Overtone Music Network

a common space & database for harmonic overtones

Lesser diesis, syntonic comma and Pythagorean comma

Cindarellas half sisters: "Cut a heel and a toe!"

The partials #1 and #2 of the harmonic series form the mother octave, the frame of the tonal patterns. The spiral is suitable as analogy of the octave principle. One winding of the spiral represents one tonal octave: An already established tonal quality is repeated on a lower or higher level. Visually and aurally obvious.

When the further elements of the series are added and used for generating tonal systems, problems may arise:

- 7 octaves almost equal 12 perfect fifths (3rd partial of the harmonic series) but only almost!
The deviation is called the Pythagorean comma.

- Three just major thirds (5th partial of the harmonic series) almost equal one octave but only almost!
This deviation is called lesser diesis.

- And the major third generated by perfect fifths deviates quite a bit from the major third of the harmonic series.
This deviation is called the syntonic comma.

There are more commas in the field of tonality but these are fundamental and involves the three primary harmonic factors:

2 = octave
3 = perfect fifth
5 = just major third

What is really remarkable is that with the equal tempered octave we assume that the yellow dots fall on the blue radii and the violet arms are straight and convergent with 12 o'clock, 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock!!

Feel free to grasp, feel free to share!

This content has been seen 208 times

Albums: Key Figures

Comment

You need to be a member of OMN to add comments. Sign up, it's free!

Join Overtone Music Network

Latest Activity

A photo by Daniel Pircher was featured
8 hours ago
Sukadev Bretz posted events
yesterday
Daniel Pircher posted photos
Saturday
Daniel Pircher posted videos
Saturday
A photo by Borg Diem Groeneveld was featured
Mar 18
Sukadev Bretz posted a video

Mantra for love and kindness | Shiva Shiva Shambho | Om Namah Shivaya by Shankrara & Mantra Circle

Shiva Shiva Shiva ShambhoShiva Shiva Shiva ShambhoMahadeva ShambhoPerformed byShankara – vocals, harmonium (https://www.shankarayoga.de/)Franziska – percussi...
Mar 17
Willi Grimm posted a video
Feb 7
A photo by Vladiswar Nadishana was featured
Feb 3
Sukadev Bretz posted a video

Mantra for peace and joy | Om Sat Chid Ananda Mula Mantra by Bhakti from Mantra Circle

Dmom sat chit ananda parabrahmaDmpurushothama paramatma Csri bhagavathi sametha Dmsri bhagavathe namaha Dmhari om tat sat Chari ...
Jan 14
A photo by Willi Grimm was featured
Dec 31, 2024
Jens Mügge commented on Willi Grimm's video
Dec 30, 2024
Willi Grimm posted a video

NATURTON - Ein Wasserreservoir Konzert 2024

Liebe NATURTON FangemeindeSpezielle Klangräume begleiten uns, seit wir uns zum erstenMal getroffen haben.Und das sind bereits 38 Jahre her!Eine andere bemerk...
Dec 29, 2024

© 2007 - 2025   Legal Notice - Privacy Policy -   Powered by

 |  Support | Privacy  |  Terms of Service