| Inverse | Septimal major second |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Other names | septimal minor seventh, subminor seventh, acute diminished just seventh, quarter comma augmented sixth |
| Abbreviation | m 7, H 7, min 7, accdim 7, Aug 6 |
| Size | |
| Semitones | ~9.7 |
| Interval class | ~2.3 |
| Just interval | 7:4[1] |
| Cents | |
| Just intonation | 968.826 |
The harmonic seventh interval, also known as the septimal minor seventh,[2][3] or subminor seventh,[4][5][6] is one with an exact 7:4 ratio[7] (about 969 cents).[8] This is somewhat narrower than and is, "particularly sweet",[9] "sweeter in quality" than an "ordinary"[10] just minor seventh, which has an intonation ratio of 9:5[11] (about 1018 cents).
The harmonic seventh arises from the harmonic series as the interval between the fourth harmonic (second octave of the fundamental) and the seventh harmonic; in that octave, harmonics 4, 5, 6, and 7 constitute the four notes (in order) of a purely consonant major chord (root position) with an added minor seventh (or augmented sixth, depending on the tuning system used).
- ^ Haluska, Jan (2003). "Harmonic seventh". The Mathematical Theory of Tone Systems. CRC Press. p. xxiii. ISBN 0-8247-4714-3.
- ^ Gann, Kyle (1998). "Anatomy of an octave". kylegann.com. Just Intonation Explained.
- ^ Partch, Harry (1979). Genesis of a Music. p. 68. ISBN 0-306-80106-X.
- ^ von Helmholtz, H.L.F.; Ellis, A.J. (2007). On the Sensations of Tone. Ellis, A.J. translator of English ed., editor, and author of an extensive appendix (reprint ed.). Cosimo. p. 456. ISBN 978-1-60206-639-7.
- ^ Ellis, A.J. (1880). "Notes of observations on musical beats". Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. 30 (200–205): 520–533. doi:10.1098/rspl.1879.0155.
- ^ Ellis, A.J. (1877). "On the measurement and settlement of musical pitch". Journal of the Society of Arts. 25 (1279): 664–687. JSTOR 41335396.
- ^ Horner, Andrew; Ayres, Lydia (2002). Cooking with Csound: Woodwind and brass recipes. A-R Editions. p. 131. ISBN 0-89579-507-8.
- ^ Bosanquet, R.H.M. (1876). An Elementary Treatise on Musical Intervals and Temperament. Houten, NL: Diapason Press. pp. 41–42. ISBN 90-70907-12-7.
- ^
Brabner, John H.F. (1884). The National Encyclopædia. Vol. 13. London, UK. p. 135 – via Google books.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Breakspeare, Eustace J. (1886–1887). "On certain novel aspects of harmony". Proceedings of the Musical Association. Royal Musical Association / Oxford University Press. p. 119.
- ^ Perrett, Wilfrid (1931–1932). "The heritage of Greece in music". Proceedings of the Musical Association. Royal Musical Association / Oxford University Press. p. 89.