Private lessons available in person in San Diego, or online using Discord: composition, music-theory, tuning-theory, piano, and all woodwinds (sax, clarinet, flute, bassoon, recorder). Current rates US$ 80 per hour (negotiable). Send an email to: monzojoe2 (AT) gmail. Also please consider making a donation to Tonalsoft using the PayPal button at the bottom of this page. Thank you.

Joseph Monzo

List of Works

online Encyclopedia of Microtonal Music-Theory

musical compositions

software

books

articles & essays

musical arrangements, for concert band & jazz big band

computer MIDI sequences of music by others

topographic maps

paintings and drawings

Compositions

Here is the complete list of every musical piece or sketch by Joseph Monzo (as of January 2022) in a plain text file.

Below is a list of what I feel are my most significant pieces.

Most of the sound examples are MIDI files which I sequenced on my computer. Some are quite good, some are not good at all, most fall somewhere in between. The quality of any individual file is pretty much reflective of how much time I've spent working on it. Some of the best ones I had made are "no longer with us", due to a damaged disk and further computer problems I had in the 1990s.

There are several more just-intonation pieces and fragments which I had mapped onto my old Yamaha TG-77, which had tuning tables and which was stolen out of my house in 1997. I'm in the process of editing all of that stuff using pitch-bend, to make it conform to the General MIDI specs.

I hope to convert many of the 12-edo pieces listed here into just-intonation. I no longer feel satisfied with the sound of many of these, so I've never had a problem going back over an old piece and changing its tuning.

(The 4 minutes listed as the time on so many of the songs is just a rough, quick estimate. I was more concerned with getting the links to the sound files up first. I'll do the research later.)

Threesome (December 2022) [22-edo]

for alto flute, 22-edo guitar, contrabass; 1:33 minutes
score video (up/down notation, YouTube)

8+4+6 Salsa (10 September 2022) [12-edo]

for salsa band; 1:33 minutes
score video (YouTube)

Soft Latin (7 June 2022) [22-edo]

for alto flute, 22-edo guitar, contrabass, claves

Orwell9 Sonatina (22 January 2022) [22-edo]

for flute and piano
0:52 minutes
Tonescape video (YouTube)
score video (up/down notation, YouTube)

Doublewide10 BossaNova (17 January 2022) [22-edo]

for alto saxophone, piano, fretless bass guitar, cabasa, claves
1:22 minutes
Tonescape video (YouTube)
score video (up/down notation, YouTube)

Doublewide10 Study (31 December 2021) [22-edo]

for electric piano
0:41 minutes
Tonescape video (YouTube)

The Right Cable (14 December 2021) [12-out-of-22-edo]

for electric piano
0:41 minutes
Tonescape video (up/down notation) (YouTube)

Hedgehog8 Etude (27 November 2021) [22-edo, hedgehog[8] scale]

for piano
1:01 minutes
Tonescape video (YouTube)
score video (up/down notation, YouTube)
score (PDF, up/down notation)

Hedgehog14 Study Chorale (21 November 2021) [22-edo, hedgehog[14] scale]

for male voices (tenor 1, tenor 2, baritone, bass)
0:47 minutes
Tonescape video, original version(YouTube)
score video, revised version of 2023-0608 0:54, including presentation of hedgehog14 scale (up/down notation, YouTube)
score (PDF, up/down notation)

Hedgehog8 Chorale (18 November 2021) [22-edo, hedgehog[8] scale]

for male voices (tenor 1, tenor 2, baritone, bass)
1:52 minutes
Tonescape video (YouTube)
score video (up/down notation) (YouTube)
score (PDF, up/down notation)

Pajara10 Jazz (6 November 2021) [22-edo, pajara[10] scale]

for piano
0:54 minutes
Tonescape video (YouTube)
score video (up/down notation, YouTube)
score (PDF, up/down notation)

Hedgehog8 March (1 November 2021) [22-edo, hedgehog[8] scale]

for piano
1:19 minutes
Tonescape video (YouTube),
score video (up/down notation) (YouTube)

No Shoes Blues (7 September 2021) [12-edo]

for blues band (vocal, electric guitar, organ, bass, drumset); 3:30 minutes
score video (YouTube)
mp3
lyrics
score (PDF)

Funkrock in 22 (18 December 2020) [22edo]

for piano, bass, drumset
1.30

Just Like Honey (4 October 2020) [12-edo]

words to verses by Darrell Chiecuto, words to chorus by Joseph Monzo
for rock band (vocal, electric guitar, electric piano, bass, drumset)
mp3 of a live Back Stage Poets rehearsal

