has its own name. The many enharmonic equivalents allow proper chord spelling.
In certain pergens, one spelling isn't always clearly better. For example, in half-4th, C E G ^A and C E G vBb are the same chord, and either spelling might be used. This exact same issue occurs in 24-edo.
Given a specific temperament, the full period/generator mapping gives the notation of higher primes, and thus of any ratio. Thus JI chords can be named. For example, Pajara aka Sagugu & Ru (2.3.5.7 with 2048/2025 and 64/63) is (P8/2, P5), half-8ve, with P = vA4 or ^d5, G = P5, and EI = ^^d2. The full mapping is [(2 2 7 8) (0 1 -2 -2)], which can also be written [(2 0) (2 1) (7 -2) (8 -2)]. This tells us 7/1 = 8·P - 2·G = 4·P8 - 2·P5 = ccm7, and 7/4 = m7. Likewise 5/1 = 7·P - 2·G = 7/1 minus a half-octave. From this it follows that 5/4 = m7 - ^d5 = vM3. A 4:5:6:7 chord is written C vE G Bb = Cv,7.
A different temperament may result in the same pergen with the same enharmonic, but may still produce a different name for the same chord. For example, Injera aka Gu & Biruyo (2.3.5.7 with 81/80 and 50/49) is also half-8ve. However, the tipping point for the d2 enharmonic is at 700¢, and while Pajara favors a fifth wider than that, Injera favors a fifth narrower than that. Hence ups and downs are exchanged, and EI = vvd2, and P = ^A4 = vd5. The mapping is [(2 2 0 1) (0 1 4 4)] = [(2 0) (2 1) (0 4) (1 4)]. Because the square mapping (the first two columns) are the same, the pergen is the same. Because the other columns are different, the higher primes are mapped differently. 5/4 = M3 and 7/4 = M3 + vd5 = vm7, and 4:5:6:7 = C E G vBb = C,v7.
Scales can be named similar to Meantone[7], as (P8, P5) [7] = unsplit heptatonic, or (P8, P5/2) [5] = half-fifth pentatonic, etc. The number of notes in the scale tend to be a multiple of m, e.g. half-octave pergens tend to have scales with an even number of notes. This is in fact a requirement for MOS scales.
Chord progressions can be written out by applying ups and downs to the chord roots as needed, e.g. Iv -- vIIIv -- vVI^m -- Iv. A Porcupine aka Triyo (third-4th) comma pump can be written out like so: Cv -- vA^m -- vDv -- [vvB=^Bb]^m -- ^Ebv -- G^m -- Gv -- Cv. Brackets are used to show that vvB and ^Bb are enharmonically equivalent. The equivalence is shown roughly half-way through the pump. vvB is written first to show that this root is a vM6 above the previous root, vD. ^Bb is second to show the P4 relationship to the next root, ^Eb. Such an equivalence of course couldn't be used on the staff, where the chord would be written as either vvB^m or ^Bb^m, or possibly ^BbvvM = ^Bb vD ^F.
Lifts and drops, like ups and downs, precede the note head and any sharps or flats. Scores for melody instruments could instead have them above or below the staff. This score uses ups and downs, and has chord names. It's for the third-4th pergen, with EI = v3A1. As noted above, it can be played in EDOs 15, 22 or 29 as is, because ^1 maps to 1 edostep. But to be played in EDOs 30, 37 or 44, ^1 must be interpreted as two edosteps.
Mizarian Porcupine Overture by Herman Miller (P8, P4/3) ^3C = C#
Tipping points and sweet spots
The tipping point for half-octave with a d2 enharmonic is 700¢, 12-edo's 5th. As noted above, the 5th of Pajara (half-8ve) tends to be sharp, thus it has EI = ^^d2. But Injera, also half-8ve, has a flat 5th, and thus EI = vvd2. It is fine for two temperaments with the same pergen to be on opposite sides of the tipping point. But if a single temperament "tips over", either the up symbol sometimes means down in pitch, or even worse, the direction of ups and downs for a piece would reverse if the tuning is adjusted slightly. Fortunately, the temperament's "sweet spot", where the damage to those JI ratios likely to occur in chords is minimized, rarely contains the tipping point.
The tipping point depends on the choice of enharmonic. It's not the temperament that tips, it's the notation. Half-8ve could be notated with an EI of vvM2. The tipping point becomes 600¢, a very unlikely 5th, and tipping is impossible. For single-comma temperaments, EI usually equals the 3-limit mapping of the comma. Thus for 5-limit and 7-imit temperaments, the choice of EI is a given. However, the mapping of primes 11 and 13 is not agreed on.
The notation's tipping point is determined by the uninflected enharmonic, which is implied by the vanishing comma. For example, Porcupine aka Triyo's 250/243 comma is an A1 = (-11,7), which implies an uninflected EI of A1, which implies 7-edo, and a 685.7¢ tipping point. Dicot aka Yoyo's 25/24 comma is also an A1, and has the same tipping point. Semaphore aka Zozo's 49/48 comma is a minor 2nd = (8,-5), implying 5-edo and a 720¢ tipping point. See tipping points above for a more complete list.
Double-pair notation has two enharmonics, and two tipping points to be avoided. (P8/2, P4/2) has three possible notations. The two enharmonics can be either A1, m2 or d2. One can choose to use whichever two enharmonics best avoid tipping.
An example of a temperament that tips easily is Negri aka Laquadyo, 2.3.5 and (-14,3,4). Because Negri is 5-limit, the mapping is unambiguous, and the comma must be a dd2, implying 19-edo and a 694.74¢ tipping point. This coincides almost exactly with Negri's seventh-comma sweet spot, where 6/5 is just and 3/2 = 694.65¢. Negri's pergen is quarter-4th, with ^ = 25¢ + 4.75c, very nearly 0¢. The up symbol represents either 81/80 or 80/81, and EI could be either ^4dd2 or v4dd2. When the choice is so arbitrary, it's perhaps best to avoid inverting the ratio. 81/80 implies an EI of ^4dd2 and a G of ^m2. Negri's generator is 16/15, which is indeed a m2 raised by 81/80. In practice, seventh-comma Negri's 5th is only 0.085¢ from 19-edo's 5th, the tuning is hardly audibly different than 19edo, and the piece can be written out in 19edo notation.
Another "tippy" temperament is found by adding the mapping comma 81/80 to the Negri comma and getting the Latriyo comma (-18,7,3). This temperament is (P8, P11/3) with G = 45/32. The sweet spot is tenth-comma, even closer to 19edo's 5th.
Notating unsplit pergens
An unsplit pergen doesn't require ups and downs, but they are generally needed for proper chord spellings. The only exception is when tempering out a mapping comma, such as 81/80 or 64/63. For single-comma rank-2 temperaments, the pergen is unsplit if and only if the vanishing comma's color depth is 1 (i.e. the monzo has a final exponent of ±1).
The following table shows how to notate various 5-limit rank-2 temperaments. The sweet spot isn't precisely defined, thus all cents are approximate. The up symbol's ratio is always the mapping comma, or its inverse.
| 5-limit temperament | comma | sweet spot | no ups or downs | with ups and downs | up symbol | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (pergen is unsplit) | (5th = 700¢ + c) | 5/4 is | 4:5:6 chord | 5/4 is | 4:5:6 chord | EI | ratio | cents | |
| Meantone aka Gu | 81/80 = P1 | c = -3¢ to -5¢ | M3 | C E G | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Mavila aka Layobi | 135/128 = A1 | c = -21¢ to -22¢ | m3 | C Eb G | ^M3 | C ^E G | ^A1 | 80/81 = d1 | -100¢ - 7c = 47¢-54¢ |
| Lagu | (-15,11,-1) = A1 | c = -10¢ to -12¢ | A3 | C E# G | ^M3 | C ^E G | vA1 | 80/81 = A1 | 100¢ + 7c = 26¢-30¢ |
| Schismic aka Layo | (-15,8,1) = -d2 | c = 1.7¢ to 2.0¢ | d4 | C Fb G | vM3 | C vE G | ^d2 | 81/80 = -d2 | 12c = 20¢-24¢ |
| Lalagu | (-23,16,-1) = -d2 | c = -0.9¢ to -1.2¢ | AA2 | C D## G | vM3 | C vE G | vd2 | 81/80 = d2 | -12c = 10¢-15¢ |
| Father aka Gubi | 16/15 = m2 | c = 56¢ to 58¢ | P4 | C F G | vM3 | C vE G | ^m2 | 81/80 = -m2 | -100¢ + 5c = 180-190¢ |
| Superpyth aka Sasayo | (12,-9,1) = m2 | c = 9¢ to 10¢ | A2 | C D# G | vM3 | C vE G | vm2 | 81/80 = m2 | 100¢ - 5c = 50-55¢ |
The Schismic comma is a negative (i.e. descending) dim 2nd because it takes you down the scale, but up in pitch. The Mavila temperament could perhaps be notated without ups and downs, because 5/4 is still a 3rd, and the 4:5:6 triad still looks like a triad.
For unsplit pergens only, the up symbol's ratio can be expressed as a 3-limit comma, which is the sum or difference of the vanishing comma and the mapping comma. This 3-limit comma is tempered, as is every ratio. It can also be found directly from the 3-limit mapping of the vanishing comma. For example, the Schismic comma is a descending d2, and d2 = (19,-12), therefore the 3-limit comma is the pythagorean comma (-19,12).
A similar table could be made for 7-limit commas of the form (a,b,0,±1). Every such temperament except for Ru aka Archy (2.3.7 and 64/63) might use ups and downs to spell 7/4 as a m7. A 7-limit temperament with two commas may need double-pair notation, even though its pergen is unsplit, to avoid spelling the 4:5:6:7 chord something like C D# G A#. However, if both commas map to the same 3-limit comma, only single-pair is needed. For example, 7-limit Schismic tempers out both (-15,8,1) = -d2 and (25,-14,0,-1) = d2. The up symbol stands for the pythagorean comma, and the 4:5:6:7 chord is spelled C vE G vBb.
Notating rank-3 pergens
Conventional notation is generated by the octave and the 5th, and the notation (not the tuning itself) is rank-2. Each additional pair of accidentals increases the notation's rank by one, analogous to adding primes to a JI subgroup. Enharmonics are like commas in that each one reduces the notation's rank by one (assuming they are linearly independent). Obviously, the notation's rank must match the actual tuning's rank. Therefore the minimum number of enharmonics needed always equals the difference between the notation's rank and the tuning's rank. Examples:
| tuning | pergen | tuning's rank | notation | notation's rank if no enharmonics |
# of enharmonics needed |
enharmonics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-edo | (P8/12) | rank-1 | conventional | rank-2 | 1 | EI = d2 |
| 19-edo | (P8/19) | rank-1 | conventional | rank-2 | 1 | EI = dd2 |
| 15-edo | (P8/15) | rank-1 | single-pair | rank-3 | 2 | EI = m2, EI' = v3A1 = v3M2 |
| 24-edo | (P8/24) | rank-1 | single-pair | rank-3 | 2 | EI = d2, EI' = vvA1 = vvm2 |
| 3-limit JI aka pythagorean | (P8, P5) | rank-2 | conventional | rank-2 | 0 | --- |
| Meantone aka Gu | (P8, P5) | rank-2 | conventional | rank-2 | 0 | --- |
| Diaschismic aka Sagugu | (P8/2, P5) | rank-2 | single-pair | rank-3 | 1 | EI = ^^d2 |
| Semaphore aka Zozo | (P8, P4/2) | rank-2 | single-pair | rank-3 | 1 | EI = vvm2 |
| Decimal aka Yoyo & Zozo | (P8/2, P4/2) | rank-2 | double-pair | rank-4 | 2 | EI = vvd2, EI' = \\m2 = ^^\\A1 |
| 5-limit JI | (P8, P5, ^1) | rank-3 | single-pair | rank-3 | 0 | --- |
| Marvel aka Ruyoyo | (P8, P5, ^1) | rank-3 | single-pair | rank-3 | 0 | --- |
| Breedsmic aka Bizozogu | (P8, P5/2, ^1) | rank-3 | double-pair | rank-4 | 1 | EI = \\dd3 |
| 7-limit JI | (P8, P5, ^1, /1) | rank-4 | double-pair | rank-4 | 0 | --- |
When there is more than one enharmonic, the first one can be added to or subtracted from the 2nd one, to make an equivalent 2nd enharmonic.
A rank-2 pergen is either unsplit, single-split or double-split, and a double-split is either a true double or a false double. A rank-3 pergen can be any of these. Additionally, some rank-3 pergens are triple-splits, which are either true triples or false triples. False triples are like true doubles in that they only require two commas. There are even "superfalse" triples that can arise from a single comma, but the higher prime's exponent in the comma must be at least 12, making it difficult to pump, and not very useful musically.
Even the unsplit rank-3 pergen requires single-pair notation, for the 2nd generator. Single-splits and false double-splits require double-pair, true doubles and false triples require triple-pair, and true triples require quadruple-pair. Some false triples and some true doubles may use quadruple-pair as well, to avoid awkward enharmonics of a 3rd or more. Rather than devising a third or fourth pair of symbols, and a third or fourth pair of adjectives to describe them, one might simply use colors.
