Tuning Systems & Interval Ratios
This lesson is part of the Fundamentals of Sound & Music module. |
Objectives[edit]
- Students will understand the concept of tuning systems and temperaments.
- Student will understand the basis of 12-TET tuning (including definitions of cents and semitones)
- Student will know the general differences between 12-TET and just intonation.
- Students will be able to derive harmonic frequencies according to simple arithmetic calculations (using harmonics or interval ratios).
- Student will have a basic understanding of tuning discrepancies based on harmonics and interval ratios
- Student will understand the concept of beats and how they are used to tune an instrument
- Student will be exposed to tuning variations and fluidity in Indian Raga, Javanese Gamelan, Mariachi, Tuva Throat Singing, and Maqam
- Student will understand the relationship between diatonic intervals and frequency ratios
- Student will be able to derive intervals from frequency calculations
Resources[edit]
Readings[edit]
- Handout on Simple Intervals and the Harmonic Series
- Gann, "Information on Alternate Tunings"
- Music Crash Courses: Tuning Systems
- Lewis, "Understanding Temperaments"
- Tobey, A Feeling for Harmony:
teInstructor References[edit]
- Wolfe, Physclips: Tartini Tones, Consonance, Temperament, Harmony, And Scales
- Forster, Excerpts from Musical Mathematics:
- Rubinstein, "Well vs. Equal Temperament"
Listening and Videos[edit]
- Cris Forsters Instruments and Music:
- The Rasa: "Microtonal Star Wars Cantina Band"
- 12Tone:
- MinutePhysics: Why It's Impossible to Tune a Piano
- Huykens-Foker Foundation: Temperament Examples
Tools[edit]
- Offtonic: Microtonal Synthesizer
- Academo: 19TET Keyboard
- Sevish: Scale Workshop
- Apple Logic Pro Manual: Tuning Settings
- Norris:
- Wolfram: Pythagorean, Meantone, and Equal Temperament Scales
- Thompson, Just Intonation Interval Calculator
- Scala (software)
Class Activities[edit]
- Demonstration of different tuning systems and temperaments
- Demonstration of interval ratios using a monochord.
- Calculation of intervals using just intonation ratios - discussion of tuning discrepancies
- Demonstration of beats