Halloween Blues (29 October 2019) [12edo]

for blues band
3.00

Grateful Dead Inspired (4 October 2019) [12-edo]

for blues band (vocal, electric guitar, organ, bass, drumset)
mp3

Rhumba In A Truck (March 2018) [12-edo]

for electric guitar, piano, saxophone, trumpet, bass, drumset)
mp3

37-edo Funk (15 June 2016) [37-edo]

for electric guitar, bass, drumset
mp3

Afrikan Song (13 June 2016) [7-out-of-37-edo]

for saxophone, electric guitar, bass, percussion

mp3
score video [12-edo, 2016-0619 version] (YouTube); 0:59 minutes
Tonescape video [7oo37-edo, 2016-0615 version] (YouTube); 2:40 minutes

Don't Think Aloud (February 2016) [12-edo]

words by Darrell Chiecuto for rock band (written for Back Stage Poets)

Bebop 22-from-14edo (27 October 2015) [22edo] - reworked from "14edo Bebop" (see September 2010)

for jazz band
2.30

The Kog Sisters (June 2013 to April 2014) [37-edo]

for 2 pianos, 2 organs, oboe, clarinet, strings and percussion
composed as "inspired by Hypatia and Bruta Kog", 2 of the muses in Kaz Maslanka's "Mapping of Polyaesthetics" project

3:45 minutes
mp3
video with score in sagittal notation (YouTube)

I Still Believe In Love (4 July 2012) [12-edo]

for vocal, keyboard, electric guitar, bass, drumset
mp3

Ride This Train (January/February 2012) [12-edo]

for vocal, electric guitar, bass, drumset

score video (YouTube) mp3

14-edo Bebop (12 September 2010) [14edo]

for jazz band
1.30
(later reworked into 22edo - see October 2015)

Galop (26 July 2010) [1/11-comma meantone (12edo)]

for piano
1.30

Bouncy Piano (20 May 2009) [12-edo]

for piano
score video (YouTube)

I Love The Blackness (16 August 2008) [46-edo]

for funk band
Tonescape video (YouTube)

Darks and Whites film score (summer 2006) [15-, 19-, 22-, 36-edo]

for piano, english horn, flute, clarinet, string ensemble, guitar, rock organ, drum set

1. opening laundromat scene [15-edo then 19-edo] 1:55 minutes ... mp3, Tonescape video (YouTube)
2. beach scene [22-edo] ... mp3, Tonescape video (YouTube), score (PDF)
3. tunnel scene [36-edo] ... mp3
4. wedding video scene [22-edo] ... mp3
5. closing laundromat scene [15-edo] ... mp3

13-edo Bebop (16 February 2006) [13-edo]

for piano, bass, drums
Tonescape video (YouTube)

Lord's Prayer (9 August 2005) [12edo]

for a capella choir
2:00

African Rhythms In 36-ET (15 April 2005) [36edo]

for koto, mbira, bongos, congas, casaba, fretless electric bass
0.35
mp3
Tonescape video (YouTube)

13/8 Subdivisions (13 June 2003) [12edo]

for piano, bass guitar, drumset
0:22 minutes
Score video (YouTube)

Shaggy Rag (21 February 2003) [12edo]

for piano
1.30

19-Tone Guitar Blues (10 November 2001) [19edo]

for 19edo guitar
1.30

2001-10-15 (15 October 2001) [12edo]

for 2 trumpets, bass, and percussion
1.30
mp3

Cruisin' thru the Ruins (September 2001) [11-limit adaptive JI]

for vocals, theater orchestra and rock band
5 minutes
program notes and lyrics
mp3

Crazy Salsa (11 July 2001) [12-edo]

for salsa ensemble
1 minute
score video (YouTube)

2001-0708 (8 July 2001) [7- and 11-limit adaptive JI]

for choir a capella
1.30
[I had an mp3 of this piece available, but the link now points to a corrupted file. I have to search for a good copy of the mp3 and will fix the link when I find one.]