A true/false test hasn't yet been found for either triple-splits, or double-splits in which multigen2 is split.
Some examples of 7-limit rank-3 temperaments:
| 7-limit temperament | comma | pergen | spoken pergen | notation | period | gen1 | gen2 | enharmonic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel aka Ruyoyo | 225/224 | (P8, P5, ^1) | rank-3 unsplit | single-pair | P8 | P5 | ^1 = 81/80 | --- |
| " | " | " | " | double-pair | " | " | " | ^^\d2 |
| Biruyo | 50/49 | (P8/2, P5, ^1) | rank-3 half-8ve | double-pair | v/A4 = 10/7 | P5 | ^1 = 81/80 | ^^\\d2 |
| Trizogu | 1029/1000 | (P8, P11/3, ^1) | rank-3 third-11th | double-pair | P8 | ^\d5 = 7/5 | ^1 = 81/80 | ^^^\\\dd3 |
| Breedsmic aka Bizozogu | 2401/2400 | (P8, P5/2, ^1) | rank-3 half-5th | double-pair | P8 | v//A2 = 60/49 | /1 = 64/63 | ^^\4dd3 |
| Demeter aka Trizo-agugu | 686/675 | (P8, P5, \m3/2) | half-downminor-3rd | double-pair | P8 | P5 | v/A1 = 15/14 | ^^\\\dd3 |
If using single-pair notation, Marvel is notated like 5-limit JI, but the 4:5:6:7 chord is spelled C - vE - G - vvA#. If double-pair notation is used, /1 = 64/63, and the chord is spelled C - vE - G - \Bb.
There's a lot of options in rank-3 double-pair notation for what ratio each accidental pair represents. For example, Biruyo is half-8ve, with a d2 comma, like Srutal. Using the same notation as Srutal, but with ^1 = 81/80, we have P = \A4 = /d5 and EI = //d2. The ratio for /1 is (-10,6,-1,1), a descending interval. 7/4 = 5/4 + 7/5 = vM3 + /d5 = v/m7, and the 4:5:6:7 chord is spelled awkwardly as C vE G v/Bb. However, double-pair notation for 7-limit rank-3 temperaments can be standardized so that ^1 is always 81/80 and /1 is always 64/63. This ensures the 4:5:6:7 chord is always spelled C vE G \Bb.
With this standardization, the enharmonic can be derived directly from the comma. The vanishing comma is written as some 3-limit comma plus some number of mapping commas. For example, 50/49 = (81/80)-2 · (64/63)2 · (-19,12). This can be rewritten as vv1 + //1 - d2 = vv//-d2 = -^^\\d2. The comma is negative (i.e.descending), but the enharmonic never is, therefore EI = ^^\\d2. The period is found by adding/subtracting EI from the 8ve and dividing by two, thus P = v/A4 = ^\d5. Both EI and P become more complex, but the ratio for /1 becomes simpler.
This 3-limit comma defines the tipping point. At the tipping point, the 3-limit comma vanishes too. In a rank-2 temperament, the mapping comma must also vanish, because some number of them plus the 3-limit comma must add up to the original comma, which vanishes. However, a rank-3 temperament has two mapping commas, and neither is forced to vanish if the 3-limit comma vanishes. A rank-3 double-pair notation's tipping point is where both mapping commas are tempered out. For Biruyo, this happens when the tuning is exactly 12edo. This tuning is much farther from just than need be, well outside the sweet spot. Therefore Biruyo doesn't tip. Single-pair rank-3 notation has no enharmonic, and thus no tipping point. Double-pair rank-3 notation has 1 enharmonic, but two mapping commas. Rank-3 notations rarely tip.
Unlike the previous examples, Demeter aka Trizo-agugu's gen2 can't be expressed as a mapping comma. It divides 5/4 into three 15/14 generators, and 7/6 into two generators. Its pergen is (P8, P5, vm3/2). It could also be called (P8, P5, vM3/3), but the pergen with a smaller fraction is preferred. Because the 8ve and 5th are unsplit, single-pair notation is possible, with gen2 = ^m2 and no EI. But the 4:5:6:7 chord would be spelled C -- ^^^Fbbb -- G -- ^^Bbb, very awkward! Standard double-pair notation is better. Gen2 = v/A1, EI = ^^\\\dd3, and ^^\\\C = A##. Genchain2 is C -- v/C# -- \Eb -- vE -- \\Gb -- v\G -- vvG#=\\\Bbb -- v\\Bb... Unlike other genchains we've seen, the additional accidentals get progressively more complex. Whenever an accidental has its own enharmonic, with no other accidentals in it, it always adds up to something simpler eventually. If it doesn't have its own enharmonic, it's infinitely stackable. A case can be made for a convention that colors are used only for infinitely stackable accidentals, and ups/downs/lifts/drops only for the other kind of accidentals.
There are always many alternate 2nd generators. Any combination of periods, 1st generators and commas can be added to or subtracted from gen2 to make alternates. If gen2 can be expressed as a mapping comma, that is preferred. For Demeter, any combination of \m3, double-8ves and double-5ths (M9's) makes an alternate multigen2. Any 3-limit interval can be added or subtracted twice, because the splitting fraction is 2. Obviously we can't choose the multigen2 with the smallest cents, because there will always be a 3-limit comma small enough to be subtracted twice from it. Instead, once the splitting fraction is minimized, choose the multigen2 with the smallest odd limit. In case of two ratios with the same odd limit, as 5/3 and 5/4, the DOL (double odd limit) is minimized. DOL (5/3) = (5,3) and DOL (5/4) = (5,1). Since 1 < 3, 5/4 is preferred.
If ^1 = 81/80, possible half-split gen2's are vM3/2, vM6/2, and their octave inverses ^m6/2 and ^m3/2. Possible third-split gen2's are vM3/3, vM6/3, vM2/3, and their inverses, plus vM9/3, ^m10/3 and vM10/3. If ^1 = 64/63, possible third-splits are ^M2/3, vm3/3, ^M3/3, vm6/3, ^M6/3, vm7/3, ^M9/3, vm10/3 and ^M10/3. Analogous to rank-2 pergens with imperfect multigens, there will be occasional double-up or double-down multigen2's.
All possible rank-3 pergens can be listed, but the table is much longer than for rank-2 pergens. Here are all the half-split pergens:
| pergen number | prime subgroup used by the pergen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| unsplit | 2.3.5 (^1 = 81/80) | 2.3.7 (^1 = 64/63) | ||
| 1 | (P8, P5, ^1) | rank-3 unsplit | same | same |
| half-splits | ||||
| 2 | (P8/2, P5, ^1) | rank-3 half-8ve | same | same |
| 3 | (P8, P4/2, ^1) | rank-3 half-4th | same | same |
| 4 | (P8, P5/2, ^1) | rank-3 half-5th | same | same |
| 5 | (P8/2, P4/2, ^1) | rank-3 half-everything | same | same |
| 6 | (P8, P5, ^m3/2) | half-upminor-3rd | (P8, P5, ^M2/2) | half-upmajor-2nd |
| 7 | (P8, P5, vM3/2) | half-downmajor-3rd | (P8, P5, vm3/2) | half-downminor-3rd |
| 8 | (P8, P5, ^m6/2) | half-upminor-6th | (P8, P5, ^M6/2) | half-upmajor-6th |
| 9 | (P8, P5, vM6/2) | half-downmajor-6th | (P8, P5, vm7/2) | half-downminor-7th |
| 10 | (P8/2, P5, ^m3/2) | half-8ve half-upminor 3rd | (P8/2, P5, ^M2/2) | half-8ve half-upmajor-2nd |
| 11 | (P8/2, P5, vM3/2) | half-8ve half-downmajor 3rd | (P8/2, P5, vm3/2) | etc. |
| 12 | (P8/2, P5, ^m6/2) | half-8ve half-upminor 6th | (P8/2, P5, ^M6/2) | |
| 13 | (P8/2, P5, vM6/2) | half-8ve half-downmajor 6th | (P8/2, P5, vm7/2) | |
| 14 | (P8, P4/2, ^m3/2) | half-4th half-upminor 3rd | (P8, P4/2, ^M2/2) | |
| 15 | (P8, P4/2, vM3/2) | etc. | (P8, P4/2, vm3/2) | |
| 16 | (P8, P4/2, ^m6/2) | (P8, P4/2, ^M6/2) | ||
| 17 | (P8, P4/2, vM6/2) | (P8, P4/2, vm7/2) | ||
| 18 | (P8, P5/2, ^m3/2) | (P8, P5/2, ^M2/2) | ||
| 19 | (P8, P5/2, vM3/2) | (P8, P5/2, vm3/2) | ||
| 20 | (P8, P5/2, ^m6/2) | (P8, P5/2, ^M6/2) | ||
| 21 | (P8, P5/2, vM6/2) | (P8, P5/2, vm7/2) | ||
| 22 | (P8/2, P4/2, vM3/2) | half-everything half-downmajor-3rd | (P8/2, P4/2, ^M2/2) | |
There are at least 100 third-splits and 287 quarter-splits. More columns could be added for ^1 = 33/32, ^1 = 729/704, ^1 = 27/26, etc.
Notating multi-EDO pergens
A multi-EDO pergen is rank-2 and equates some number of 5ths to some number of 8ves, thus equating the 5th to some exact fraction of the octave. The 5th is not independent of the octave, thus it doesn't appear in the pergen. Such pergens make a lot of sense musically when the octave's splitting fraction corresponds to an edo with a 5th fairly close to just, like P8/5, P8/7, P8/10 and especially P8/12. Pergens which imply an edo which doesn't have a decent 5th, e.g. P8/3, P8/4, P8/6, etc., are covered in the next section.
A multi-EDO pergen is a rank-3 pergen plus a 3-limit comma. Adding this comma splits the octave and removes the middle term from the pergen. For example, Blackwood aka Sawa plus Ya is 5-limit JI = (P8, P5, ^1) plus 256/243, making (P8/5, ^1). Such a pergen is in effect multiple copies of an edo. Its spoken name is rank-2 N-edo, meaning an edo extended to rank-2. Its notation is based on the edo's notation, expanded with an additional microtonal accidental pair. Examples:
| temperament | pergen | spoken name | enharmonics | perchain | genchain | ^1 ratio | /1 ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackwood aka Sawa+ya | (P8/5, ^1) | rank-2 5-edo | EI = m2 | D E=F G A B=C D | D vF#=vG vvB... | 81/80 = 16/15 | --- |
| Whitewood aka Lawa+ya | (P8/7, ^1) | rank-2 7-edo | EI = A1 | D E F G A B C D | D ^F ^^A... | 80/81 = 135/128 | --- |
| 10edo+ya | (P8/10, /1) | rank-2 10-edo | EI = m2, EI' = vvA1 = vvM2 | D ^D=vE E=F ^F=vG G... | D \F#=\G \\B... | (see below) | 81/80 |
| 12edo+la | (P8/12, ^1) | rank-2 12-edo | EI = d2 | D D#=Eb E F F#=Gb... | D ^G ^^C | 33/32 | --- |
| " | " | " | " | " | D vG#=vAb vvD... | 729/704 | --- |
| 17edo+ya | (P8/17, /1) | rank-2 17-edo | EI = dd3, EI' = vm2 = vvA1 | D ^D=Eb D#=vE E F... | D \F# \\A#=v\\B... | 256/243 | 81/80 |
If the edo's notation uses ups and downs, the up symbol can often be equated to a 3-limit ratio. In 17-edo and 22-edo, ^1 = m2. In 31-edo and 43-edo it's d2. But in edos like 10, 15, 21 and 24, in which the circle of 5ths skips some notes, there is no 3-limit ratio. The ratio depends on the JI interpretation of the edo. For 10-edo, ^1 might equal 16/15, or 12/11, or 13/12.
The additional accidental has an equivalent ratio, found by adding the pergen's 3-limit comma onto the ratio. Blackwood's comma is 256/243, and Blackwood's ^1 is 81/80 or equivalently, 16/15.
All multi-EDO pergens are of the form (P8/m, ^1) or (P8/m, /1), and they can be identified solely by their splitting fraction. Multi-EDO pergens are a small minority of rank-2 pergens.
It's possible to have a fifth-8ve pergen with an independent 5th, but there will be very small intervals of about 20¢. Here are two such:
| temperament | subgroup | comma | pergen | spoken name | enharmonic | perchain | genchain | ^1 ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laquinzo | 2.3.7 | (-14,0,0,5) | (P8/5, P5) | fifth-8ve | EI = v5m2 | D ^^E vG ^A vvC D | C G D A E... | 49/48 |
| Saquinru | 2.3.7 | (22,-5,0,-5) | " | " | " | " | " | 64/63 |
Unlike Blackwood, the ups and downs are in the perchain, not the genchain. It would be possible to notate Blackwood similarly. The pergen would be not (P8/5, ^1), but (P8/5, M3). The perchain would be C ^^D vF ^G vvBb C and the genchain would be C E G#... But this is not recommended, because it would cause "missing notes" (see next section). A multi-EDO pergen should never have an uninflected genchain.
