Pythagorean tuning
Fifth-based pitch system
Pythagorean tuning is a system for tuning musical instruments based on intervals derived from the ratio 3:2, which produces the pure perfect fifth.
By stacking these fifths, all twelve notes of the chromatic scale can be generated.
The system creates pure fifths but yields thirds that sound harsh compared to later tuning systems.
Pythagorean tuning dominated Western music through the medieval period before giving way to meantone and eventually equal temperament.
- commaPunctuation marking pauses
- ratioComparative numerical relation
- Ancient GreeceClassical Mediterranean civilization
- circle of fifthsKey relationships shown circularly
- intervalDuration between two points
Aristoxenus · perfect fifth · frequency · chromatic scale · octave · medieval music · modes · lyre · consonance · music theory · Plato · overtones · string instruments · string length · semitones · mathematical · vibration · spiral
- harmonyharmony, chord, chords, triad, triads
- Early Musicmedieval music, Gregorian chant, Renaissance music, motet, baroque music
- ancient musiclyre, pan pipes, panpipes, tibia, shofar