Solar System (August 2000) [JI]

computer realization, sonic mapping of planetary orbital periods
program notes, mp3, and MIDI-files

Hungarian Dance (September 1999) [12edo]

for piano
1.00
Inspired by my reading of Jan Swofford's biography of Brahms
mp3

A Noiseless Patient Spider (March to May 1999) [mixed 144edo and JI]

for reciting voice
with harp, piano, synthesizer, 2 horns, cello & bass
7 minutes
text by Walt Whitman
commissioned by AFMM and premiered at 1999 Microthon! in New York City
program notes, mp3 of the instrumental parts, and score

Kuh-meah (4 April 1999) [13-prime-limit JI]

Acoustic guitar and percussion
composed on my Rational Guitar
mp3

Kraigian (10 March 1999) [13-prime-limit JI]

Acoustic guitar and percussion
composed on my Rational Guitar
mp3 of Kraigian

19-tone Samba (October 1998) [19-tET]

Acoustic guitar, bass, and percussion
score video (YouTube)
program notes (with score, MIDI, and mp3)
mp3

Stuck in Phoenix (September 1998) [12-tET]

Country music band
mp3

Beowulf (1998-present, in progress) [11-limit JI]

opera, for singers and orchestra
approx. 1 hour
mp3 of the opening

Hendrix Chord (7 April 1998) [12-edo & hi-prime just]

virtuoso tuning and finger-independence study
for electric guitar; 19 minutes
program notes and audio

Alternative Rock Chord (7 April 1998) [12-edo & just]

for improvising group and digital audio
a study in dominant-7th chord with various tunings of added-4th; 8 minutes
MIDI sequence of it

Come And Get Me Now (in progress, begun June 1997) [just]

for intoning/singing voice and string quartet

24-Equal Tune (6 October 1994) [24-Eq]

Quarter-tone piece
for violin, 2 acoustic guitars, bass and drums; 1:49 minutes
score video (YouTube)
program notes (with graphical score, mp3, and MIDI), mp3

Ragtime 1994 (17 March 1994) [12-edo], (2001) [7-limit adaptive-JI]

piano; 1:13 minutes
score video (YouTube)
mp3 of adaptive-JI version

Theme to What's Happening (1993) [12-edo]

for background vocals and pop band; 4 minutes

In A Minute (30 April 1993) [12-edo], (17 March 1999) [JI version]

pop band; 3:21
program notes
MIDI

Merseybeat (30 March 1993) [12-edo]

pop band; 2 minutes
mp3

1993-3-22 (22 March 1993) [12edo] (2000) [5-limit JI]

for accordion
1.30
program notes
mp3 of JI version

Piña Colada (17 January 1993) [12-edo]

pop band; 4 minutes
mp3

Wedding March (original funky version: 27 August 1992, "classical" version October 1992) [12-edo]

digital recording; 4 minutes
(with a sly opening sample from Mahler's 6th)
2 versions:

original funky version -- for pop band (mp3)
"classical" version dictated by the church -- for harp, strings, electric bass, & piano

As Long As We Live (July 1992) [12-edo]

pop band; 2:46
score video (YouTube)
mp3 of 12edo version
lyrics

Prince Bowie (26 April 1992) [12-edo]

pop band; 4 minutes
score video (YouTube)
MIDI sequence of an excerpt

Happy Ending For The Devil (15 March 1992) [12-edo]

for singing voice and rock band; 2:23
lyrics and mp3, mp3

One-Way Street (February 1992) [12-edo]

for singing voice and rock band; 4 minutes
program notes, lyrics, mp3 of last 2 verses & guitar solo

3 Plus 4 (5 January 1992) [12-edo version], (24 December 1999) [13-limit JI version]

fusion jazz band; 5:20
(solos on recording by Marc Johnson)

MIDI sequence of 12-tET version, intro and tune
mp3 of JI version (4.7 megs)

Altho it's unambitious and unpretentious, I think this is the best thing I've written so far.

4th Night in Rio (3 January 1992) [12-edo]

latin band; 1:59
score video (YouTube)
MIDI file

Triplet Break-Up (14 December 1991) [12-edo]

for pop band
1:58 minutes
Tonescape video (YouTube)
MIDI sequence

Half-Step Bass (28 November 1991) [12-edo]

pop band; 4 minutes

Nigger Lover (1991-93) [this needs a more complex tuning]

for rapping voice and electronic sounds; 4 minutes
MIDI sequence

Thinking of Frank Emerson (sketch: 21 April 1991, completed: 12 January 1992) [12-edo]

fusion-jazz band; 1:52
MIDI sequence

3rd Night in Rio (1 October 1991) [12-edo]

latin band; 1:52
MIDI sequence

2nd Night in Rio (5 September 1991) [12-edo]

latin band; 3:00
MIDI sequence

1991-9-2 (2 September 1991) [12edo]

for piano, bass, and percussion
0.30
mp3

Ah Mariah (11 April 1991) [12-edo]