Notating non-8ve and no-5ths pergens
In multi-EDO pergens, the 5th is present but not independent. In no-5ths pergens, the 5th is not present, and the prime subgroup doesn't contain 3.
In any notation, every note has a name, and no two notes have the same name. A note's representation on the musical staff follows from its name. If the notation has any enharmonics, each note has several names. Generally, every name has a note. Every possible name, and anything that can be written on on the staff, corresponds to one and only one note in the lattice formed by perchains and genchains.
But in non-8ve and no-5ths pergens, not every name has a note. For example, Biruyo Nowa (2.5.7 and 50/49) is (P8/2, M3) = half-8ve, major 3rd. The genchain runs C - E - G# - B# - D##... and the perchain runs C - vF# - C. There is no G or D or A note, in fact 75% of all possible note names have no actual note. 75% of all intervals don't exist. There is no perfect 5th or major 2nd. There are missing notes and missing intervals.
Conventional notation assumes the 2.3 prime subgroup. Non-8ve and no-5ths pergens can be notated in a backwards compatible way as a subset of a larger prime subgroup which contains 2 and 3. Thus 5/4 = M3, 7/4 = m7, etc. The advantage of this approach is that conventional staff notation can be used. A violinist or vocalist will immediately have a rough idea of the pitch. The disadvantage is that there is a huge number of missing notes and intervals. The composer may want to use a notation that isn't backwards compatible for composing, but use one that is for communicating with other musicians.
Just as all rank-2 pergens in which 2 and 3 are present and independent can be numbered, so can all 2.5 pergens, all 2.7 pergens, all 3.5 pergens, etc. Every rank-2 pergen can be identified by its prime subgroup and its pergen number. The pergens are grouped into blocks and sections as before. Within each section, the pergens are ordered by cents size of the generator. Sometimes the pergen can be simplified. For example, 2.7 pergen #4 is (P8, m7/2) which is (P8, P4), which is equivalent to (P8, P5). P5 represents not 3/2 but half of 16/7, which is 3/2 sharpened by half of 64/63. Simplified pergens are marked with an asterisk.
| pergen number | prime subgroup used by the pergen | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| unsplit | 2.3 | 2.5 (M3 = 5/4) | 2.7 (M2 = 8/7) | 3.5 (M6 = 5/3) | 3.7 (M3 = 9/7) | 5.7 (ccM3 = 5/1, d5 = 7/5) |
| 1 | (P8, P5) | (P8, M3) | (P8, M2) | (P12, M6) | (P12, M3) | (ccM3, d5) |
| half-splits | ||||||
| 2 | (P8/2, P5) | (P8/2, M3) | (P8/2, M2) | (P12/2, M6) | (P12/2, M3) | (M9, d5)* |
| 3 | (P8, P4/2) | (P8, M2)* | (P8, M2/2) | (P12, M6/2) | (P12, M2)* | (ccM3, m3)* |
| 4 | (P8, P5/2) | (P8, m6/2) | (P8, P5)* | (P12, P4)* | (P12, m10/2) | (ccM3, M7)* |
| 5 | (P8/2, P4/2) | (P8/2, M2)* | (P8/2, M2/2) | (P12/2, M6/2) | (P12/2, M3/2) | (M9, m3)* |
| third-splits | ||||||
| 6 | (P8/3, P5) | (P8/3, M3) | (P8/3, M2) | (P12/3, M6) | (P12/3, M3) | (ccM3/3, d5) |
| 7 | (P8, P4/3) | (P8, M3/3) | (P8, M2/3) | (P12, M6/3) | (P12, M3/3) | (ccM3, d5/3) |
| 8 | (P8, P5/3) | (P8, m6/3) | (P8, m7/3) | (P12, m7/3) | (P12, P4)* | (ccM3, cA6/3) |
| 9 | (P8, P11/3) | (P8, M10/3) | (P8, M9/3) | (P12, ccM3/3) | (P12, cM7/3) | (ccM3, ccm7/3) |
| 10 | (P8/3, P4/2) | (P8/3, M2)* | (P8/3, M2/2) | (P12/3, M6/2) | (P12/3, M2)* | (ccM3/3, m3)* |
| 11 | (P8/3, P5/2) | (P8/3. m6/2) | (P8/3, P5)* | (P12/3, P4)* | (P12/3, m10/2) | (ccM3/3, M7)* |
| 12 | (P8/2, P4/3) | (P8/2, M3/3) | (P8/2, M2/3) | (P12/2, M6/3) | (P12/2, M3/3) | (M9, d5/3)* |
| 13 | (P8/2, P5/3) | (P8/2, m6/3) | (P8/2, m7/3) | (P12/2, m7/3) | (P12/2, P4)* | (M9, cA6/3)* |
| 14 | (P8/2, P11/3) | (P8/2, M10/3) | (P8/2, M9/3) | (P12/2, ccM3/3) | (P12/2, cM7/3) | (M9, ccm7/3)* |
| 15 | (P8/3, P4/3) | (P8/3, M3/3) | (P8/3, M2/3) | (P12/3, M6/3) | (P12/3, P4)* | (ccM3/3, d5/3) |
For prime subgroup p.q, the unsplit pergen has period p/1. The unsplit pergen's generator is found by dividing q by p until it's less than p/1, and period-inverting if it's more than half of p/1.
Multi-EDO pergens also appear in this table. For example, in row #33, (P8/5, ^1) replaces both 2.5 (P8/5, M3) and 2.7 (P8/5, M2). This has the advantage of avoiding missing notes. Since one fifth of 5/1 is only 25¢ from 7/5, the 5.7 (ccM3/5, d5) can optionally be replaced too.
| pergen number | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 5.7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | (P8/5, P5) | (P8/5, ^1) | (P8/5, ^1) | (P12/5, M6) | (P12/5, M3) | (ccM3/5, ^1) |
Non-8ve pergens require octave numbers (unless on the staff of course). For example, consider the first 3.5 pergen, (P12, M6). The note one M6 above C1 is A1, and the note three P12's above C1 is A5. (There is no A2, A3 or A4.) Referring to a note as simply A is ambiguous.
Every rank-3 pergen can also be identified by its prime subgroup and its pergen number. A similar table could be made for all rank-3 pergens. The 2.3.5 and 2.3.7 subgroups are listed in the section on rank-3 pergens. The 2.5.7 subgroup's unsplit pergen is (P8, M3, ^M2), with ^M2 = 8/7 and ^1 = √256/245 = √(81/80 * 64/63 * 64/63) = about 38¢. The 3.5.7 subgroup's unsplit pergen is (P12, M6, ^M3), with ^M3 = 9/7 and ^1 = √6561/6125 = √[(81/80)3 * (64/63)2] = about 60¢.
Pergen squares
Pergen squares, which were discovered by Praveen Venkataramana, are a way to visualize pergens squares in a way that isn't specific to any primes at all. To understand them, let's assume the standard 2.3 prime subgroup for now. The genchain runs left to right along the top and bottom sides of the square. One horizontal side of the square equals one 5th. The perchain runs up the sides of the square. One vertical side of the square equals one octave. The pergen square is the building block of the rank-2 lattice. The complete lattice is formed by tiling many squares in all directions.
For (P8, P5), the pergen square has 4 notes, shown here with octave numbers (ignore the periods).
C2 -- G2
| . . . . |
C1 -- G1
Splitting the 8ve or the multigen adds notes to the square. For (P8/2, P5), there are 6 notes. The new notes fall halfway between each 8ve:
C2 --- G2
vF#1 vC#2
C1 --- G1
A pergen square shows all alternate gens and multigens. The unreduced form of (P8/2, P5) is (P8/2, M2/2). The M2 becomes visible only after tiling the pergen square. From C2 to D2 is a M2, and vC#2 bisects it. vG#2 bisects the G2-A2 M2. Every "downed" note bisects an 8ve, a M2, a cm7 (e.g. D1 to C3), a cM9 (e.g. C1 to D3), and many other intervals.
C2 --- G2 --- D3 --- A3
vF#1 vC#2 vG#2 vD#3
C1 --- G1 --- D2 --- A2
Splitting the 5th adds notes to the horizontal edges of the square:
C2 vE2 G2
| . . . . . . |
C1 vE1 G1
Each downed note also bisects a P11 (e.g. G1-C3), as well as many other intervals.
C3 vE3 G3
| . . . . . . |
C2 vE2 G2
| . . . . . . |
C1 vE1 G1
From G1 to C2 is a 4th, so splitting the 4th adds a note halfway between them, in the center of the square.
C2 ---- G2
| . ^A1 . |
C1 ---- G1
^A1 also bisects the P12 from C1 to G2.
Pergen squares can be generalized to any prime subgroup by representing the notes as dots. Below are the first 32 rank-2 pergens in a completely JI-agnostic format. A is the interval of equivalence, the period of the unsplit pergen. B is the generator of the unsplit pergen. For 2.3 pergens, A = 8ve and B = 5th. The (A, (A-B)/2) square corresponds to (P8, P4/2). In the 2.5 subgroup, B = 5/4. In Bohlen-Peirce, A = 3/1 and B = 5/3. True doubles are in red. The true/false property of a pergen is independent of the prime subgroup. Imperfect multigens are in green. Imperfect is generalized to other subgroups as requiring multiples of B in the pergen.
A similar chart could be made for all rank-3 pergens, using pergen cubes.
Notating tunings with an arbitrary generator
Given only the generator's cents, and the period as some fraction of the octave, it's often possible to work backwards and find an appropriate multigen. Heptatonic notation requires that the 5th be between 600¢ and 720¢, to avoid descending 2nds. However 600¢ makes an extremely lopsided scale, so a more reasonable lower bound of 7\13 = 647¢ is used here. This limit is chosen because 13-edo notation uses the alternate 5th 7\13, and as a bonus it includes 16/11 = 649¢. The 4th is limited to 480-553¢, which includes 11/8. This sets a range for each possible generator, e.g. half-4th's generator ranges from 240¢ to 277¢.
The next table lists all the ranges for all multigens up to seventh-splits. One can look up one's generator in the first column and find a possible multigen. Use the octave inverse if G > 600¢. Some ranges overlap. Those that are contained entirely within another range are listed in the righthand columns.
| primary choice | secondary choices | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| generator | possible multigen | generator | multigen | generator | multigen |
| 23-60¢ | M2/4 (requires P8/2) | ||||
| 69-79¢ | P4/7 | ||||
| 80-92¢ | P4/6 | ||||
| 92-103¢ | P5/7 | ||||
| 96-111¢ | P4/5 | ||||
| 108-120¢ | P5/6 | ||||
| 120-138¢ | P4/4 | ||||
| 129-144¢ | P5/5 | ||||
| 160-185¢ | P4/3 | 162-180¢ | P5/4 | ||
| 215-240¢ | P5/3 | ||||
| 240-277¢ | P4/2 | 240-251¢ | P11/7 | 264-274¢ | P12/7 |
| 280-292¢ | P11/6 | ||||
| 308-320¢ | P12/6 | ||||
| 323-360¢ | P5/2 | 336-351¢ | P11/5 | ||
| 369-384¢ | P12/5 | ||||
| 411-422¢ | ccP4/7 | ||||
| 420-438¢ | P11/4 | ||||
| 435-446¢ | ccP5/7 | ||||
| 462-480¢ | P12/4 | 462-480¢ | M9/3 | ||
| 480-554¢ | P4 = P5 | 480-492¢ | ccP4/6 | 508-520¢ | ccP5/6 |
| 560-585¢ | P11/3 | ||||
| 576-591¢ | ccP4/5 | 583-593¢ | cccP4/7 | ||
There are gaps in the table, especially near 150¢, 200¢, 300¢ and 400¢. Some tunings simply aren't compatible with fifth-generated heptatonic notation. But the total range of possible generators is mostly well covered, providing convenient notation options. In particular, if the tuning's generator is just over 720¢, to avoid descending 2nds, instead of calling the generator a 5th, one can call its inverse a quarter-12th. The generator is notated as an up-5th, and four of them make a ccP4.
The table assumes unsplit octaves. Splitting the octave creates alternate generators. For example, if P = P8/3 = 400¢ and G = 300¢, alternate generators are 100¢ and 500¢. Any of these can be used to find a convenient multigen.
See also the map of rank-2 temperaments.
