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Subsets of Scales in Compositions Constructed by Similarity

Received: 14 April 2021    Accepted: 5 May 2021    Published: 27 May 2021
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Abstract

We present techniques in musical composition based on subsets of scales, built on theoretical notions, together with a number of examples. The techniques we describe are for constructing compositions with reference to memory, via similarity. We begin with some technical elements: after introducing the technique of intersecting accompaniments, we describe similarity concatenation compositions, which are special compositions constructed via similarity. We then outline a method to solve the problem of approximating scales with frequency ratios generated by rational numbers with small numerators and denominators, via equal temperament. As well as the standard solution via 12 tone equal temperament, we present a solution via 31 tone equal temperament. We then introduce the notion of a connected triheptad, generalising the tonic, subdominant and dominant of the major scale. We next present some examples of the notions previously introduced. Example 1 features a connected triheptad, and Example 2 features a connected triheptad, a similarity concatenation composition, and an intersecting accompaniment. There follows a section on cubist sets, featuring a returning similarity concatenation composition. We then move a conceptual level higher: we consider the concatenation of similarity concatenation compositions via similarity. This is reminiscent of higher dimensional algebra, and there follows a formal approach to higher dimensional relations, together with an example in 31 tone equal temperament using the formalism described earlier. We use the formalism of braids for our higher dimensional relations. We end with a section on musical applications of paths in graphs, generalising the chromatic scale.

Published in International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mathematics (Volume 7, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijtam.20210702.12
Page(s) 30-39
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Scale Subsets, Similarity Composition, Harmonics

References
[1] J. C. Baez and J. Dolan. Categorification. Contemporary Mathematics 230, pp. 1-36, 1998.
[2] J. C. Baez and M. Neuchl. Higher Dimensional Algebra I: Braided Monoidal 2-Categories. Advances in Mathematics 121, pp. 196-244, 1996.
[3] D. J. Benson. Music: A Mathematical Offering. Cambridge University Press, November 2006.
[4] A. Chan. Yoneda algebras of quasi-hereditary algebras, and simple-minded systems of triangulated categories. PhD Thesis. University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, 2014.
[5] J. Chuang and R. Rouquier. Derived equivalences for symmetric groups and sl2-categorification. Annals of Math. 167, pp. 245-298, 2008.
[6] J. Chuang and W. Turner. Cubist algebras. Advances in Mathematics 217 (4), pp. 1614-1670.
[7] Z. Dell. A Characterization of Braided Enriched Monoidal Categories. arxiv 2104. 07747, 2021.
[8] A. Joyal and R. Street. Braided tensor categories. Advances in Mathematics 102, pp. 20-78, 1993.
[9] D.Huron. Sweet Anticipation. Music and the Psychology of Expectation. Bradford, 2008.
[10] C. Jones, D. Penneys, D. Reutter. A 3-categorical perspective on G-crossed braided categories. arxiv 2009. 00405, 2020.
[11] C. Huygens. Brief betreffende de harmonische cyclus. Histoire des Ouvrages des Sc¸ avans, Rotterdam, pp. 78- 88, October 1691.
[12] A. Manion and R. Rouquier. Higher representations and cornered Heegaard Floer homology. arxiv 2009. 09627, 2020.
[13] W. Turner. Algebraic pure tone compositions constructed via similarity. Examples 1 and 2. World Journal of Education and Humanities. 2, 3, p. 21-27. http://homepages.abdn.ac.uk/w.turner/pages/
[14] W. Turner. Some scales that are similar to the chromatic scale. Far East Journal of Mathematical Sciences 122, 2, p. 199-214. http://homepages.abdn.ac.uk/w.turner/pages/
[15] W. Turner. Subsets of scales in compositions constructed by similarity. Example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. http://homepages.abdn.ac.uk/w.turner/pages/
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  • APA Style

    Will Turner. (2021). Subsets of Scales in Compositions Constructed by Similarity. International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mathematics, 7(2), 30-39. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijtam.20210702.12

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    ACS Style

    Will Turner. Subsets of Scales in Compositions Constructed by Similarity. Int. J. Theor. Appl. Math. 2021, 7(2), 30-39. doi: 10.11648/j.ijtam.20210702.12

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    AMA Style

    Will Turner. Subsets of Scales in Compositions Constructed by Similarity. Int J Theor Appl Math. 2021;7(2):30-39. doi: 10.11648/j.ijtam.20210702.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijtam.20210702.12,
      author = {Will Turner},
      title = {Subsets of Scales in Compositions Constructed by Similarity},
      journal = {International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mathematics},
      volume = {7},
      number = {2},
      pages = {30-39},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijtam.20210702.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijtam.20210702.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijtam.20210702.12},
      abstract = {We present techniques in musical composition based on subsets of scales, built on theoretical notions, together with a number of examples. The techniques we describe are for constructing compositions with reference to memory, via similarity. We begin with some technical elements: after introducing the technique of intersecting accompaniments, we describe similarity concatenation compositions, which are special compositions constructed via similarity. We then outline a method to solve the problem of approximating scales with frequency ratios generated by rational numbers with small numerators and denominators, via equal temperament. As well as the standard solution via 12 tone equal temperament, we present a solution via 31 tone equal temperament. We then introduce the notion of a connected triheptad, generalising the tonic, subdominant and dominant of the major scale. We next present some examples of the notions previously introduced. Example 1 features a connected triheptad, and Example 2 features a connected triheptad, a similarity concatenation composition, and an intersecting accompaniment. There follows a section on cubist sets, featuring a returning similarity concatenation composition. We then move a conceptual level higher: we consider the concatenation of similarity concatenation compositions via similarity. This is reminiscent of higher dimensional algebra, and there follows a formal approach to higher dimensional relations, together with an example in 31 tone equal temperament using the formalism described earlier. We use the formalism of braids for our higher dimensional relations. We end with a section on musical applications of paths in graphs, generalising the chromatic scale.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

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    JF  - International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mathematics
    JO  - International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mathematics
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    AB  - We present techniques in musical composition based on subsets of scales, built on theoretical notions, together with a number of examples. The techniques we describe are for constructing compositions with reference to memory, via similarity. We begin with some technical elements: after introducing the technique of intersecting accompaniments, we describe similarity concatenation compositions, which are special compositions constructed via similarity. We then outline a method to solve the problem of approximating scales with frequency ratios generated by rational numbers with small numerators and denominators, via equal temperament. As well as the standard solution via 12 tone equal temperament, we present a solution via 31 tone equal temperament. We then introduce the notion of a connected triheptad, generalising the tonic, subdominant and dominant of the major scale. We next present some examples of the notions previously introduced. Example 1 features a connected triheptad, and Example 2 features a connected triheptad, a similarity concatenation composition, and an intersecting accompaniment. There follows a section on cubist sets, featuring a returning similarity concatenation composition. We then move a conceptual level higher: we consider the concatenation of similarity concatenation compositions via similarity. This is reminiscent of higher dimensional algebra, and there follows a formal approach to higher dimensional relations, together with an example in 31 tone equal temperament using the formalism described earlier. We use the formalism of braids for our higher dimensional relations. We end with a section on musical applications of paths in graphs, generalising the chromatic scale.
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Author Information
  • Institute of Mathematics, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland

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