for flute, bass, and electric piano; 4 minutes

1st Night in Rio (17 June 1991) [12-edo]

latin band; 3:00
MIDI sequence

I'm in Love (spring 1991) [12-edo, with microtones in guitar solo]

for singing voices and rock band; 5:20
mp3

Yvonne (December 1990) [12-edo], (2001) [7-limit adaptive-JI]

electric piano and strings; 1:20

mp3 of adaptive-JI version

Samba for Suzee (25 December 1990) [12-edo]

latin band; 4:10
MIDI sequence

M.S.B. (28 September 1990) [12-edo version], (2000) [JI version]

pop band; 3:12
score video (YouTube)
MIDI sequence

Incidental music to Invisible Haircut (1990-93) [19-limit JI]

for computer tape; 15 minutes

Opening Theme (12 February 1990)

Tonescape video, on YouTube
score video of 41edo version (2023.0610) 2:39 minutes (YouTube)
mp3
program notes and audio

Bennie's Barber Shop (1993)

Wedge of Mind (December 1989) [12-edo]

for electronic tape; 8 minutes

Sweeping The Pizza Shop 6x3x3 (November 1989) [12-edo]

fusion jazz band; 0:44 minutes
Tonescape video (YouTube)
mp3

Carried Away (August 1989) [12-edo], (1991) [7-limit adaptive-JI]

for voice and R&B band; 4:00
score video (YouTube)
mp3 of adaptive-JI version

Spooky (October 1987) [12-edo]

fusion jazz band; 1:59
MIDI sequence

Salsa 2 (1987) [12-edo]

latin band; 3 minutes
MIDI sequence

Salsa 1 (1987) [12-edo]

latin band; 3 minutes
MIDI sequence

Whenever (September 1986) [12-edo]

for voice, piano, electric piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, trombone, violin section, bass, drumset; 4:44 minutes
score video (YouTube)
read the lyrics
MIDI sequence of it

Summertime Rag (July 1986) [12-edo]

for piano; 4:38
MIDI sequence

Springtime Rag (May 1986) [12-edo], (2001) [7-limit adaptive-JI]

for piano; 4 minutes
mp3 of adaptive-JI version

Latin Tune (May 1986) [12-edo]

latin band; 1:50
MIDI sequence of an excerpt

Thankful for the Little Things (1986) [12-edo]

for voices and rock band; 4 minutes
MIDI sequence

I've Got A Feeling About You (1986) [12-edo]

for singing voice and jazz band; 4 minutes
mp3 (vocal part played on trombone)
lyrics

Etude in F# (November 1985) [12-edo], (2001) [7-limit adaptive-JI]

for piano; 2:12
mp3 of adaptive-JI version

Reminds Me Of George (former title: "Corny Blues Guitar") (September 1985) [12-edo]

for acoustic guitar and drumset
1:18 minutes
Tonescape video (YouTube)

Blue Valentine (September 1985) [12-edo]

for singing voice and small ensemble; 2:18
words by Chris Tisdale
score video (YouTube)
MIDI sequence of it

1985 Delay (September 1985, 1998) [12-edo]

for piano, shakuhachi, bassoon, and drums; 4 minutes
MIDI sequence of an excerpt

So Ultraconservative (April 1985) [12-edo]

for singing voice and rock band; 4 minutes
lyrics and MIDI, mp3

Your Love Will Take Me (April 1985) [12-edo]

for singing voice and rock band; 4 minutes

The Why Did They Close The Frank S. Farley Service Plaza On Saturday Night Blues
(February 1985) [12-edo]

for singing voice and rock band; 4 minutes
MIDI
read the lyrics

JI Computer-Music Piece [unfinished] (October-December 1984)

composed in Music-11 at Brooklyn College, for Charles Dodge's class
videos of four sketches, one with two different rhythms (YouTube):

1. "w (chart-9)" 0:37 [11-limit JI]
2. "x (rock-n-roll)" 0:21 [13-limit JI]
3. "y (guitar)" 1:24 [13-limit JI]
4a. "z (rap)" 0:19 [3.5.7.13 JI]
4b. "z (rap, with swing-16ths)" 0:34 [3.5.7.13 JI]

Fusion 1984 (October 1984) [12-edo]

for pop-jazz band
score video (YouTube)
MIDI sequence

Ghosts From The Season Before (September 1984) [12-edo]

for singing voice and rock band; 4 minutes
words by Chris Wittmann
read the lyrics
MIDI-file

Again (original title "Faded Days") (August 1984) [12-edo]

for singing voice and small ensemble; 4:29
words by Chris Tisdale
MIDI sequence of it

