Musica Melopoetica

Quartal Locrian Scale (Notation in Thumbnail and Cover Image by Evan Bennet)

Quartal Locrian Scale (Notation in Thumbnail and Cover Image by Evan Bennet)

Theory time! "Quartal Locrian" is a synthetic scale consisting of a half step followed by two whole steps followed by a half step and two whole steps again, repeating ad infinitum so that the scale is non-repeating with respect to actual "pitch quartiles" across the gamut although bound by the strict pattern already mentioned. Potentially allows for wacky quartal harmony, but the composer or improviser is obligated to play pitches that exist in the scale at the octave written, rather than transposing to octave equivalents (aside from tasteful "chromaticism" where warranted). 

From "bottom" to "top", pitches are F - G♭ - A♭ - B♭ - C♭ (or B♮) - D♭ - E♭ - F♭ (or E♮) - G♭ - A♭ - B♭♭ (or A♮) - C♭ (or B♮) - D♭ - D - E - F♯ - G - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A - B♭ - C - D - E♭ - F - G - A♭ - B♭ - C - D♭ - E♭ - F 

Thanks to Evan Bennet (https://www.youtube.com/user/AnAmericanComposer) for introducing me to this peculiar scale and for the beautiful notation serving as a thumbnail.

 

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PhilipDaniel
PhilipDaniel

I am a young composer working in a highly personal Late Romantic idiom.


Musica Melopoetica
Musica Melopoetica

Music theory and composition, music history, (ethno)musicology, aesthetic philosophy, and much much more, presented in a readily accessible manner.

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