Pergens and MOS scales
Every rank-2 pergen generates certain MOS scales. This of course depends on the exact size of the generator. In this table, the 5th is assumed to be between 4\7 and 3\5. Sometimes the genchain is too short to generate the multigen. For example, (P8/3, P4/2) [6] has 3 genchains, each with only 2 notes, and thus only 1 step. But it takes 2 steps to make a 4th, so the scale doesn't actually contain any 4ths. Such scales are marked with an asterisk.
| pergen | MOS scales of 5-12 notes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (P8, P5) | unsplit | 5 = 2L 3s | 7 = 5L 2s | 12 = 7L 5s (or 5L 7s) | |||
| halves | |||||||
| (P8/2, P5) | half-8ve | 6 = 2L 4s | 8 = 2L 6s | 10 = 2L 8s | 12 = 2L 10s (or 10L 2s) | ||
| (P8, P4/2) | half-4th | 5 = 4L 1s | 9 = 5L 4s | ||||
| (P8, P5/2) | half-5th | 7 = 3L 4s | 10 = 7L 3s | ||||
| (P8/2, P4/2) | half-everything | 6 = 4L 2s | 10 = 4L 6s | ||||
| thirds | |||||||
| (P8/3, P5) | third-8ve | 6 = 3L 3s | 9 = 3L 6s | 12 = 3L 9s (or 9L 3s) | |||
| (P8, P4/3) | third-4th | 5 = 1L 4s | 6 = 1L 5s | 7 = 1L 6s | 8 = 7L 1s | ||
| (P8, P5/3) | third-5th | 5 = 1L 4s | 6 = 5L 1s | 11 = 5L 6s | |||
| (P8, P11/3) | third-11th | 5 = 2L 3s | 7 = 2L 5s | 9 = 2L 7s | 11 = 2L 9s | ||
| (P8/3, P4/2) | third-8ve, half-4th | 6 = 3L 3s * | 9 = 6L 3s | ||||
| (P8/3, P5/2) | third-8ve, half-5th | 6 = 3L 3s * | 9 = 3L 6s | 12 = 3L 9s | |||
| (P8/2, P4/3) | half-8ve, third-4th | 6 = 2L 4s * | 8 = 6L 2s | ||||
| (P8/2, P5/3) | half-8ve, third-5th | 6 = 4L 2s * | 10 = 6L 4s | ||||
| (P8/2, P11/3) | half-8ve, third-11th | 6 = 2L 4s * | 8 = 2L 6s | 10 = 2L 8s | 12 = 2L 10s | ||
| (P8/3, P4/3) | third-everything | 6 = 3L 3s * | 9 = 6L 3s * | ||||
| quarters | |||||||
| (P8/4, P5) | quarter-8ve | 8 = 4L 4s | 12 = 4L 8s (or 8L 4s) | ||||
| (P8, P4/4) | quarter-4th | 5 = 1L 4s | 6 = 1L 5s | 7 = 1L 6s | 8 = 1L 7s | 9 = 1L 8s | 10 = 9L 1s |
| (P8, P5/4) | quarter-5th | 5 = 1L 4s | 6 = 1L 5s | 7 = 6L 1s | |||
| (P8, P11/4) | quarter-11th | 5 = 3L 2s | 8 = 3L 5s | 11 = 3L 8s | |||
| (P8, P12/4) | quarter-12th | 5 = 3L 2s | 8 = 5L 3s | ||||
| (P8/4, P4/2) | quarter-8ve half-4th | 8 = 4L 4s * | 12 = 4L 8s | ||||
| (P8/2, M2/4) | half-8ve quarter-tone | 6 = 2L 4s * | 8 = 2L 6s * | 10 = 2L 8s | 12 = 2L 10s | ||
| (P8/2, P4/4) | half-8ve quarter-4th | 6 = 2L 4s * | 8 = 2L 6s * | 10 = 8L 2s | |||
| (P8/2, P5/4) | half-8ve quarter-5th | 6 = 2L 4s * | 8 = 6L 2s * | ||||
| (P8/4, P4/3) | quarter-8ve third-4th | 8 = 4L 4s * | 12 = 8L 4s * | ||||
| (P8/4, P5/3) | quarter-8ve third-5th | 8 = 4L 4s * | 12 = 4L 8s * | ||||
| (P8/4, P11/3) | quarter-8ve third-11th | 8 = 4L 4s * | 12 = 4L 8s * | ||||
| (P8/3, P4/4) | third-8ve quarter-4th | 6 = 3L 3s * | 9 = 3L 6s * | 12 = 9L 3s * | |||
| (P8/3, P5/4) | third-8ve quarter-5th | 6 = 3L 3s * | 9 = 6L 3s * | ||||
| (P8/3, P11/4) | third-8ve quarter-11th | 6 = 3L 3s * | 9 = 3L 6s * | 12 = 3L 9s * | |||
| (P8/3, P12/4) | third-8ve quarter-12th | 6 = 3L 3s * | 9 = 3L 6s * | 12 = 3L 9s * | |||
| (P8/4, P4/4) | quarter-everything | 8 = 4L 4s * | 12 = 8L 4s * | ||||
A MOS scale tends to be generated by just a few pergens. The table below shows the pergen that best corresponds to each MOS scale, as well as some others that could also generate the scale. The best pergen is the simplest, and also one that makes a reasonable L/s ratio. A ratio of 3 or more makes a scale that's too lopsided.
| MOS scale | primary example | secondary examples | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pentatonic | |||
| 1L 4s | (P8, P5/3) [5] | third-5th pentatonic | third-4th, quarter-4th, quarter-5th |
| 2L 3s | (P8, P5) [5] | unsplit pentatonic | third-11th |
| 3L 2s | (P8, P12/4) [5] | quarter-12th pentatonic | quarter-11th |
| 4L 1s | (P8, P4/2) [5] | half-4th pentatonic | |
| Hexatonic | |||
| 1L 5s | (P8, P4/3) [6] | third-4th hexatonic | quarter-4th, quarter-5th, fifth-4th, fifth-5th |
| 2L 4s | (P8/2, P5) [6] | half-8ve hexatonic | |
| 3L 3s | (P8/3, P5) [6] | third-8ve hexatonic | |
| 4L 2s | (P8/2, P4/2) [6] | half-everything hexatonic | |
| 5L 1s | (P8, P5/3) [6] | third-5th hexatonic | |
| Heptatonic | |||
| 1L 6s | (P8, P4/3) [7] | third-4th heptatonic | quarter-4th, fifth-4th, fifth-5th, sixth-4th, sixth-5th |
| 2L 5s | (P8, P11/3) [7] | third-11th heptatonic | fifth-double-compound-4th, sixth-double-compound-5th |
| 3L 4s | (P8, P5/2) [7] | half-5th heptatonic | fifth-12th |
| 4L 3s | (P8, P11/5) [7] | fifth-11th heptatonic | sixth-12th |
| 5L 2s | (P8, P5) [7] | unsplit heptatonic | sixth-double-compound-4th |
| 6L 1s | (P8, P5/4) [7] | quarter-5th heptatonic | |
| Octotonic | |||
| 1L 7s | (P8, P4/4) [8] | quarter-4th octotonic | fifth-4th, fifth-5th, sixth-4th, sixth-5th, seventh-4th, seventh-5th |
| 2L 6s | (P8/2, P5) [8] | half-8ve octotonic | |
| 3L 5s | (P8, P11/4) [8] | quarter-11th octotonic | seventh-cc4th, seventh-cc5th |
| 4L 4s | (P8/4, P5) [8] | quarter-8ve octotonic | |
| 5L 3s | (P8, P12/4) [8] | quarter-12th octotonic | (very lopsided, unless 5th is quite flat) |
| 6L 2s | (P8/2, P4/3) [8] | half-8ve third-4th octotonic | |
| 7L 1s | (P8, P4/3) [8] | third-4th octotonic | |
| Nonatonic | |||
| 1L 8s | (P8, P4/4) [9] | quarter-4th nonatonic | fifth-4th, sixth-4th, sixth-5th, seventh-4th/5th, eighth-4th/5th |
| 2L 7s | (P8, c3P5/8) [9] | eighth-c35th nonatonic | third-11th, fifth-cc4th |
| 3L 6s | (P8/3, P5) [9] | third-8ve nonatonic | third-8ve half-5th |
| 4L 5s | (P8, P12/7) [9] | seventh-12th nonatonic | sixth-11th |
| 5L 4s | (P8, P4/2) [9] | half-4th nonatonic | (lopsided unless 4th is sharp), seventh-11th |
| 6L 3s | (P8/3, P4/2) [9] | third-8ve half-4th nonatonic | |
| 7L 2s | (P8, ccP5/6)[9] | sixth-cc5th nonatonic | (lopsided unless 5th is sharp) |
| 8L 1s | (P8, P5/5) [9] | fifth-5th nonatonic | |
| Decatonic | |||
| 1L 9s | (P8, P5/6) [10] | sixth-5th decatonic | fifth-4th, sixth-4th, seventh-4th/5th, eighth-4th/5th, ninth-4th/5th |
| 2L 8s | (P8/2, P5) [10] | half-8ve decatonic | half-8ve quartertone, half-8ve third-11th |
| 3L 7s | (P8, P12/5) [10] | fifth-12th decatonic | eighth-cc4th, eighth-cc5th |
| 4L 6s | (P8/2, P4/2) [10] | half-everything decatonic | |
| 5L 5s | (P8/2, P5) [10] | half-8ve decatonic | (lopsided unless 5th is quite flat) |
| 6L 4s | (P8/2, P5/3) [10] | half-8ve third-5th decatonic | |
| 7L 3s | (P8, P5/2) [10] | half-5th decatonic | ninth-cc5th |
| 8L 2s | (P8/2, P4/4) [10] | half-8ve quarter-4th decatonic | half-8ve quarter-12th |
| 9L 1s | (P8, P4/2) [10] | quarter-4th decatonic | |
The pentatonic MOS scales don't include fifth-split pergens, because a pentatonic genchain has only 4 steps, and can only divide a multigen into quarters. It would be possible to include pergens with a multigen which isn't actually generated. For example, 3L 2s using the Sensei aka Sepgu & Ruyoyo generator would be (P8, ccP5/7) [5]. The rationale would be that two Sensei generators equals 5/3, in effect a (P8, (5/3)/2) pseudo-pergen.
Some MOS scales are better understood using a pergen with a nonstandard prime subgroup. For example, 6L 1s can be Roulette [7] aka Zozoquingu Nowa [7], with a 2.5.7 pergen (P8, (5/4)/2) = (P8, M3/2) = (P8, M2), where 5·G = A6 = 7/4.
Pergens and EDOs
Pergens have much in common with edos. Pergens of rank-2 assume only primes 2 and 3, edos assume only prime 2. There are an infinite number of edos and pergens, but only a few dozen of either have been explored.
Just as edos are said to support temperaments, they can support pergens. If a temperament is supported, its pergen is too, and vice versa. An edo can't suppoprt a pergen if the split is impossible. For example, all odd-numbered edos are incompatible with half-octave pergens. A pergen is somewhat unsupported by an edo if the period and generator can only generate a subset of the edo. For example, (P8, P5) is somewhat unsupported by 15edo, because any chain-of-5ths scale could only make a 5-edo subset.
How many pergens are fully supported by a given edo? Surprisingly, an infinite number! There are infinitely many possible multigens, each one divisible by its keyspan. For example, 12edo supports, among other pergens, this series: (P8, P5/7), (P8, P12/19), (P8, ccP5/31),... (P8, (i-1,1)/n), where n = 12i+7.
How many edos support a given pergen? Presumably, an infinite number. For (P8/m, M/n) to be supported by N-edo, N must be a multiple of m, and k must be divisible by n, where k is the multigen's N-edo keyspan. To be fully supported, N/m and k/n must be coprime.
Given an edo, a period, and a generator, what is the pergen? There is usually more than one right answer. For 10edo with P = 5\10 and G = 2\10, it could be either (P8/2, P4/2) or (P8/2, P5/3). Every coprime period/generator pair results in a valid pergen. It isn't yet known if there are period/generator pairs that require a true double pergen, or if all such pairs can result from either a false double or single-split pergen.
