What is a Comma?In terms of music, a Comma is a word used when referring to the discrepancies of distance between intervals inside of any given system. * There is no single unit that represents a comma but there are 2 main numeric values in widespread historical use: The Pythagorean Comma (also known as the Ditonic comma) is the discrepancy between twelve pure 5th's & seven pure octaves. It's the comma used in constructing the Equal Temperament system & is defined by the ratio 531441:524288 and the decimal 1.0136433. The Syntonic Comma (also known as the Diatonic comma) is the discrepancy between four pure 5th's & two octaves plus a Major 3rd. It's equivalent to the ratio 81:80 and the decimal 1.0125. What is a Diesis?A Diesis is the difference between a major semitone & a minor semitone. The distance of a diesis varies depending on the amount of tempering used in constructing the 5ths. The greater the tempering of the 5th's, the greater the difference between major & minor semitones (the diesis). For example: * Quarter-Comma Meantone tuning has a larger diesis than the 6th-Comma Meantone tuning system.. A quarter (1/4) is larger than a sixth (1/6).
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DiAmor3Science & Spirituality seen through the lens of Music Theory & Composition. Archives
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