I'll Tell You I Love You (June 1984) [12-edo]

for singing voice and pop band; 4 minutes
score video (YouTube)
MIDI sequence

Symphony 5 (originally "2 Movements") (May to July 1984) [12-edo]

for orchestra; 12 minutes

Lynn (October 1983) [12-edo]

for singing voice and rock band; 4 minutes

Song of the Seagull (September 1983) [12-edo]

for singing voice and acoustic guitar; 4 minutes

Deep Inside (September 1983) [12-edo]

for singing voice and acoustic guitar; 4 minutes
MIDI sequence

Labor Day (August 1983) [12-edo]

for singing voice and rock band; 4 minutes
read the lyrics

Finding Fragments (August/September 1983) [12-edo]

for singing voice and pop band; 4 minutes
program notes, lyrics, mp3

On The Bus (July 1983) [12-edo]

for singing voice and rock band; 3:05
video with score (YouTube)
mp3 with computer vocals for first verse
MIDI sequence
read the lyrics

So Hard To Say Goodbye (January 1983) [12-edo]

for singing voice and rock band; 4:26
MIDI
read the lyrics

Down and Out (music: December 1982, words: February 1983) [12-edo] (2001) [7-limit adaptive-JI version]

for singing voice and rock band; 4:43
mp3 of adaptive-JI version
lyrics

The Message (October 1982) [12-edo]

for piano, bass, drums; 4 minutes
MIDI

You're My Girl (July 1982) [12-edo]

for singing voice and acoustic guitar; 4 minutes
MIDI

For Donna (June 1982) [12-edo]

for solo classical guitar; 1:10
mp3

Don't Drop It On Me (June 1982) [12-edo]

blues, for singing voice and acoustic guitar; 4 minutes
read the lyrics

Junkmail (June 1982) [12-edo]

for singing voice and heavy-metal band; 3:32
mp3
lyrics and MIDI-file

Edward, Edward (February 1982) [12-edo version], (2000) [5-limit JI version]

for singing voice, harpsichord, recorders, oboes; 4 minutes
a setting of a Renaissance English poem
score video of 12edo version (YouTube)
mp3 of JI version

Waltz (sketch February 1982, completed 1986) [12-edo]

for piano; 4 minutes
mp3

My Dream (December 1981) [12-edo]

for singing voice and heavy-metal band; 4 minutes

Canned Food (July 1981) [12-edo]

for singing voice and rock band; 4 minutes

L. A. Tango (July 1981) [12-edo] (2001) [7-limit adaptive-JI]

for latin band; 1:29 minutes
score video (YouTube)
mp3 of adaptive-JI version

Movie Opening (originally Triple Concerto) (April/July 1981 / 1983) [12-edo, being converted to just]

for alto sax & orchestra; 0:49
12edo MIDI sequence of the opening
mp3 of the opening, in 7-limit adaptive-JI

Saturday Afternoon Rag (February to October 1981) [12-edo]

for piano; 4 minutes

I Wanna Fuck (April 1981) [12-edo, but with high distortion]

for voice and punk rock band; 3 minutes

Springtime Meditation (March/April 1981)
afternoon and sunset at Great Kills Harbor (1981) [12-edo]

for orchestra; 8 minutes

String Trio (December 1980 to February 1981) [12-edo, with some quarter-tones]

for violin, viola, cello; 15 minutes
program notes and MIDI sequence
updated 2001.4.1

Sonnet 18 (December 1980) [12-edo]

for soprano voice and piano; 1:18
text after Shakespeare
text and MIDI-file

Ondulations (December 1980) [12-edo]

for piano; 2 minutes

Outlets (November 1980) [12-edo]

for voice and new wave band; 2 minutes
MIDI sequence of an excerpt

Romeo's Death (October/November 1980) [12-edo, being converted to just]

for baritone voice, clarinet, cello, bass trombone and percussion;
8 minutes
text after Shakespeare
MIDI sequence and text of it [12-edo]

Modern Conveniences (July 1980) [12-edo]

for voice and rock band; 2 minutes
MIDI sequence of an excerpt

What's Wrong (July 1980) [12-edo]

for voice and new wave band; 2 minutes

If You Go (July 1980) [12-edo]

for voice and new wave band; 2 minutes

My Universe (June 1980) [12-edo, with high distortion]

for voice and punk rock band; 4 minutes
MIDI sequence of it

9-F (February to June 1980, unfinished) [12-edo]

for small orchestra; 12 minutes
score video of the final section 1:03 minutes (YouTube)