EDOs Supporting A Pergen
This table lists all pergens up to quarter-splits, with all edos that support them. Partial support is indicated with an asterisk. The generator's keyspan depends on the multigen's keyspan, and thus on the 5th's keyspan. The latter is occasionally ambiguous, as in 13-edo and 18-edo. Both of these edos are incompatible with heptatonic notation, and 13edo's half-5th pergen is actually notated as a half-upfifth. 13b-edo and 18b-edo are listed as well. 6-edo, 11-edo and 23-edo could also be considered ambiguous.
| pergen | supporting edos (12-31 only) | |
|---|---|---|
| (P8, P5) | unsplit | 12, 13, 13b, 14*, 15*, 16, 17, 18, 18b*, 19, 20*,
21*, 22, 23, 24*, 25*, 26, 27, 28*, 29, 30*, 31 |
| halves | ||
| (P8/2, P5) | half-8ve | 12, 14, 16, 18, 18b, 20*, 22, 24*, 26, 28*, 30* |
| (P8, P4/2) | half-4th | 13b, 14, 15*, 18b*, 19, 20*, 23, 24, 25*, 28*, 29, 30* |
| (P8, P5/2) | half-5th | 13, 14*, 17, 18b, 20*, 21*, 24, 27, 28*, 30*, 31 |
| (P8/2, P4/2) | half-everything | 14, 18b, 20*, 24, 28*, 30* |
| thirds | ||
| (P8/3, P5) | third-8ve | 12, 15, 18, 18b*, 21, 24*, 27, 30* |
| (P8, P4/3) | third-4th | 13b, 14*, 15, 21*, 22, 28*, 29, 30* |
| (P8, P5/3) | third-5th | 15*, 16, 20*, 21, 25*, 26, 30*, 31 |
| (P8, P11/3) | third-11th | 13, 15, 17, 21, 23, 30* |
| (P8/3, P4/2) | third-8ve, half-4th | 15, 18b*, 24, 30* |
| (P8/3, P5/2) | third-8ve, half-5th | 18b, 21, 24, 27, 30 |
| (P8/2, P4/3) | half-8ve, third-4th | 14, 22, 28*, 30 |
| (P8/2, P5/3) | half-8ve, third-5th | 16, 20*, 26, 30* |
| (P8/2, P11/3) | half-8ve, third-11th | 19, 30 |
| (P8/3, P4/3) | third-everything | 15, 21, 30* |
| quarters | ||
| (P8/4, P5) | quarter-8ve | 12, 16, 20, 24*, 28 |
| (P8, P4/4) | quarter-4th | 18b*, 19, 20*, 28, 29, 30* |
| (P8, P5/4) | quarter-5th | 13, 14*, 20, 21*, 27, 28* |
| (P8, P11/4) | quarter-11th | 14, 17, 20, 28*, 31 |
| (P8, P12/4) | quarter-12th | 13b, 15*, 18b, 20*, 23, 25*, 28, 30* |
| (P8/4, P4/2) | quarter-8ve, half-4th | 20, 24, 28 |
| (P8/2, M2/4) | half-8ve, quarter-tone | 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 |
| (P8/2, P4/4) | half-8ve, quarter-4th | 18b, 20*, 28, 30* |
| (P8/2, P5/4) | half-8ve, quarter-5th | 14, 20, 28* |
| (P8/4, P4/3) | quarter-8ve, third-4th | 28 |
| (P8/4, P5/3) | quarter-8ve, third-5th | 16, 20 |
| (P8/4, P11/3) | quarter-8ve, third-11th | |
| (P8/3, P4/4) | third-8ve, quarter-4th | 18b*, 30 |
| (P8/3, P5/4) | third-8ve, quarter-5th | 21, 27 |
| (P8/3, P11/4) | third-8ve, quarter-11th | |
| (P8/3, P12/4) | third-8ve, quarter-12th | 15, 18b, 30* |
| (P8/4, P4/4) | quarter-everything | 20, 28 |
The edos that support the fewest pergens are prime-number edos like 11edo or 13edo. The most "pergen-friendly" edos tend to be ones in which the circle of 5ths doesn't reach every edostep. For example, 24edo supports all half-split pergens, since both P8 and P5 map to an even number of edosteps. 72edo supports all half-splits and all third-splits. 15, 21 and 36 edo support many but not all third-splits (not those with m = 2 or n = 2).
Notating a pergen tuned to an EDO
If both the pergen and the EDO are notated with ups and downs, what is the relationship between the two kinds of up? If the edo supports the pergen, fully or partially, then the pergen's up equals some multiple of the EDO's up, i.e. some number of edosteps. For third-4th in 22edo or 29edo, the pergen's up = 1 edostep. But in 37edo or 44edo, ^1 = 2 edosteps. For half-8ve in 12edo, ^1 = 0 edosteps, and the ups and downs in the score can simply be ignored. In fact, it seems every pergen in 5edo, 7edo and 12edo has ^1 = 0 edosteps. It's not yet known why.
When notating a piece in a specific pergen meant to be played in a specific EDO, either the pergen notation or the EDO notation can be used. For small or mid-sized EDOs, they're usually identical. If one has to choose, the pergen notation is generally preferred. It's less cluttered. Also, it's easier to mentally double every up and down in larger EDOs than it is to halve them in smaller EDOs.
Half-8ve in 22edo has P = vA4. But in 16edo, P = A4 + 2 edosteps, and ^1 = -2 edosteps. Negative edosteps means up is down, and should be avoided. The notation has tipped, and the period should be notated as ^A4, making ^1 = 2 edostep. Even better would be P = ^4, making ^1 = 1 edostep.
Half-5th has EI = vvA1, hence any EDO in which A1 = 4 edosteps will have ^1 = 2 edosteps. These "doubled EDOs" are 20, 27, 34, 41, 48, 55, etc. The "tripled EDOs" with A1 = 6 edosteps and ^1 = 3 edosteps are every 7th EDO from 30 to 72.
Half-4th has EI = vvm2. Doubled EDOs have m2 = 4 edosteps. These are 23, 28, 33, 38, 43, 48, 53, etc. Tripled EDOs are every 5th one from 47 to 72.
Third-4th has EI = v3A1. Doubled EDOs are the same ones as half-5th's tripled EDOs. Third-5th has EI = v3m2. Doubled EDOs are the same as half-4th's tripled EDOs.
The relationship between a pergen's up and an EDO's up when the pergen uses double-pair notation is complex. Consider half-everything, notated with ups/downs in the perchain and lifts/drops in the genchain. 10edo has ^1 = 1 edostep and /1 = 0 edosteps, thus one simply ignores lifts and drops. But for 24edo, ^1 = 0 edosteps and /1 = 1 edostep. One must ignore ups and downs and convert lifts/drops to edosteps.
Pergens Within An EDO
See the screenshots in the Supplemental Materials section for a complete list of which pergens are supported by 12, 15 and 19 edo. The list includes multiple pergens per period/generator combination. The next table shows only the simplest pergen for each combination. Combinations are excluded if the period and generator are not coprime, because the scale is contained in a smaller edo. For example, 15edo has no unsplit pergen, because those scales are contained in 5edo. Periods of 1 or 2 edosteps are excluded as too trivial, because the scale is the entire edo. Every step of the edo appears in the genchains, even if the chains are only one step long.
To find the pergen, find the edo, then find the row that corresponds to the period, then find the column that corresponds to the generator. It appears, but has yet to be formally proven, that the number of P/G combinations that N-edo supports is (N-1)/2 rounded down. If we include the trivial combination where P = 1 edostep, the number of combinations would be N/2 rounded up.
| EDO | Period | Generator in edosteps | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in edosteps | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 5 | 5 = P8 | P4/2 | P5 | |||||||||
| 6 | 6 = P8 | P4/2 | - | |||||||||
| " | 3 = P8/2 | P5 | ||||||||||
| 7 | 7 = P8 | P4/3 | P5/2 | P5 | ||||||||
| 8 | 8 = P8 | P4/3 | - | P5 | ||||||||
| " | 4 = P8/2 | P5 | - | |||||||||
| 9 | 9 = P8 | P4/4 | P4/2 | - | P5 | |||||||
| " | 3 = P8/3 | P5 | ||||||||||
| 10 | 10 = P8 | P4/4 | - | P5/2 | - | |||||||
| " | 5 = P8/2 | P5 | P4/2 | |||||||||
| 11 | 11 = P8 | P4/5 | P5/3 | P5/2 | P11/4 | P5 | ||||||
| 12 | 12 = P8 | P4/5 | - | - | - | P5 | ||||||
| " | 6 = P8/2 | P5 | - | - | ||||||||
| " | 4 = P8/3 | P5 | - | |||||||||
| " | 3 = P8/4 | P5 | ||||||||||
| 13b | 13 = P8 | P4/6 | P4/3 | P4/2 | P12/5 | P12/4 | P5 | |||||
| 14 | 14 = P8 | P4/6 | - | P4/2 | - | P11/4 | - | |||||
| " | 7 = P8/2 | P5 | P4/3 | P4/2 | ||||||||
| 15 | 15 = P8 | P4/6 | P4/3 | - | P12/6 | - | - | P11/3 | ||||
| " | 5 = P8/3 | P5 | P4/2 | |||||||||
| " | 3 = P8/5 | P4/3 | ||||||||||
| 16 | 16 = P8 | P4/7 | - | P5/3 | - | P12/5 | - | P5 | ||||
| " | 8 = P8/2 | P5 | - | P5/3 | - | |||||||
| " | 4 = P8/4 | P5 | - | |||||||||
| 17 | 17 = P8 | P4/7 | P5/5 | P11/8 | P11/6 | P5/2 | P11/4 | P5 | P11/3 | |||
| 18b | 18 = P8 | P4/8 | - | - | - | P5/2 | - | P12/4 | - | |||
| " | 9 = P8/2 | P5 | P4/4 | - | P4/2 | |||||||
| " | 6 = P8/3 | P5/2 | - | - | ||||||||
| " | 3 = P8/6 | P5 | ||||||||||
| 19 | 19 = P8 | P4/8 | P4/4 | P11/9 | P4/2 | P12/6 | P12/5 | ccP5/7 | P5 | P11/3 | ||
| 20 | 20 = P8 | P4/8 | - | P5/4 | - | - | - | P11/4 | - | c3P5/8 | ||
| " | 10 = P8/2 | M2/4 | - | P5/4 | - | - | ||||||
| " | 5 = P8/4 | P4/2 | P5 | |||||||||
| " | 4 = P8/5 | P5/4 | - | |||||||||
| 21 | 21 = P8 | P4/9 | P5/6 | - | P5/3 | P11/6 | - | - | c3P4/9 | - | P11/3 | |
| " | 7 = P8/3 | P5/2 | P5 | P4/3 | ||||||||
| " | 3 = P8/7 | P5/3 | ||||||||||
| 22 | 22 = P8 | P4/9 | - | P4/3 | - | P12/7 | - | P12/5 | - | P5 | - | |
| " | 11 = P8/2 | M2/4 | P5 | P4/3 | P12/5 | P12/7 | ||||||
| 23 | 23 = P8 | P4/10 | P4/5 | P11/11 | P12/9 | P4/2 | P12/6 | ccP4/8 | ccP4/7 | P12/4 | P5 | P11/3 |
| 24 | 24 = P8 | P4/10 | - | - | - | P4/2 | - | P5/2 | - | - | - | c4P5/10 |
| " | 12 = P8/2 | M2/4 | - | - | - | P4/2 | ||||||
| " | 8 = P8/3 | P5/2 | - | P4/2 | ||||||||
| " | 6 = P8/4 | P4/2 | - | - | ||||||||
| " | 4 = P8/6 | P4/2 | - | |||||||||
| " | 3 = P8/8 | P5 | ||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | ||
Larger edos can have very awkward pergens. For example, 31edo with G = 14/31 is (P8, c5P4/12). It's much simpler to think of the generator as the downfifth = 17\31, and the pergen as the pseudopergen (P8, v5).
EDO-pair names
Just as a pair of edos and a prime subgroup can specify a rank-2 temperament, a pair of edos can specify a rank-2 pergen. For N-edo & N'-edo, m = GCD (N,N'). The period P equals both (N/m)\N and (N'/m)\N'. For example, for 12edo and 16edo, m = 4, and the period is both 3\12 and 4\16.
For each edo, find the nearest edomapping (patent val) for the 2.3 subgroup. If the edo has a "b" wart, e.g. 13b-edo, use the second-nearest edomapping. Form a 2x2 matrix from these edomappings. Let d be the determinant of this matrix. If d = m, -m or 0, the generator is the 5th, and the pergen is simply (P8/m, P5).
For example, 12edo's 3-limit edomapping is (12, 19), and 16edo's is (16, 25). The determinant of [(12 19) (16 25)] is -4, thus the pergen for 12edo and 16edo is (P8/4, P5). To make the calculations easier, octave-reduced edomappings can be used, which indicate the number of edosteps that 3/2 maps to, not 3/1. For 12 and 16, we have [(12 7) (16 9)], and d is again -4.
If |d| ≠ m or 0, P5 is not the generator, and we must find the multigen. Take the ratio of the two edos N/N' and reduce it by m. In the scale tree (pdf or jpeg), let g/g' be the smallest ancestor of this ratio. The generator G maps to both g\N and g'\N'. The two edos come closest to coinciding here.
For example, for 7-edo and 17-edo, m = 1 but d = 2, so G ≠ P5. The smallest ancestor of 7/17 is 2/5. G maps to both 2\7 and 5\17, which are both neutral 3rds. Using the other ancestor always gives the octave inverses, in this case 5/12 giving 5\7 and 12\17, which are neutral 6ths. 2\7 = 343¢ and 5\17 = 353¢, and their difference is only 1\N", where N" = LCM (N, N'). This 10¢ difference is the least difference between any 7edo note and any 17edo note, except that the two neutral 6ths differ by the same 10¢, and of course some note pairs coincide exactly, such as 0\7 and 0\17.
