MARIMBAS
Log Drums
NOT LIVE
Brief Overview of 12-Tone Equal Tempered
Our Western music system utilizes the mathematically-derived 12-tone equal tempered or chromatic system which yields 12-notes between the octaves. There are familiar elements in this system:
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A letter has been assigned to each of the 12 tones along with a system of sharps and flats (e.g. C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, and B) which is derived from the layout of the piano keyboard.
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White keys represent the naturals (C, D, E. F, G, A, B).
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Black keys represent the accidentals C#, D#, F#, G#, A#).
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The equal-tempered construct means that the note-to-note relationship is such that a composition or song can be transposed and be equally performed in any of the twelve keys. "Transposing" is the basic magic of the 12-tone equal system.
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In 12-tone equal, the interval relationships (seconds, third, fourths, fifths, sixths, and sevenths) are always the same relationship regardless of the tonic key a song is composed in.
Scale Technical Definition: 12-Tone Equal Tempered
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Octave determined by the 12th root of 2 factor = 1.059463
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Number of notes per octave = 12
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Number of cents per octave = 1200
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Number of cents between notes = 100 (1200/12)
Brief Overview of Non-12-Equal
Non-12 equal tempered scales function the exact same way as 12-tone equal, but their number of notes per octave is different. This leads to different audible distances between neighboring notes creating the character of the scale. The 5-tone equal and 7-tone equal marimbas are representations of the non-12 system.
Non-12 equal scales don't utilize letters for pitches, instead they use numbers.
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Each marimba (below) has a two-octave range.
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Their lowest or starting pitch is Tenor C (C3) - notated as "1".
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Their middle (1) pitch is middle C (C4)
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Their highest pitch is treble C (C5)
5-Tone Equal Tempered
Model C311-ET5
2-Octave / 5-tone equal-tempered scale
No. of Notes: 11
Range: Tenor C (C3) to Treble C (C5)
Bars: African Padauk
Resonator: Poplar
Finish: Semi-gloss clear coat, waterbase
Dimensions: 29 L x 16" D x 13-1/2" H
Weight: 17lbs.
Pair of yarn-wound mallets
$385 (Plus packaging and shipping)
Scale Technical Definition: 5-Tone Equal
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Octave determined by the 5th root of 2 factor = 1.1486958
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Number of notes per octave = 5
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Number of cents per octave = 1200
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Number of cents between notes = 240 (1200/5)
Scale Character
Two note intervals with x no. of notes in between
On the Drawing Board - Other Non-12 Equal Tempered Scales
The following scales are in design. Once constructed, they will be posted to this website.
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8-Tone Equal (has 17 notes)
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9-Tone Equal (has 19 notes)
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10-Tone Equal (has 21 notes)
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11-Tone Equal (has 23 notes)
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13-Tone Equal (has 27 notes)
It is interesting to note that the 12-Tone Equal Tempered scale actually contains five equal-tempered scales within it. This is easily determined because the number 12 can be equally divided in five ways, as follows:
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2-Tone Equal (based on the flatted 5th or Tritone) - C, F#, C
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3-Tone Equal (based on major 3rds) - C, E, G#, C
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4-Tone Equal (based on minor 3rds) - C, D#, F#, A, C
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6-Tone Equal (based on the 2nd or whole-tone steps) - C, D, E, F#, G#, A#, C
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12-Tone Equal (based on half-steps) - C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C