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Unison or perfect unison (also called a prime, or perfect prime) [3] may refer to the (pseudo-) interval formed by a tone and its duplication (in German, Unisono, Einklang, or Prime), for example C–C, as differentiated from the second, C–D, etc. In the unison the two pitches have the ratio of 1:1 or 0 half steps and zero cents.
A perfect unison (also known as perfect prime) [5] is an interval formed by two identical notes. Its size is zero cents . A semitone is any interval between two adjacent notes in a chromatic scale, a whole tone is an interval spanning two semitones (for example, a major second ), and a tritone is an interval spanning three tones, or six ...
The consonant intervals are considered the perfect unison, octave, fifth, fourth and major and minor third and sixth, and their compound forms. An interval is referred to as "perfect" when the harmonic relationship is found in the natural overtone series (namely, the unison 1:1, octave 2:1, fifth 3:2, and fourth 4:3).
Meaning respectively "measured song" or "figured song". Originally used by medieval music theorists, it refers to polyphonic song with exactly measured notes and is used in contrast to cantus planus. [3] [4] capo 1. capo (short for capotasto: "nut") : A key-changing device for stringed instruments (e.g. guitars and banjos)
The term perfect has also been used as a synonym of just, to distinguish intervals tuned to ratios of small integers from those that are "tempered" or "imperfect" in various other tuning systems, such as equal temperament. [6] [7] The perfect unison has a pitch ratio 1:1, the perfect octave 2:1, the perfect fourth 4:3, and the perfect fifth 3:2.
For example, a just perfect fifth (for example C to G) is 3:2 (Play ⓘ), 1.5, and may be approximated by an equal tempered perfect fifth (Play ⓘ) which is 2 7/12 (about 1.498). If the A above middle C is 440 Hz , the perfect fifth above it would be E , at (440*1.5=) 660 Hz, while the equal tempered E5 is 659.255 Hz.
Other scales with a minor third and a perfect fifth (i.e. containing a minor triad) are also commonly referred to as minor scales. Within the diatonic modes of the major scale, in addition to the Aeolian mode (which is the natural minor scale), the Dorian mode and the Phrygian mode also fall under this definition.
Parallel motion at an interval of a perfect fifth is known as parallel or consecutive fifths, and at an interval of an octave is known as parallel or consecutive octaves. Perfect intervals, i.e. the (perfect) unison, fifth and octave, are generally avoided in traditional counterpoint because they offer the lines so little independence from each ...