Definitions of tuning terms

© 1998 by Joseph L. Monzo

All definitions by Joe Monzo unless otherwise cited

indigestibility


    a measure of the dissonance due to the size of the prime factors of musical intervals (Barlow, 1987).

    The indigestibility, x(P), of the prime number P is defined as 2*(P-1)2/P. Examples are x(3) = 2.667, x(5) = 6.400, and x(7) = 10.286.

    The indigestibility of a composite number is the sum of the indigestibilities of its prime factors. For example x(15) = x(3) + x(5) or 2.667 + 6.400 = 9.067.

    Indigestibilities are combined to generate the Harmonicity and Specific Harmonicity functions

    [from John Chalmers, Divisions of the Tetrachord, see chapter 5]

    see also complexity

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