Definitions of tuning terms

© 1998 by Joseph L. Monzo

All definitions by Joe Monzo unless otherwise cited


Chromatic


  • 1. An adjective which refers to an octave scale of 12 roughly semitonal intervals such as 12-tone equal temperament.

    See also chroma.

    [from John Chalmers, Divisions of the Tetrachord]

    ...........................

  • 2.In ancient Greek theory, one of the three basic types of genus. It had a characteristic interval of approximately a "minor 3rd" at the top of the tetrachord, then 2 successive intervals of approximately a "semitone" at the bottom, making up the 4/3 "perfect 4th".

  • 3. In several different medieval theories, a distinction was made between chromatic and diatonic semitones, as there were two different sizes of semitone in many tuning systems.

    In the Pythagorean [3-Limit] system, the chromatic semitone is also called the apotome.

    Marchetto specified three types of semitone and called the third, naturally enough, the enharmonic; however, his names were matched with the intervals differently than in traditional theory.

    [from Joe Monzo, JustMusic: A New Harmony]


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