Definitions of tuning terms

© 1998 by Joseph L. Monzo

All definitions by Joe Monzo unless otherwise cited


Semitone


  • 1. With the first letter capitalized and always with two decimal places in the number, a term used by me to delineate 1200 logarithmic divisions of the "octave", thus exactly analogus to Ellis's measurement of cents.

    I feel that since the prime-factor or ratio notations give precise measurements, and 1/1200th of an "octave" is approximately the limit of human pitch discrimination, more precision than this is not ordinarily needed, and I prefer to use the decimal point so that the interval may be related immediately to the familiar 12-EQ scale. I use cents on occasion, when I feel that more precision is valuable.

  • 2. With all letters in lower-case and no decimal places in the number, the term simply refers to a logarithmic division of 1/12 of an "octave", or one degree or "half-step" in the familiar 12-EQ scale.

    In this specific sense, the Semitone is calculated as the 12th root of 2, or 2(1/12), an irrational proportion with the approximate ratio of 1:1.059463094359.

    [from Joe Monzo, JustMusic: A New Harmony]

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    A Half Tone, a musical interval ranging from about 25/24 (71 cents [¢]) to 27/25 (133¢). Unless qualified by context, a semitone equals 100¢.

    Semitones measuring less than 100¢ are technically microtones.

    [from John Chalmers, Divisions of the Tetrachord]


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