Next we must find a comma that both edos temper out, and find the pergen from that comma. To do this, extend the edomappings to three entries. Rather than finding the mapping of 5/4 or 7/4, we use the generator we found from the scale tree, without concerning ourselves about which ratio it corresponds to, in keeping with the higher-prime-agnostic nature of pergens. Treating the two edomappings as 3-D vectors, take the cross product of them, whch makes a new vector which is perpendicular to both. Thus the dot product of this new vector with either edomapping is zero. Treating this new vector as a monzo, since the dot product is zero, both edos map this monzo to zero edosteps. In other words, they temper out this monzo, and this monzo is the comma we're looking for. If the comma is (a, b, c), then a·P8 + b·P5 + c·G = 0, and G = (b-a, -b) / c.
For example, for 7-edo and 17-edo, the edomappings are (7, 4, 2) and (17, 10, 5). Their cross product is (0, -1, 2). This comma equates two generators with a 5th. The pergen is obviously (P8, P5/2).
To verify the validity of this approach, one can find a specific JI ratio that maps to both 2\7 and 5\17 and use it to construct a comma. The ratio must contain only one higher prime, and must have color depth 1. If desired, a ratio of the form p/t can always be found, where p is a higher prime and t is a power of two. Any ratio between 3\14 and 5\14 maps to 2\7, and any ratio between 9\34 and 11\34 maps to 5\17. (The formula is (2n±1)/2d.) This gives us the ranges 257-429¢ and 318-388¢. Thus 5/4 barely works. The comma is (0, -1, 2) dot (2/1, 3/2, 5/4) = 25/24 (Dicot aka Yoyo). 11/9 also works, it yields 243/242 (Mohajira aka Lulu).
If the two edos have the same 5th, such as 12edo and 24edo do, the 5th is some multiple of the period, and the pergen is a multi-EDO pergen.
If the 1st edo is 7edo, the pergen indicates the natural heptatonic notation for the 2nd edo, e.g. 12edo = unsplit, 15edo = third-4th and 17edo = half-5th.
The closer two edos are in the scale tree, the smaller the splitting fractions in the pergen they make. Examples:
| 12-edo | 13b-edo | 14-edo | 15-edo | 16-edo | 17-edo | 18b-edo | 19-edo | 20-edo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13b-edo | (P8, P5/7) | ||||||||
| 14-edo | (P8/2, P5) | (P8, P4/6) | |||||||
| 15-edo | (P8/3, P5) | (P8, c5P5/12) | (P8, P4/6) | ||||||
| 16-edo | (P8/4, P5) | (P8, P12/5) | (P8/2, P5) | (P8, P5/9) | |||||
| 17-edo | (P8, P5) | (P8, ccP5/11) | (P8, P11/4) | (P8, P11/3) | (P8/2, P4/7) | ||||
| 18b-edo | (P8/6, P5) | (P8, P12/4) | (P8/2, P4/2) | (P8/3, P12/4) | (P8/2, P5) | (P8, P5/10) | |||
| 19-edo | (P8, P5) | (P8, P12/10) | (P8, P4/2) | (P8, P12/6) | (P8, P12/5) | (P8, P11/3) | (P8, P4/8) | ||
| 20-edo | (P8/4, P5) | (P8, ccP4/16) | (P8/2, P5/4) | (P8/5, ^1) | (P8/4, P5/3) | (P8, P11/4) | (P8/2, P4/8) | (P8, P4/8) | |
| 21-edo | (P8/3, P5) | (P8, c3P4/9) | (P8/7, ^1) | (P8/3, P4/3) | (P8, P5/3) | (P8, P11/6) | (P8/3, P5/2) | (P8, P11/3) | (P8, P5/12) |
| 22-edo | (P8/2, P5) | (P8, c3P4/15) | (P8/2, P4/3) | (P8, P4/3) | (P8/2, P12/5) | (P8, P5) | (P8/2, P12/7) | (P8, P12/5) | (P8/2, M2/4) |
| 23-edo | (P8, P4/5) | (P8, ccP4/8) | (P8, P4/2) | (P8, P12/12) | (P8, P5) | (P8, P12/9) | (P8, P12/4) | (P8, P12/6) | (P8, c5P5/16) |
| 24-edo | (P8/12, ^1) | (P8, c6P4/14) | (P8/2, P4/2) | (P8/3, P4/2) | (P8/8, P5) | (P8, P5/2) | (P8/6, P4/2) | (P8, P4/2) | (P8/4, P4/2) |
A specific pergen can be converted to an edo pair by finding the range of its generator cents in the arbitrary generator table, looking up that cents in the scale tree, and finding a conveniently-sized parent-child pair of edos in that range. For example, half-5th has a generator in the 320-360¢ range, and that part of the scale tree has among others 2\7, 3\10 and 5\17. Any two of edos 7, 10 and 17 defines (P8, P5/2).
Array Keyboards (unfinished)
Array keyboards have a 2-dimensional layout of keys, and are very appropriate for rank-2 tunings. A good layout can be found from the tuning's pergen. First find an edo N-edo that is compatible with the pergen, then arrange the keys in N columns to the 8ve, with each row usually containing the multigen interval. The unsplit pergen in 7 columns:
| D# | |||||||
| D | E | F# | G# | A# | |||
| Db | Eb | F | G | A | B | C# | D# |
| Gb | Ab | Bb | C | D | |||
| Db |
Higher notes are at the top of each column. The rows would actually be angled so that the two D's are at the same horizontal level. The vertical steps are A1 and the horizontal steps are M2, and the keyboard is defined as 7(A1, M2).
The third-4th keyboard is 7(A1/3 = ^1 = vvA1, P4/3 = vM2 = ^^m2).
| vD# | ^E | F# | vG# | ^A | B | vC# | ^D |
| ^D | E | vF# | ^G | A | vB | ^C | D |
| D | vE | ^F | G | vA | ^B | C | vD |
| vD | ^Eb | F | vG | ^Ab | Bb | vC | ^Db |
Hypothesis: Let the 5th's keyspan (i.e. column-span) be F. In order for the keyboard to have the pitches in order, the fifth must fall between the two Stern-Brocot ancestors of F\N (simplified if possible). For example, an 8-column keyboard has F = 5, the ancestors of 5\8 are 3\5 and 2\3, and the 5th must be between 720¢ and 800¢. Thus the most musically useful N values are 5, 7, 10, 12 and 14.
(more to come)
Supplemental materials
Notation guide PDF
This PDF is a rank-2 notation guide that shows the full lattice for the first 32 pergens, up through the quarter-splits block. It also includes the single-split pergens from the fifth-split, sixth-split and seventh-split blocks. It includes alternate enharmonics for many pergens.
TallKite.com/misc_files/notation guide for rank-2 pergens.pdf
| unsplit | quarter-splits | single-split fifth-splits | single-split seventh-splits | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (P8, P5) | unsplit | 16 | (P8/4, P5) | quarter-8ve | 33 | (P8/5, P5) | fifth-8ve | 96 | (P8/7, P5) | seventh-8ve |
| half-splits | 17 | (P8, P4/4) | quarter-4th | 34 | (P8, P4/5) | fifth-4th | 97 | (P8, P4/7) | seventh-4th | ||
| 2 | (P8/2, P5) | half-8ve | 18 | (P8, P5/4) | quarter-5th | 35 | (P8, P5/5) | fifth-5th | 98 | (P8, P5/7) | seventh-5th |
| 3 | (P8, P4/2) | half-4th | 19 | (P8, P11/4) | quarter-11th | 36 | (P8, P11/5) | fifth-11th | 99 | (P8, P11/7) | seventh-11th |
| 4 | (P8, P5/2) | half-5th | 20 | (P8, P12/4) | quarter-12th | 37 | (P8, P12/5) | fifth-12th | 100 | (P8, P12/7) | seventh-12th |
| 5 | (P8/2, P4/2) * | half-everything * | 21 | (P8/4, P4/2) * | quarter-8ve, half-4th * | 38 | (P8, ccP4/5) | fifth-coco-4th | 101 | (P8, ccP4/7) | seventh-coco-4th |
| third-splits | 22 | (P8/2, M2/4) | half-8ve, quarter-tone | single-split sixth-splits | 102 | (P8, ccP5/7) | seventh-coco-5th | ||||
| 6 | (P8/3, P5) | third-8ve | 23 | (P8/2, P4/4) * | half-8ve, quarter-4th * | 64 | (P8/6, P5) | sixth-8ve | 103 | (P8, c3P4/7) | seventh-trico-4th |
| 7 | (P8, P4/3) | third-4th | 24 | (P8/2, P5/4) * | half-8ve, quarter-5th * | 65 | (P8, P4/6) | sixth-4th | |||
| 8 | (P8, P5/3) | third-5th | 25 | (P8/4, P4/3) | quarter-8ve, third-4th | 66 | (P8, P5/6) | sixth-5th | |||
| 9 | (P8, P11/3) | third-11th | 26 | (P8/4, P5/3) | quarter-8ve, third-5th | 67 | (P8, P11/6) | sixth-11th | |||
| 10 | (P8/3, P4/2) | third-8ve, half-4th | 27 | (P8/4, P11/3) | quarter-8ve, third-11th | 68 | (P8, P12/6) | sixth-12th | |||
| 11 | (P8/3, P5/2) | third-8ve, half-5th | 28 | (P8/3, P4/4) | third-8ve, quarter-4th | 69 | (P8, ccP4/6) | sixth-coco-4th | |||
| 12 | (P8/2, P4/3) | half-8ve, third-4th | 29 | (P8/3, P5/4) | third-8ve, quarter-5th | 70 | (P8, ccP5/6) | sixth-coco-5th | |||
| 13 | (P8/2, P5/3) | half-8ve, third-5th | 30 | (P8/3, P11/4) | third-8ve, quarter-11th | ||||||
| 14 | (P8/2, P11/3) | half-8ve, third-11th | 31 | (P8/3, P12/4) | third-8ve, quarter-12th | ||||||
| 15 | (P8/3, P4/3) * | third-everything * | 32 | (P8/4, P4/4) * | quarter-everything * | ||||||
Screenshots of the first 2 pages:
PergenLister
PergenLister lists out thousands of rank-2 pergens, and suggests periods, generators and enharmonics for each one. Alternate enharmonics are not listed, but single-pair notation for false-double pergens is. It can also list only those pergens supported by a specific edo or edo pair.
http://www.tallkite.com/apps/pergenLister.html (written in Jesusonic, runs inside Reaper or ReaJS)
The first section (PERGEN and Per/Gen cents) describes each pergen without regard to notational issues. The period and generator's cents are given, assuming a 5th of 700¢ + c. The generator is reduced, e.g. (P8/2, P5) has a generator of 100¢ + c, not 700¢ + c. The next two sections show a possible notation for P and G. The last section shows the unreduced pergen, and for false doubles, a possible single-pair notation. Horizontal lines group the pergens into blocks (half-splits, third-splits, etc). Red indicates problems. Generators of 50¢ or less are in red. Enharmonics of a 3rd or more are in red.
Screenshots of the first 69 pergens:
The first 29 pergens supported by 12edo:
Some of the pergens supported by 15edo. A red asterisk means partial support.
Pergens supported by 19edo. Edos that are a prime number support only 1 pergen per block.
Listing all valid pergens is not a trivial task, like listing all valid edos or all valid MOS scales. Not all combinations of octave fractions and multigen fractions make a valid pergen. The search for rank-2 pergens can be done by looping through all possible square mappings [(x, y), (0, z)], and using the formula (P8/x, (i·z - y, x) / xz). While x is always positive and z is always nonzero, y can take on any value. For any x and z, y can be constrained to produce a reasonable cents value for 3/1. Let T be the tempered twefth 3/1. The mapping says T = y·P + z·G = y·P8/x + z·G. Thus y = x·(T/P8 - z·G/P8). We adopt the convention that G is less than half an octave. We constrain T so that the 5th is between 600¢ and 800¢, which certainly includes anything that sounds like a 5th. Thus T is between 3/2 and 5/3 of an octave. We assume that if the octave is stretched, the ranges of T and G will be stretched along with it. The outer ranges of y can now be computed, using the floor function to round down to the nearest integer, and the ceiling function to round up:
If z > 0, then y is at least ceiling (x·(3/2 - z/2)) and at most floor (x·5/3)
If z < 0, then y is at least ceiling (x·3/2) and at most floor (x·(5/3 - z/2))
Next we loop through all combinations of x and z in such a way that larger values of x and z come last:
i = 1; loop (maxFraction,
- j = 1; loop (i - 1,
- makeMapping (i, j); makeMapping (i, -j);
- makeMapping (j, i); makeMapping (j, -i);
- j += 1;
- );
- makeMapping (i, i); makeMapping (i, -i);
- i += 1;
);
The makeMapping function uses the two parameters as x and z, and loops through all valid values of y. Every value of i from -x to x is tested, and the one that minimizes the multigen's splitting fraction and cents is chosen. This combination of x, y, z and i makes a valid pergen. If the pergen is of the form (P8/m, P4), it's converted to (P8/m, P5). This pergen is added to the list, unless it's a duplicate. The pergens are almost but not quite in the proper order, they need to be sorted. Experimenting with allowing y and i to range further does not produce any additional pergens.
Various proofs (unfinished)
Although not yet rigorously proven, the two false-double tests have been empirically verified by pergenLister.
