Mathematical Foundations of Complex Tonality

arXiv2208.04974MaRDI QIDQ6407434FDOQ6407434

Authors: Jeffrey R. Boland, Lane P. Hughston 

Publication date: 9 August 2022

Abstract: Equal temperament, in which semitones are tuned in the irrational ratio of $2^{1/12}:1$, is best seen as a serviceable compromise, sacrificing purity for flexibility. Just intonation, in which intervals are given by products of powers of $2$, $3$, and $5$, is more natural, but of limited flexibility. We propose a new scheme in which ratios of Gaussian integers form the basis of an abstract tonal system. The tritone, so problematic in just temperament, given ambiguously by the ratios $frac4532$, $frac6445$, $frac3625$, $frac2518$, none satisfactory, is in our scheme represented by the complex ratio $1+mi:1$. The major and minor whole tones, given by intervals of $frac98$ and $frac109$, can each be factorized into products of complex semitones, giving us a major complex semitone $frac34(1+mi)$ and a minor complex semitone $frac13(3+mi)$. The perfect third, given by the interval $frac54$, factorizes into the product of a complex whole tone $frac12(1+2mi)$ and its complex conjugate. Augmented with these supplementary tones, the resulting scheme of complex intervals based on products of low powers of Gaussian primes leads to the construction of a complete system of major and minor scales in all keys.

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