{"id":985,"date":"2023-06-23T15:12:43","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T15:12:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/makingmusic4ever.com\/?p=985"},"modified":"2025-09-27T22:58:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T22:58:57","slug":"far-beyond-the-12-tones-exploring-the-riches-of-microtonal-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/makingmusic4ever.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/23\/far-beyond-the-12-tones-exploring-the-riches-of-microtonal-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Far beyond the 12 tones: exploring the Riches of Microtonal Music"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Microtonality?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comparing Tempered Tones with Microtons<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Examples of Microtonal Music in Other Cultures<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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