The interval P8/2 has a "ratio" of the square root of 2, which equals 21/2, and its monzo can be written with fractions as (1/2, 0). In general, the pergen (P8/m, (a,b)/n) implies P = (1/m, 0) and G = (a/n, b/n). These equations make the pergen matrix [(1/m 0) (a/n b/n)], which is P and G in terms of P8 and P12. Its inverse is [(m 0) (-am/b n/b)], which is P8 and P12 in terms of P and G, i.e. the square mapping.
Because we started with a valid pergen, the square mapping must be an integer matrix. Since n/b is an integer, n must be a multiple of |b|. From this it follows that a and b must be coprime, otherwise a, b, and n could all be reduced by GCD (a,b), and the multigen could be simplified. Since GCD (a, b) = 1 and -am/b is an integer, it follows that m must be a multiple of |b| as well.
Thus GCD (m,n) = |b| · GCD (m/|b|, n/|b|) = |b| · r. If r = 1, then GCD (m, n) = |b|, and vice versa, which is the proposed test for a false double.
If m = |b|, is the pergen explicitly false? Does splitting (a,b) into n generators also split P8 into m periods?
(a+b)·P8 = (a+b,0) = (a,b) - (-b,b) = M - b·P5
Because n is a multiple of b, n/b is an integer
M/b = (n/b)·M/n = (n/b)·G
(a+b)·P8 = b·(M/b - P5) = b·((n/b)·G - P5)
Let c and d be the bezout pair of a+b and b, with c·(a+b) + d·b = 1
Since the pergen is a double-split, m > 1, therefore |b| > 1, therefore c ≠ 0
c·(a+b)·P8 = c·b·((n/b)·G - P5)
(1 - d·b)·P8 = c·b·((n/b)·G - P5)
P8 = d·b·P8 + c·b·((n/b)·G - P5) = b · (d·P8 + c·(n/b)·G - c·P5)
P8/m = P8/|b| = sign (b) · (d·P8 - c·P5 + c·(n/b)·G)
Therefore P8 is split into m periods
Therefore if m = |b|, the pergen is explicitly false
Assume the pergen is a false double, and there's a comma C that splits both P8 and (a,b) appropriately. Can we prove r = 1? Let Q = the higher prime that C uses. Express P, G and C as monzos of the prime subgroup 2.3.Q, by expanding the 2x2 pergen matrix to a 3x3 matrix A:
P = (1/m, 0, 0)
G = (a/n, b/n, 0)
C = (u, v, w)
Here u, v and w are integers. If GCD (u, v, w) > 1, simplify C so that it = 1. The inverse of A expresses 2, 3 and Q in terms of P, G and C. If C is tempered out, the C column can be discarded, making the usual 3x2 period-generator mapping. However, if C is not tempered out, the inverse of A is a 3x3 period-generator-comma mapping, which is simply a change of basis. For example, 5-limit JI can be generated by 2/1, 3/2 and 81/80. Here is the inverse of A:
2 = 2/1 = P8 = (m, 0, 0) · (P, G, C)
3 = 3/1 = P12 = (-am/b, n/b, 0) · (P, G, C)
Q = Q/1 = ((av-bu)m/wb, -vn/wb, 1/w) · (P, G, C)
Fractions are allowed in the first two rows of A but not the 3rd row. Fractions are allowed in the last column of A-inverse, but not the first two columns. Every pergen except the unsplit one requires |w| > 1, so the last column almost always has a fraction. To avoid fractions in the first two columns, A must be unimodular [I think, not sure], and we have wb/mn = ±1, and w = ±mn/b. Substituting for w, we have:
2 = 2/1 = P8 = (m, 0, 0) · (P, G, C)
3 = 3/1 = P12 = (-am/b, n/b, 0) · (P, G, C)
Q = Q/1 = (±(av-bu)/n, ±(-v)/m, ±b/mn) · (P, G, C)
For v/m to be an integer, v must equal i·m for some integer i. Likewise, av-bu must equal j·n for some integer j. Thus bu = av - jn = iam - jn. Let p = m/rb and q = n/rb, where p and q are coprime integers, nonzero but possibly negative. Then m = prb and n = qrb. Substituting, we get bu = iaprb - jqrb, and u = r(iap - jq). Furthermore, v = im = iprb and w = ±mn/b = ±pqrrb. Thus u, v and w are all divisible by r. If r > 1, this contradicts the requirement that GCD (u, v, w) = 1, therefore r must be 1, and GCD (m, n) = |b|, and all false doubles pass the false-double test.
Assuming r = 1, can we prove the existence of C = (u, v, w) for some prime Q?
Assume r = 1 and GCD (m, n) = 1. Let G be the generator, with a 2.3.Q monzo of the form (x, y, ±1) for some unspecified higher prime Q. x and y are chosen so that the cents of (a,b) is about n times the cents of G. If the pergen is explicitly false, with m = |b|, the 2.3.Q comma C can be found from the 2nd half of the pergen: (a,b) + C = n·G, and C = (n·x - a, n·y - b, ±n). Obviously C splits (a,b) into n parts. Does it split P8 into m parts? Let q = nr/b as before, but with r = 1, it simplifies to q = n/b.
a·P8 + C = (n·x, n·y - b, ±n) = (qbx, qby - b, ±qb) = b·(q·x, q·y - 1, ±q)
Thus a·P8 splits into b parts, and since m = |b|, a·P8 splits into m parts. Proceed as before with a bezout pair to find the monzo for P8/m.
Next, assume the pergen isn't explicitly false. The unreduced form is (P8/m, (n - am, -bm) / mn). Substituting in m = pb and n = qb, with p and q coprime, we get (P8/m, (q - ap, -pb) / pqb).
Assume the pergen is a true double, and r > 1. Then P8 = m·P = prb·P = r·(pb·P), and P8 splits into (at least) r parts. Furthermore, P12 = (-am/b)P + (n/b)G = -apr·P + qr·G = r·(-ap·P + q·G), and P12 also splits into at least r parts. Thus every 3-limit interval splits into at least r parts.
Given a pergen (P8/m, (a,b)/n), how many parts is an arbitrary interval (a',b') split into?
(a',b') = (a'·b, b'·b) / b = (a'·b - a·b', 0) / b + (a·b', b'·b) / b = (a'·b - a·b')·P8 / b + b'·(a,b) / b = (a'·b - a·b')·(m/b)·P + b'·(n/b)·G
Therefore (a',b') is split into GCD (a'·b - a·b')·(m/b), b'·(n/b)) parts.
If m = 1, then b = ±1, and we have GCD (a' ± a·b', b'·n)
If n = 1, then a = -1 and b = 1, and we have GCD (a'·m + b'·m, b') = GCD (a'·m, b')
If m = 1 and n = 1, we have GCD (a', b') = the naturally occurring split.
If m = n (nth-everything), we have n · GCD (a', b')
The multigen and the arbitrary interval can be expressed as gedras:
(a,b) = [k,s] = (-11k+19s, 7k-12s)
(a',b') = [k',s'] = (-11k'+19s', 7k'-12s')
a'·b - a·b' works out to be k·s' - k'·s, and we have GCD ((k·s' - k'·s)·m/b, b'·n/b)
If s is a multiple of n (happens when EI is an A1) and s' is a multiple of n, let s = x·n and s' = y·n
GCD ((k·y·n - k'·x·n)·m/b, b'·n/b) = (n/b) · GCD (x·m·(y·k - k'), b')
Thus every such interval is split, e.g. the half-5th pergen splits every 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th, including aug, dim, major and minor ones. This is an easy way to determine if an interval is split or not by the pergen.
To prove: if r = 1, it's a false double, and (a,b)/n splits P8 into m parts
if r > 1, it's a true double
a·P8 = (a,0) = (a,b) - (0,b) = M - b·P12
M = n·G = qrb·G
a·P8 = qrb·G - b·P12 = b·(qr·G - P12)
Let c and d be the bezout pair of a and b, with c·a + d·b = 1
If |b| = 1, let c = 1 and d = ±a, to avoid c = 0
ca·P8 = cb·(qr·G - P12)
(1 - d·b)·P8 = c·b·(qr·G - P12)
P8 = d·b·P8 + c·b·(qr·G - P12) = b · (d·P8 + cqr·G - c·P12) = b · (d,-c) + bcqr·G
Glossary
to find the definition, use control-F to search for the first (bolded) occurrence of the word on this page.
pergen
split
multigen
ups and downs (the ^ and v symbols)
higher prime (any prime > 3)
color depth
dependent/independent
square mapping
lifts and drops (the / and \ symbols)
enharmonic interval, EI
uninflected
genchain
perchain
compound (increased by an octave)
single-split, double-split
single-pair, double-pair (number of new accidentals in the notation)
true double, false double
explicitly false
unreduced
alternate vs. equivalent (generator or period)
mapping comma
keyspan
stepspan
gedra
count
mid
edomapping
upspan
liftspan
chain number
single-chain
multi-chain
arrow comma
Miscellaneous Notes
Combining pergens
Tempering out 250/243 creates third-4th, and 49/48 creates half-4th, and tempering out both commas creates sixth-4th. Therefore (P8, P4/3) + (P8, P4/2) = (P8, P4/6). If adding a comma to a temperament doesn't change the pergen, it's a strong extension, otherwise it's a weak extension.
General rules for combining pergens:
- (P8/m, M/n) + (P8, P5) = (P8/m, M/n)
- (P8/m, P5) + (P8, M/n) = (P8/m, M/n)
- (P8/m, P5) + (P8/m', P5) = (P8/m", P5), where m" = LCM (m,m')
- (P8, M/n) + (P8, M/n') = (P8, M/n"), where n" = LCM (n,n')
However, (P8/2, M2/4) + (P8, P4/2) = (P8/4, P4/2), so the sum isn't always obvious.
If a false double pergen can be broken down into two simpler ones, that may help with finding a double-pair notation with an enharmonic of a 2nd or less. For example, sixth-4th's single pair notation has an EI of a 4th. But since sixth-4th is half-4th plus third-4th, and those two have a good EI, sixth-4th can be notated with one pair from half-4th and another from third-4th.
Expanding gedras
Gedras can be expanded to 5-limit or higher by including another keyspan that is compatible with 7 and 12, such as 9 or 16. But a more useful approach is for the third number to be the comma 81/80. Thus 5/4 would be a M3 minus a comma, [4, 2, -1]. We can use 64/63 to expand to the 7-limit. For (a,b,c,d) we get [k,s,g,r]:
k = 12a + 19b + 28c + 34d
s = 7a + 11b + 14c + 20d
g = -c
r = -d
a = -11k + 19s - 4g + 6r
b = 7k - 12s + 4g - 2r
c = -g
d = -r
Gedras can also be expanded by adding an entry for ups/downs. The entry shows the upspan, which is the number of ups the interval has. Downed intervals have a negative upspan. An entry for liftspan can also be added. For example, vM3 = [4,2,-1], and ^^\4 = [5,3,2,-1].
Height of a pergen
The LCM of the pergen's two splitting fractions could be called the height of the pergen. For example, (P8, P5) has height 1, and (P8/2, M2/4) has height 4. In single-pair notation, the enharmonic interval's number of ups or downs is equal to the height. The minimum number of ups or downs needed to notate the temperament is half the height, rounded down. If the height is 4 or 5, double-ups and double-downs will be needed.
Credits
Pergens were discovered by Kite Giedraitis in 2017, and developed with the help of Praveen Venkataramana.
Addenda (late 2023)
New terminology
All temperaments have a chain number, which is the number of fifthchains in the temperament's lattice. Any (P8, P5) temperament has a chain number of 1, and is single-chain. All other pergens are multi-chain. For example, Porcupine/Triyo has pergen (P8, P4/3) and is triple-chain. Diaschismatic/Sagugu has pergen (P8/2, P5) and is double-chain. A pergen (P8/m, M/n) has chain number m * n / f, where M is the multigen and f is the absolute value of M's fifthspan. For example (P8/2, M2/4) is quadruple-chain.
The EI(s) define the pergen
The pergen can be derived directly from the EI(s). Thus the EI(s) define both the pergen and the notation. An EI can be thought of as a comma in the 2.3.^ subgroup. One derives a mapping from this comma as one would for any 3-prime comma, and one derives the pergen by inverting the first 2 columns of the mapping.
For example, if the EI is vvd2, the 2.3.^ monzo is [19 -12 -2]. There are many possible mappings, but only one that gives a canonical pergen: [(2 2 7) (0 1 -6)]. Discarding the last column and inverting gives us [(1/2 0) (-1 1)] = (P8/2, P5). Another example: vvA1 = [-11 7 -2]. The mapping [(1 1 -2) (0 2 7)] reduces to [(1 1) (0 2)], which inverts to [(1 0) (-1/2 1/2)] = (P8, P5/2).