English Suite: 4. Gavotte (9 May 1980) [12-edo or meantone] (JI version 2002.3.15) [5-limit JI]

for piano; 3:06
score video (12edo) (YouTube)
mp3 (JI version)

English Suite: 3. Bourrée (February 1980) [12-edo or meantone] (unfinished)

for piano; 0:48
score video (12edo) (YouTube)

English Suite: 2. Saraband (February 1980) [12-edo or meantone] (unfinished)

for piano; 1:27
score video (12edo) (YouTube)
MIDI sequence of it

English Suite: 1. Invention (January 1980) [12-edo or meantone] (unfinished)

for piano; 1:42
score video (12edo) (YouTube)
MIDI sequence of it

Preludes II (February 1980) [just]

for soprano voice and violin; 10 minutes
text by T. S. Eliot

Woodwind Trio (December 1979) [12-edo]

for clarinet, oboe, and bassoon; 5:09 minutes
score video (YouTube)

Forms for Brass Trio (October 1979) [12-edo]

for French horn, trumpet, and trombone; 5 minutes

Mexican Dance (February 1979, unfinished) [12-edo]

for clarinet and string ensemble; 1:04 minutes
score video (YouTube)

Fugue for Brass Quartet (January 1979) [12-edo]

horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba; 4 minutes

Preludes I (December 1978) [12-edo]

for soprano voice, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons
8 minutes
text by T. S. Eliot

Woodwind Quintet (October/November 1978, unfinished) [12-edo]

for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn; 1:19 minutes
score video (YouTube)

Sonatina (July to November 1978) [12-edo]

for piano, 3 movements; 6:14
MIDI sequence

Waltz No. 1 (July 1978) [12-edo]

for piano; 1:30 minutes
MIDI sequence

Yssup's Fables (1978 or 1979) [12-edo]

for sax, piano, bass; 1:12 minutes
score video (YouTube)

Langsam Stuck (June to August 1977 / May 1978) [12-edo]

for orchestra; 3:21 minutes
MIDI sequence

Sapphire Eyes (May 1977) [12-edo]
words by Avrum Goldberg

vocal, rock band and strings; 6 minutes

1st String Quartet (April 1977, revised 1994) [12-edo] (2001) [7-limit adaptive-JI]

for 2 violins, viola, and cello; 2:49 minutes
mp3 of adaptive-JI version

Gavotte (February 1977) [12-edo]

for small orchestra; 4 minutes

Scherzo for Orchestra (January 1977) [12-edo]

for orchestra; 5 minutes

12 Minuets (December 1976 to January 1977) [12-edo]

for piano; 12 minutes
MIDI sequence

Festive Overture (December 1976) [12-edo]

for orchestra

8 Minuets (September to December 1976) [12-edo]

for piano; 8 minutes
MIDI sequence

Symphony 3 (September 1976 / 1977 / January 1981, unfinished) [12-edo]

for orchestra

Symphony 2 (September 1976 / June 1980 / February 1994) [12-edo], (2001) [7-limit adaptive-JI]

for 2 oboes, 2 horns, and strings
score video (YouTube); 9:45 minutes
mp3 of adaptive-JI version; 10:27 minutes

Symphony 1 (November 1975 and June 1976) [12-edo]

for small orchestra; 9 minutes
in 3 movements; Tonescape videos (YouTube) [1/6-comma meantone]:

1a. 1st movement, version 1 (1975-1130, complete, 4:43)
1b. 1st movement, version 2 (1975-1201, unfinished, 1:11)
1c. 1st movement, version 3 (1976-0101, fragment, 0:30)
1d. 1st movement, version 4 (1976-0201, fragment, 0:19)
1e. 1st movement, version 5 (final) (1976-0613, complete, 4:04) [with corrections made 2023-0520]
2a. 2nd movement, version 1 (1975-1130, complete, 2:36)
3a. 3rd movement, version 1a (1976-0620, complete, 2:04) [with corrections made 2009-1028]

Prelude (18 August 1975) [12-edo]

for piano; 1 minute
score video (YouTube)

Software

Tonescape microtonal music sequencer (formerly called "JustMusic")

micro.CAL, my microtonal CAL program for Cakewalk^TM

Prime-ET, an Excel^TM spreadsheet that calculates ratios and ET-degrees and compares them.

