Microtonal The term "microtonal music" usually refers to music containing very small intervals but can include any tuning that differs from Western twelve-tone equal temperament.

Mar 18, 2025 · In the glossary on his Rest Is Noise website, music critic Alex Ross defines microtonal music as “music that uses intervals smaller than the semitone, or uses a tuning system other than …

microtonal music, music using tones in intervals that differ from the standard semitones (half steps) of a tuning system or scale.

Microtones What is microtonal music? The term microtonal music is a general term for music that makes use of microtones—intervals smaller than a semitone. It refers to music that, in one way or another, …

Feb 5, 2026 · You can read about the microtonal composers, theorists, instrument makers, microtonal traditions, compositions, and the history of microtonal music. The tunings are presented in that context.

Jun 29, 2023 · In short, microtonal music is any music that contains notes or intervals not found in the standard Western tuning system. Of course, this invites the question: what is the standard Western …

All non-percussive instruments (with the exception of the tympani) of the standard orchestra have the ability to play the microtonal gradations in pitch with varying degrees of facility. Each has its own …

The decision (active, passive, or unknowing) to use any tuning system places a musician somewhere on the microtonal continuum, or within the microtonal multiverse.

I have a video on YouTube called “Microtonal Music Tutorial (Xenharmonic)” which I made for beginners, and it explains the basics of the harmonic series and just intonation.

What is Microtonal Music? Microtonal music is any music that isn't tuned in 12 tone equal temperament. It includes: The ancient Greek foundations of western music, like Pythagorean tuning, the seven-limit …