One can explore the universe of possible EI's, and thus possible pergen notations, more easily if using the gedra format, expressing the EI as a combination of A1's, d2's and arrows. Thus vvA1 = [1 0 -2], v3m2 = [1 1 -3], etc. Unlike a conventional 2.3.^ monzo, the first two numbers in a A1.d2.^1 monzo are fairly small, and the second number is never negative (since it's an EI). And we can require that the first two numbers be coprime (see the next section). All this facilitates one's search.
Simplifying a "squared" EI
Consider an uninflected EI of AA1. AA1 is "squared" in the sense that AA1 = A1 + A1, thus both numbers in its ratio are square numbers. If it had an even upspan (the number of ups), it would obviously be an invalid EI, for if v4AA1 = 0¢, then so does vvA1, and v4AA1 could be replaced with vvA1. So the upspan must be odd.
Consider an EI of v3AA1. The pergen is (P8, P4/3). Here are the twin squares.
[math] \begin{array} {rrr} \text{P8} \\ \text{^m2} \\ \text{vvvAA1} \\ \end{array} \left[ \begin{array} {rrr} 1 & 0 & {\color {Green}0} \\ 8 & -5 & {\color {Green}1} \\ \hline {\color {Red}-22} & {\color {Red}14} & -3 \\ \end{array} \right] \longleftrightarrow \left[ \begin{array} {rrr} 1 & 2 & {\color {Red}2} \\ 0 & -3 & {\color {Red}-14} \\ \hline {\color {Green}0} & {\color {Green}-1} & -5 \\ \end{array} \right] [/math]
The two red numbers in the lower left are both even, because AA1 is a squared ratio. As a result, the two red numbers in the upper right must both be even to ensure their rows' dot products with the EI are zero, which is an even number. If we halve all the red numbers and double all the green numbers, all the various row dot products will be unchanged, and the twin squares will remain valid:
[math] \begin{array} {rrr} \text{P8} \\ \text{^^m2} \\ \text{vvvA1} \\ \end{array} \left[ \begin{array} {rrr} 1 & 0 & {\color {Green}0} \\ 8 & -5 & {\color {Green}2} \\ \hline {\color {Red}-11} & {\color {Red}7} & -3 \\ \end{array} \right] \longleftrightarrow \left[ \begin{array} {rrr} 1 & 2 & {\color {Red}1} \\ 0 & -3 & {\color {Red}-7} \\ \hline {\color {Green}0} & {\color {Green}-2} & -5 \\ \end{array} \right] [/math]
But while the EI has become simpler, the generator has become more complex in that it is dup not up. This is remedied by adding the EI to it. Changes are in red:
[math] \begin{array} {rrr} \text{P8} \\ \text{vM2} \\ \text{vvvA1} \\ \end{array} \left[ \begin{array} {rrr} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ {\color {Red}-3} & {\color {Red}2} & {\color {Red}-1} \\ \hline -11 & 7 & -3 \\ \end{array} \right] \longleftrightarrow \left[ \begin{array} {rrr} 1 & 2 & 1 \\ 0 & -3 & -7 \\ \hline {\color {Red}0} & {\color {Red}1} & {\color {Red}2} \\ \end{array} \right] [/math]
Following this procedure, it's always possible to simplify a squared (or cubed, etc.) EI.
Arrow commas
The arrow comma is the ratio that equals the up arrow. This term overlaps a lot with the term mapping comma, but it isn't quite identical to it. For 5-limit temperaments the arrow comma is almost always 81/80, and for 7-limit it's almost always 64/63. But other commas can occur.
Consider Triyo/Porcupine which is (P8, P4/3). The vanishing comma or VC is 250/243, which has a 2.3.5 monzo of [2 -5 3]. The EI is v3A1, which has a 2.3.^ monzo of [-11 7 -3]. The arrow comma or AC equals an up, therefore it vanishes when downed. The downed AC (or vAC) can be expressed as a 2.3.5.^ monzo. For Triyo/Porcupine with an EI of v3A1, the vAC is v(81/80) or [-4 4 -1 -1].
The three commas
Thus when we consider a single-comma temperament along with its notation, there are three commas of interest, the VC, the vAC and the EI. In a 5-limit rank-2 temperament, they can all be expressed as 2.3.5.^ monzos.
Any two of these 3 commas determines the third comma. Thus we can approach temperaments and notations from 6 different angles. We can start with any one of these three commas and give it a specific monzo. Then we can choose one of the other two commas, experiment with a variety of specific monzos and examine the results. Let's start with specifying the VC, experimenting with the vAC and seeing what the EI turns out to be.
The EI always equals the VC (possibly inverted) plus or minus some number of vAC's. That number is whatever is needed to eliminate the higher prime. The VC must be inverted if the resulting EI would otherwise have a negative stepspan, or is a diminished unison.
In our Triyo example, 250/243 plus 3 downed syntonic commas = v3A1. As 2.3.5.^ monzos, we have [1 -5 3 0] + 3·[-4 4 -1 -1] = [-11 7 0 -3]. Note the zeros. The VC always has a zero arrow-count and the EI always has a zero prime-5-count.
Visualizing the three commas in the lattice, one starts at the VC and heads towards the row of 3-limit intervals via the vAC. Wherever one lands is the uninflected EI. One can try other AC's besides 81/80. The AC's prime-5-count must be ±1, so Layobi (135/128) or Layo (the schisma) are possibilities. But either of these would lead to a very remote EI (v3AA1 and v3d44 respectively), making a very awkward notation.
Next let's specify the AC, experiment with the VC and see what the EI turns out to be. For 5-limit temperaments, one can require that the AC always be 81/80, and derive the EI (and thus the notation) from the VC. For example, Sagugu/Diaschismic has VC = [11 -4 -2 0]. Subtracting two vAC's makes [19 -12 0 2] = ^^d2. This is in fact the recommended EI for (P8/2, P5).
More examples: Laquinyo/Magic is (P8, P12/5) and has VC = [-10 -1 5 0]. Adding five vAC's makes [-30 19 0 -5]. This appears to be a AA7 but is actually a negative 2nd. We invert to get [30 -19 0 5] = ^5dd2. Gugu/Bug has VC = 27/25 = [0 3 -2 0]. Subtracting two vAC's makes [8 -5 0 2] = ^^m2. Again, this is the recommended EI.
Let's try a 7-limit temperament with the obvious vAC of 64/63 = [6 -2 -1 -1]. Zozo/Semaphore has VC = 49/48 = [-4 -1 2 0]. Adding two vAC's makes [8 -5 0 -2] = vvm2.
 |
Todo: complete section apply to multi-comma temperaments |
Addenda (late 2024)
Chord names
When naming chords, it's very convenient to have the freedom to rename an aug 4th as a dim 5th, or a minor 10th as an aug ninth. Thus for some pergens, an extra pair of accidentals is used. Some examples:
- Chords of meantone (P8, P5) (^1 = -d2 = pythagorean comma)
- Chords of diaschismic (P8/2, P5)
- Chords of hemififths (P8, P5/2) (/1 = vm2 = ~81/80 = ~64/63)
- Chords of porcupine (P8, P4/3)
- Chords of magic (P8, P12/5) (/1 = ^^d2)
Frequency of imperfect pergens
Imperfect pergens occur when there are multiple genchains (i.e. the octave is split), and the fifth is on a different genchain than the tonic, and also on a different perchain. How often do they occur? In order to answer that, we need to survey all pergens in order. But the question of how to do that depends on how they are sorted. The pergenLister app sorts them by the size of the larger denominator. Using this order, pergenLister finds about 4% of all pergens are imperfect. But they can also be sorted by their canonical mappings [(a b) (0 c)]. If sorted by a (octave fraction), and then by |c| (perfect multigen's fraction), more complex pergens appear sooner, and the percentage rises to about 25%.
This table lists all pergens with an unsplit octave up to the fifth-splits. In each column, the pergens are sorted by the size of the generator. The generator is listed followed by a, b and c from its mapping. All pergens with an unsplit octave are perfect.
| unsplit | half-splits | third-splits | quarter-splits | fifth-splits | sixth-splits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c = ±1 | c = ±2 | c = ±3 | c = ±4 | c = ±5 | c = ±6 |
| P5 (1 1 1) | P4/2 (1 2 -2) | P4/3 (1 2 -3) | P4/4 (1 2 -4) | P4/5 (1 2 -5) | P4/6 (1 2 -6) |
| P5/2 (1 1 2) | P5/3 (1 1 3) | P5/4 (1 1 4) | P5/5 (1 1 5) | P5/6 (1 1 6) | |
| P11/3 (1 3 -3) | P11/4 (1 3 -4) | P11/5 (1 3 -5) | P11/6 (1 3 -6) | ||
| P12/4 (1 0 4) | P12/5 (1 0 5) | P12/6 (1 0 6) | |||
| ccP4/5 (1 4 -5) | ccP4/6 (1 4 -6) | ||||
| ccP5/6 (1 -1 6) |
Of all the half-octave pergens, half of every other column (i.e. 25%) are imperfect. Imperfect pergens occur whenever b is not a multiple of a.
| c = ±1 | c = ±2 | c = ±3 | c = ±4 | c = ±5 | c = ±6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P5 (2 2 1) | M2/4 (2 3 2) | P4/3 (2 4 -3) | M2/8 (2 3 4) | P4/5 (2 4 -5) | M2/12 (2 3 6) |
| P4/2 (2 4 -2) | P5/3 (2 2 3) | P4/4 (2 4 -4) | P5/5 (2 2 5) | P4/6 (2 4 -6) | |
| P11/3 (2 6 -3) | P5/4 (2 2 4) | P11/5 (2 6 -5) | P5/6 (2 2 6) | ||
| cm7/8 (2 5 -4) | P12/5 (2 0 5) | P11/6 (2 6 -6) | |||
| ccP4/5 (2 8 -5) | cm7/12 (2 5 -6) | ||||
| cM9/12 (2 1 6) |
Note that some of these pergens, when put in mingen form, become imperfect. For example, (P8/2, P11/3) becomes (P8/2, M2/6). Also note that for many of these pergens, the generators are comma-sized, and MOS scales will either be very "hard" (L/s very large) or else will contain very many notes per octave. For example, to bring the L/s ratio down to about 5, (P8/2, M2/4) needs a 16 note scale, and (P8/2, P11/3) needs a 28 note scale!
Of all the third-octave pergens, two-thirds of every third column (2/9 or 22%) are imperfect:
| c = ±1 | c = ±2 | c = ±3 | c = ±4 | c = ±5 | c = ±6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P5 (3 3 1) | P4/2 (3 6 -2) | m3/9 (3 5 -3) | P4/4 (3 6 -4) | P4/5 (3 6 -5) | m3/18 (3 5 -6) |
| P5/2 (3 3 2) | M6/9 (3 4 3) | P5/4 (3 3 4) | P5/5 (3 3 5) | M6/18 (3 4 6) | |
| P4/3 (3 6 -3) | P11/4 (3 9 -4) | P11/5 (3 9 -5) | P4/6 (3 6 -6) | ||
| P12/4 (3 0 4) | P12/5 (5 0 5) | P5/6 (3 3 6) | |||
| ccP4/5 (3 12 -5) | ccm3/18 (3 7 -6) | ||||
| ccM6/18 (3 2 6) |
Of all the quarter-octave pergens, imperfection occurs in half of every 4th column and 3/4 of every 4th column (5/16 or 31.25%).
| c = ±1 | c = ±2 | c = ±3 | c = ±4 | c = ±5 | c = ±6 | c = ±7 | c = ±8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P5 (4 4 1) | m6/8 (4 7 -2) | P4/3 (4 8 -3) | M2/8 (4 6 4) | P4/5 (4 8 -5) | P4/6 (4 8 -6) | P4/7 (4 8 -7) | M2/16 (4 6 8) |
| P4/2 (4 8 -2) | P5/3 (4 4 3) | m6/16 (4 7 -4) | P5/5 (4 4 5) | P5/6 (4 4 6) | P5/7 (4 4 7) | m6/32 (4 7 -8) | |
| P11/3 (4 12 -3) | M10/16 (4 5 4) | P11/5 (4 12 -5) | P11/6 (4 12 -6) | P11/7 (4 12 -7) | M10/32 (4 5 8) | ||
| P4/4 (4 8 -4) | P12/5 (4 0 5) | m6/24 (4 7 -6) | P12/7 (4 0 7) | P4/8 (4 8 -8) | |||
| ccP4/5 (4 16 -5) | M10/24 (4 5 6) | ccP4/7 (4 16 -7) | P5/8 (4 4 8) | ||||
| ccm6/24 (4 9 -6) | ccP5/7 (4 -4 7) | ccm6/32 (4 9 -8) | |||||
| c3P4/7 (4 20 -7) | cm7/16 (4 10 -8) | ||||||
| c3M3/32 (4 3 8) |
Percentage of imperfect pergens in each category:
| (P8, x) | (P8/2, x) | (P8/3, x) | (P8/4, x) | (P8/5, x) | (P8/6, x) | (P8/7, x) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| none | 1/4 | 2/9 | 5/16 | 4/25 | 5/12 | 6/49 |
| 0% | 25% | 22.22% | 31.25% | 16% | 41.67% | 12.24% |