anomaly

1. A small interval resulting from the inherent failure in JI of cycles of any particular interval to return to the origin or to an 'octave' equivalent of that origin.

2. Any discrepancy involved in the comparison of intervals or pitches from two different tuning systems.

Used by Wilkinson 1988. Its use is sometimes synonymous with 'error' and 'deviation', which is usually measured in cents.

See also comma, diesis, kleisma, schisma.

[from Joe Monzo, JustMusic: A New Harmony]

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updated: 2002.2.24

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