Books

Searching for Schoenberg's Pantonality (2001-in progress 2010)

Mahler 7th/1: an analytical reduction score, and speculations on the "hidden program", of the first movement of Gustav Mahler's Seventh Symphony (1988-2004)

JustMusic: A New Harmony - Representing Pitch as Prime Series (1993-98)

Articles and essays

Intonation of the valve trumpet (2003)

Ramos's divisions of the monochord (2003)

Zarlino's description of 2/7-comma meantone (2003)

Vicentino's adaptive-JI of 1555 (2002)

Eivind Groven's Schismatic Temperament (2002)

An Examination of Partch's The Intruder (2002)

Simplified sexagesimal approximation to 12edo (2002)

Lattice Diagrams Comparing Rational Implications of Various Meantone Chains

Ganassi's Rational Well-Temperament. www (2001)

Mozart's Tuning: a 20-tone subset of 55-EDO. www (2001)

An Examination of Partch's Explanation of ETs (2001)

A Gentle Introduction to the MIDI Tuning Specification. www (2001)

Autumn Leaves in Blackjack Tuning. www (2001)

The Blackjack Scale. www (2001)

A 13-tone 7...17-limit scale of Pat Pagano and David Beardsley. www (2001)

A New Reconstruction of the Hurrian Hymn. www (2000)

Speculations on Sumerian tuning. www (2000)

An Examination of Fox-Strangways and Partch on JI modulation. www (2000)

The Measurement of Aristoxenus's Divisions of the Tetrachord. www (1999, 2000)

On Fabio Colonna's Sambuca Tuning. www (1999)

A Summary of W. S. B. Woolhouse's Essay on musical intervals. www (1999)

Tutorial on Ancient Greek Tetrachord-theory. www (1999)

A stretched-'octave' scale of Charles Ives. www (1999)

Chronological List of Works of Alois Hába. www (1999)

English translation of Hába's article Schoenberg and the further possibilities of music-development. www (1999)

English translation of the first few chapters of Horst Weber's biography of Zemlinsky(1999)

A Century of New Music in Vienna, a chronology of Mahler, Schoenberg, Webern, and the birth of atonality. www (1999)

review of the 1999 AFMM Microthon!. Juxtaposition Ezine(1999)

English translation of Patrice Bailhache's Music translated into Mathematics: Leonhard Euler

Historical Arab Lute Frettings. www (1999)

Charts of pitches on Poole's keyboard. www (1999)

Mathematical Diagrams of Equal-Tempered Guitar Fingerboards. www (1998)

5-Limit Implications of Ancient Indian Tuning. www (1998)

A Microtonal Analysis of Robert Johnson's Drunken Hearted Man. www (1998)

Mathematical Diagram of John Dowland's Lute Fretting. www (1998)

review of The Last Laugh, by Dean Drummond. Juxtaposition Ezine (1998)

review of When Mozart was a Nine-Year-Old, by the SoHo Baroque Opera. Juxtaposition Ezine(1998)

Speculations on Marchetto of Padua's "Fifth-Tones". www (1997-98)

JustMusic Prime-Factor Notation. www (1997)

An Examination of a Possible 5-Limit System of Boethius. unpublished (1997)

A New Look at the Musica Enchiriadis. unpublished (1996-97)

A Metrical Analysis and Re-notation
of Webern's Variations for Piano, 1st movement. (1994) www (1998)

Similarities Between Partch and Schoenberg
as Originators of New Harmonic Principles. unpublished (1988)

Musical Arrangements

For Concert Band

Excerpts from Mahler's 1st Symphony (1979)

For Jazz Big Band

Johnny Green, Out of Nowhere (1979) - listen to excerpts
George Harrison, Something (1979)
Billy Strayhorn, Take The A-Train (1979)
Hoagy Carmichael, Skylark (1979)
Hoagy Carmichael, I Get Along Without You Very Well (1978)
Heyman & Buesse, My Silent Love (1978)
George Shearing, Lullaby of Birdland (1978)
Robin & Ranger, June in January (1978)
Kahn & Donaldson, Love Me or Leave Me (1978)
Fain, Kahal, & Norman, When I Take My Sugar To Tea (1978)
Rodgers & Hart, With A Song In My Heart (1978)

MIDI sequences of music by others

This way I get to (sort of) play out my fantasy of being a conductor.
The dates are those of my sequencing (not of the original composition).
Most of these are not microtonal - yet.

