This is actually really pretty good. The descending triads are similar to passages that John Coltrane might have used. I use those kind of figures too, playing descending triads, related my minor or major thirds, rapidly over a single chord. Makes for interesting dissonance.

@clarinetjo: thank you very much! Using whole numbers / Just Intonation gives me access to many frequencies which are out of range for standard instruments / tunings :)

This is insaniac! How many pitches does this use? Could it feasibly be done on something like the Adjustable Microtonal Guitar?

This track is an example of a simple twelve bar backing track accompanying a solo melody written in free Just Intonation (JI).

JI allows access to all the frequencies, not just the ones on the piano keyboard or guitar frets. Often musicians when playing the blues, jazz, or guitar solos, bend the string to produce a higher pitch. In this track, there are no 'bent' notes, only precisely specified notes which are often noticeably different to the standard notes from 12-EDO.

Some devices used include:
- No scale - only addressing frequencies (in Hz) directly via whole numbers. E.g. 4, 5, 6 multiplied by 60 Hz would give 240Hz, 300Hz, 360Hz directly.
- Descending harmonic series, e.g. 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16
- What sounds like vibrato, but is actually a combination of holding and sliding pitches several times a beat
- Rapid switching of frequency several times a beat, this is a common chip tune device.
- Descending shifting triads, e.g. 61, 54, 47, 56, 49, 42, 51, 44, 37, 46, 39, 32...

Just Intonation is the future for those of us who like both maths and music! I understand that not everyone wants numbers in their music composition. However, that's fundamentally what frequencies are, thats what harmony is, a combination of whole numbers. And you get more interesting results when using the numbers for what they are, which is unique chords well outside of traditional harmony. I am particularly enjoying the sound of the prime numbers 11, 13, 23, 29, 31, 41, 43 and 61 in this composition.

May the prime numbers be with you! Enjoy - Dave

----------

See also:
- https://arxiv.org/a/ryan_d_1 (arXiv) for a list of my academic paper pre-prints, including my writing on music theory and Just Intonation
- http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4785-9766 (ORC ID) for my academic profile
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidryan59 for my LinkedIn profile

Example of the Twelve Bar Blues with crazy Solo in Just Intonation

I'm into Just Intonation (JI), which is using harmonics (or undertones) to generate music. Over time, my profile will fill up with wonderful and melodious New Harmony, fresh from the infinite vaults of the original and best source of harmony, Just Intonation.

I’ve written some papers on the music theory of Just Intonation. You can check them out via the arXiv link below. Topics include the mathematical analysis of harmony (in Just Intonation), and a notation system to cover all of Just Intonation.

Enjoy listening!

Comments

Jordan P. Holcombe

TpX Thinnr

Vale (independent)

David Ryan

Jonny Lipsham Studios