Acoustics Experiment – F Major


 

So in an effort to be a better teacher, I have spent more time studying the physics of sound – focusing my time on a higher understanding of Just Intonation. It dawned on me that I need to use music from the Madison Scouts 2011 production to show examples like you are about to see/hear. Using Reason, I sustain the pitches of the chord I am demonstrating. Each time the chord is played, the intonation is slightly offset, followed by a gliss toward the chord in Just Intonation.

Take a look at this image.

GRID-Left to Right: Concert Pitches from Gb0 through C5
GRID-Top to Bottom: Cents
Top Left-hand Corner: Chord Name and Just Intonation of the chord
Top Right-hand GRID: Chord (written pitches) on the score- Trumpets, Mellos, Low Brass
Bottom Right-hand Corner: Title and Measure Number (in this case, NY, NY measure23)
BLUE BOXES: Surround the individual notes that is being played on the Cent where Just Intonation is achieved
Bottom of the GRID: Instruments listed below corresponding pitches
Here is how the F Major chord sounds in Just Intonation- F is ZERO, A is -14, C is +2.[player track=”https://bradkerrgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/FM_m23-ex1.mp3″]
Listen to mp3 Quicktime
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Now, let’s do a little THX-ing and listen to what’s going on with Just Intonation.
The pitch F will always be at ZERO.
Every example will end up like Example 1 by :04 mark.
Example 2 – we will put A at +25 and C at – 25.
Example 3 – we will put A at +10 and C at -10.
Example 4 – we will put A at 0 and C at 0.

Take a look at Example 2 below and listen to the example. Technically, it’s an F Major chord, but the tuning is extremely sharp in the A (+25) and extremely flat with C (-25).

Listen to the chord adjust to Just Intonation by :04.
[player track=”https://bradkerrgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/FM_m23-ex2.mp3″]
Listen to mp3 Quicktime
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Take a look at Example 3 below and listen to the example. Again, it’s an F Major chord, but the tuning is really sharp in the A (+10) and really flat with C (-10).

Listen to the chord adjust to Just Intonation by :04.
[player track=”https://bradkerrgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/FM_m23-ex3.mp3″]
Listen to mp3 Quicktime
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Finally, check out Example 4. This example is subtle. It starts with all three pitches at ZERO.

Listen for beats; listen to them disappear into Just Intonation by :04.
[player track=”https://bradkerrgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/FM_m23-ex4.mp3″]
Listen to mp3 Quicktime

This is the first of many entries like this. I have listened to these recordings on great speakers and average ear buds; I successfully heard differences on both. This is not new information, but it does clearly display the validity to Just Intonation.

Please share your thoughts.

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Comments

0 responses to “Acoustics Experiment – F Major”

  1. Nathan Pratt Avatar
    Nathan Pratt

    This is beautiful. This is an excellent demonstration of how each of us should consider, comprehend, and calibrate every note that he plays.

  2. Brian MacLafferty Avatar
    Brian MacLafferty

    I thought this was helpful. I liked the different audio examples so I can hear the difference. The YouTube video was very helpful. Thanks Brad.