Mahler, 7th Symphony, 1st movement (1988-98)

Cole Porter, Just One Of Those Things, voice/piano version of arrangement from Kiri Te Kanawa's CD (2003)

Beatles, Yellow Submarine (2002)

George Duke, Theme from 'Good Times' TV show (1999)

Amazingly, the unbelievably complex MIDI-file produces simulations of vowel formants, so that if you understand English, you can hear the words being "sung"! -- There are no voices here, just an orchestra of ocarinas!

Good Times, anytime you meet a payment, Good Times, anytime you meet a friend
Good Times, anytime you're out from under, not gettin' hassled, not gettin' hustled
Keepin' your head above water, making a wave when you can
Temporary lay-offs, Good Times, easy credit rip-offs, Good Times
Scratching and survivin', Good Times, hanging in a chow line, Good Times
Ain't we lucky we got 'em?, Good Times!

Ben Johnston, 8th Quartet, 2nd movement. (1999)

Mahler, Piano Quartet in A-minor, 1st (and only) movement. (1999)

Beatles, Glass Onion (1999)

I was discussing re-doing a Beatles song in 22-ET with Paul Erlich and he suggested this one. This 12-tET version turned out pretty good.

Here's the 22-tET version (2000).

Mahler, Das Lied von der Erde, last part of der Abschied (1998)

one of my very best MIDI files

Robert Johnson, Drunken Hearted Man, opening & 1st verse (1998)

see the accompanying essay

Webern, Vorfruhling [pre-Opus 1 song] (1998)

Webern, Aufblick [pre-Opus 1 song, instrumental arrangement by Monzo] (1998)

Webern, Im Sommerwind [first half] (1998)

DvorÃ¡k, "New World" Symphony, 4th movement (1998)

Tchaikovsky, 4th Symphony, 4th movement (1998) - listen to ending

Tchaikovsky, 5th Symphony, coda of 4th movement (1998)

Tchaikovsky, 6th Symphony, 3rd and 4th movements (1998)

Korngold, Sinfonietta, excerpts from 1st & 2nd movements (1992-98)

full-blown Hollywood movie music from a 15-year old! check it out

B. B. King, Sweet Little Angel, opening guitar solo (1992-98)

microtonalized even a bit further by me

Robert Johnson, Crossroads Blues, opening & 1st verse (1992-98)
Beatles, Savoy Truffle (1997)
Beatles, Yer Blues (1997)
Webern, 6 Pieces for Orchestra, op. 6, 1st piece (1994)

Webern, Variations for Piano, op. 27, 1st movement (1994)

see the accompanying essay

Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 6, 1st movement (1993)
Lewis Benzon, 95th Psalm (1992)
Felix Weingartner, 2nd Symphony, excerpts (1991)
Orlando Lassus, Tristis Est Anima Mea (1991)
The Band, King Harvest (1991)
Bruce Springsteen, Born To Run,without vocal part excerpt (1991)
Bruce Springsteen, 10th Avenue Freeze-Out, without vocal part (1991)
Scott Joplin, Gladiolus Rag (1991)
Joseph Lamb, Sensation Rag (1991)
Rossini, William Tell Overture, last section (1990)
Bach, C#m Prelude & Fugue Well-Tempered Klavier book 1 (1989)
Bach, Sarabande from English Suite No. 6 (1989)
Beethoven, String Quartet (C#m), op. 131, 1st movement (1989)
Beethoven, 3rd Symphony ("Eroica"), 1st movement (1989)
Machaut, Messe de Nostre Dame, Sanctus (1989)

Topographic Maps

Northwest Philadelphia, watercolor on paper (1995)
Montmartre, computer-generated, ink on paper (1996)
San Diego, computer-generated, ink on paper (in progress, 2000) (the version in this link is reduced to about 25% normal size)

Paintings and Drawings

Healing [with Claudia Ximena], computer-generated, ink on paper (1998)
Coffee Stain, coffee on paper (1987)
How To Find Your Way Around Philadelphia, acrylic on cotton T-shirt (1987)
No Anchovies, acrylic on inside of cardboard pizza box (1986)
View from my bedroom window, acrylic on cotton T-shirt (1986)
Island off the coast of Antarctica, oil on canvas (1982)
Brooke Shields, pencil on paper (1982)
Portrait of Dona, pastel on paper (1980)
Jaclyn Smith, pencil on paper (1979)
Scenes from Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel, pencil on paper (1976)

Jesus and Mary
close-up of Mary
Angel Blowing a Horn
The Damned

Two Locomotives, pencil on paper (1976)
Sunset, watercolor on paper (1975)

. . . . . . . . .

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Encyclopedia of Microtonal Music Theory

Joseph Monzo

List of Works

For Concert Band

For Jazz Big Band