Unlock the science behind musical tones, intervals, and tuning—explained with practical clarity.
This nonfiction treatise surveys how the structure of tones links physics and harmony, presenting methods to measure and compare intervals, millioctaves, and temperaments. It blends historical insight with concrete calculations, making complex ideas accessible to readers curious about how scales are built and why tuning matters.
Starting from foundational concepts like the fifth and fourth, it guides you through the idea of normal tones, comma-intervals, and the role of temperaments in real-world music practice. You’ll see how ancient and later theories evolved into a measurable system for understanding scales and harmony, including discussions of Pythagoras, tonal circles, and the practical limits of pure intervals.
- How intervals are defined and calculated, including millioctaves and log-based measures
- Differences between normal tones and comma-intervals in scale construction
- The concept of temperaments and how they shape practical tuning choices
- Historical context that connects physics, physiology, and harmony
Ideal for readers of music theory, acoustics, and anyone curious about how tuning theory informs performance and composition.