Music has the power to transport us to different moods, evoke emotions and awaken our imagination. Since ancient times, human being have sought to explore and expand the limits of music and perhaps you are wondering, what a hell is microtonal music? Western music as we know is based on twelve tones, which are the notes of the tempered scale: C, C#, D, D#, E and so on until the entire chromatic scale has twelve notes. However, oriental music makes use of notes that fall between the notes of the chromatic scale. Thus, between C and C sharp, we have infinite sound frequencies. In this post, we are going to explore the fascinating world of musical microtonality, explaining what it is, comparing it to western music. We will also show some examples of its use in different cultures around the world.
What is Microtonality?
To understand microtonality, let’s first recap the tuning system we use. In Western music, we use a tempered scale, divided into 12 equal tones, called semitones. This equal division allows for a wide variety of tone and chord combinations, but it also limits sonic accuracy and richness. On the piano, when we play a D flat, it has the same sound as a C sharp, because the note is tuned at a medium frequency. On the violin, for example, it is possible to notice that C sharp and D flat are not the same note. However, if we are within the same scale, we have 12 notes in the chromatic scale and the distance between them is half a tone or a semitone.
Microtonality, on the other hand, expands this division into units smaller than a semitone. Microtones are intervals that represent fractions of the tone, allowing for greater flexibility and a wider sonic palette. This means that we can access intervals that are not present in traditional Western music, such as quartertones, fifthtones, etc.
Comparing Tempered Tones with Microtons
To better understand the difference between tempered tones and microtones, let’s use a simple example. Imagine an eight-note scale, similar to the western major scale. In Western music, each note is separated by a semitone. However, in microtonal music, we can divide each semitone into even smaller intervals.
Let’s assume that we divide each semitone into two microtones. Now, instead of eight notes in our scale, we will have sixteen, allowing for more varied and complex interval combinations. This approach offers greater creative freedom, allowing composers to explore a wider range of sonic nuances.
Examples of Microtonal Music in Other Cultures
Now that we understand the basic concept of microtonality, let’s explore how it is used in different musical cultures around the world. Arab, Israeli, Hindu and Chinese cultures make use of microtonality in their music. Each culture has its own instruments, generally string or wind instrument, where it is possible to work between tones.
Arabic music, for example, is known for its use of maqams, which are microtonal modal scales. Each maqam has a series of specific microtonal intervals, which create a distinct and rich sound. The following video is an example of Arabic music that has microtonal notes.
Indian music, especially Hindustani classical music and Carnatic music, also make extensive use of microtones. Indian ragas, which are traditional melodies, are built around subtle and complex microtonal intervals. Each raga has a specific combination of microtonal intervals, creating a unique sound experience.
The following example shows microtonal melody in Hindu music. Both vocal and instrumental walk through the tones in a natural way, revealing both the melody and the harmony of microtonality.
Traditional Chinese music also incorporates microtonality into its musical practice. The Chinese tuning system, known as “justified temperament”, has microtonal intervals that differ from western tempered tones. These microtones are used to create distinctive scales and chords, giving Chinese music its distinctive sound. See in the example below a sample of Chinese music whose free translation into English is Guzheng: “Spring River Flower Moon Night
The Cultural and Creative Importance of Microtonality
Microtonality plays a key role in the cultural and creative diversity of music around the world. By exploring microtonal intervals, musical traditions can express a wider range of emotions and sonic nuances, creating unique musical identities.
In addition, microtonality has also been a source of inspiration for contemporary composers, who seek to expand the boundaries of music and explore new sonic possibilities. By incorporating microtones into their compositions, they challenge established musical conventions, paving the way for broader and more imaginative sonic experimentation.
Microtonal music takes us into fascinating sonic territory, where subtle and complex intervals are explored beyond the confines of the western temperate scale. This approach enriches the musical experience, allowing different cultures to express their unique musical identities and encouraging the creativity of contemporary composers. It also challenges us to expand our sound perception and explore new musical possibilities. It invites us to step outside the comfort zone of the western temperate scale and discover new tones and hues that can surprise and inspire us.
Therefore, when listening to a microtonal melody, be open and receptive, allowing yourself to be transported into a different sound world. Explore the subtle nuances of microtonal intervals and immerse yourself in the complexity and beauty they have to offer.
Microtonality in Western Music
What about western music? Is it possible to find microtonality? In a way yes, when using instruments capable of continuously modulating from one note to another. Brass instruments can do this, or when a guitarist bends the string during a solo, he is experiencing microtones. At the beginning of the song Rhapsody in Blue Debut by George Gershwin, the clarinet makes a glissando going from low F to high B, passing through all the notes of the scale. Take a look at the beginning of the song in the video below.
However, in these examples, the music passes through the microtones, but does not rest on them. For this to be possible it is necessary to use instruments in which it is possible to play microtones, or adapt them. That’s what the Australian band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard did when they released their album “Flying Microtonal Banana” which is written in a 24-note scale instead of 12.
In the video below you can see that the guitar has more divisions on the neck than the traditional ones. This modification was inspired by the Turkish blagama instrument (see figure below). Guitarist Stu Mckensie wrote the album to be played on his microtonal guitar.
Turkish Blagama – Microtonal Instrument
Musical Notation of Microtonal Music
But how is the musical notation of microtonal music done? Well, there are variations according to each culture, as well as how the scale is subdivided. However, it is possible to adapt the usual writing and add microtones. see in the following figure that some sharp signs present one or three vertical lines instead of the usual two lines. This shows that note is above or below the note, but not reaching the next one on the chromatic scale.
We can also create completely new chords with these microtonal intervals. Levi McClain shows in a video on his channel YouTube how can we find chords that are neither major nor minor, but are among them like sub-minor chords and super-major chords. It sounds strange, and indeed it is for those of us who are used to the conventions of Western music. Microtonality is a whole new world for us Westerners. However, it’s worth knowing and if you want to venture out, why not create your own microtonal compositions?
Learn More
Microtonality in Western Music by David Benett – YouTube (Microtonality in Western Music – YouTube)
Microtonality in Western Music by David Benett – YouTube (Microtonality in Western Music – YouTube)
20-th Century Microtonal Notation – Gardner Read
Microtonalis: A systematic Approach to Microtonal Composition – Jones Jesse
Çifteli: This microtonal instrument changed the way I think about music bt David Hilowitz – YouTube (Çifteli: This microtonal instrument changed the way I think about music – YouTube)
How to make Microtonal Lo-Fi Hip Hop by Adam Neely – YouTube (How to make Microtonal Lo-Fi Hip Hop – YouTube)
