Microtonalis: A Systematic Approach to Microtonal Composition

Microtonalis is a complement to existing (Western) microtonal methods, which usually focus on either the quality of tuning ratios, via the harmonic series (i.e. the American model), or the spectral analysis of sound (i.e. the French model). Both of these approaches, while hugely important, are very vertical in nature, and rarely devote attention to the ability of microtones to move and function on the linear plane. This study proposes and delineates a method, or technical structure, whereby the horizontal movement of microtones, in both melodic and harmonic contexts, can be effectively and easily achieved.

Autorentext

Jesse Jones, DMA (b.1978), composer, conductor. Winner of the Rome Prize (American Academy in Rome), the Charles Ives Scholarship (American Academy of Arts and Letters), the Heckscher Prize, and a Barlow Endowment Commission. Studied at Cornell University. Currently Assistant Professor of Composition at the University of South Carolina.