Neutral interval
In
Roughly, neutral intervals are a quarter tone sharp from minor intervals and a quarter tone flat from major intervals. In just intonation, as well as in tunings such as 31-ET, 41-ET, or 72-ET, which more closely approximate just intonation, the intervals are closer together.
minor | neutral | major | |
---|---|---|---|
seconds | D♭ | ≊ D | D♮ |
thirds | E♭ | ≊ E | E♮ |
sixths | A♭ | ≊ A | A♮ |
sevenths | B♭ | ≊ B | B♮ |
Second
neutral seventh | |
---|---|
Name | |
Abbreviation | n2 |
Size | |
Semitones | ~1+1⁄2 |
Interval class | ~1+1⁄2 |
Just interval | 11:10 or 12:11[1] |
Cents | |
12-Tone equal temperament | 100 or 200 |
24-Tone equal temperament | 150 |
Just intonation | 165 or 151 |
A neutral second or medium second is an interval wider than a
- The intermediate neutral second, called the lesser undecimal neutral second ⓘ, has a ratio between the higher-frequency tone to the lower-frequency tone of 12:11 and is about 150.64 cents wide, while the larger one,
- the greater undecimal neutral second eleventh and twelfth harmonics. The greater undecimal neutral second may be derived from the harmonic seriesas the interval between the tenth and eleventh harmonics.
- An equal-tempered neutral second ⓘ is characterized by a difference in 150 cents between the two tones, a hair smaller than a ratio of frequencies between the two tones of 12:11, and exactly half of an equal-tempered minor third.
The equal-tempered neutral is found in some traditional
In equal temperament
Approximations to the 12:11 and 11:10 neutral seconds can be found in a number of equally tempered tuning systems. 11:10 is very closely matched by 22-ET, whereas 12:11 is matched by 24-ET, 31-ET and 41-ET. 72-ET matches both intervals closely and is also the smallest widely used equal temperament that uniquely matches both intervals. Tuning systems that temper out the comma of 121:120 do not distinguish between the two intervals. 17-ET has a neutral second between 12:11 and 13:12, and a neutral third between 16:13 and 11:9.
Seventh
neutral second | |
---|---|
Name | |
Other names | - |
Abbreviation | n7 |
Size | |
Semitones | ~10+1⁄2 |
Interval class | ~1+1⁄2 |
Just interval | 11:6,[1] 64:35,[2] or 24:13 |
Cents | |
12-Tone equal temperament | 1000 or 1100 |
24-Tone equal temperament | 1050 |
Just intonation | 1049, 1045, or 1061 |
A neutral seventh is a musical interval wider than a minor seventh ⓘ but narrower than a major seventh ⓘ. Four distinct intervals may be termed neutral sevenths:
- A septimal neutral seventh ⓘ has a ratio of 64:35 or about 1045 cents.
- The just undecimal neutral seventh has a ratio of 11:6 between the .
- A tridecimal neutral seventh frequencies of the two tones, or about 1061 cents. This is the largest neutral seventh, and occurs infrequently in music, as little music utilizes the 13th harmonic.
- An equal-tempered neutral seventh ⓘ is characterized by a difference in 1050 cents between the two tones, a hair larger than the 11:6 ratio, and exactly half of an equal-tempered major thirteenth (octave plus major sixth).
These intervals are all within about 12 cents of each other and are difficult for most people to distinguish.
A neutral seventh can be formed by stacking a neutral third together with a perfect fifth. Based on its positioning in the harmonic series, the undecimal neutral seventh implies a root one perfect fifth below the lower of the two notes.
See also
- Major fourth and minor fifth
- Subminor and supermajor
- List of pitch intervals
- Microtonal music
References
- ^ ISBN 0-8247-4714-3. 3/4-tone, undecimal neutral second and 21/4-tone, undecimal neutral seventh.
- ^ Haluska (2003), p.?. Septimal neutral seventh.
- ^ ISBN 0-89579-507-8.