User:Vector/Vector's interval naming scheme

From Xenharmonic Reference

Vector's interval naming scheme begins as a simple formal-comma-based scheme. However, the direction of alteration is defined as towards the neutral ("in") or away from the neutral ("out"). The formal commas are those from FJS, specifically FloraC's version.


The basic set of adjectives are

Prime Adjectives Prefixes Alteration direction
5 classical penta- in
7 septimal septi- out
11 undecimal undeci- in
13 tridecimal trideci- in
17 septendecimal sede- in
19 undevicesimal devi- in
23 vicesimotertial vice- out
29 vicesimononal vine- in
31 tricesimoprimal trice- in[a]

[a] for octaves and unisons, "in" always flattens and "out" always sharpens, except for augmented/diminished unisons/octaves. Chromatic semitones and octaves can't use ADIN labels.

Other elements:

  • retro- : Reverses the direction of alteration. Applies to all following elements.
  • para- : Changes the diatonic interval referenced to the simplest one a Pythagorean comma away. (So, a paraclassical diminished fourth and a classical major third are the same interval, and "paraclassical" functions as a term meaning "inflect inwards by a schisma".
  • trans- : Changes the diatonic interval referenced to the simplest one a diatonic semitone away. (So, a transclassical perfect fourth and a classical major third are the same interval.)
  • alter- : Changes the diatonic interval referenced to the simplest one a chromatic semitone away. (So, an alterclassical minor third and a classical major third are the same interval.)

para-, trans-, and/or alter- all go at the beginning of an interval name. Stacking multiple of the same one works like warts do, where it successively uses more and more complex offsets by multiples of its relevant comma.

Under this scheme, 14/11 may be called the transeptiretroundecimal major third.

But that sounds stupid.

Fortunately, the scheme provides elements for certain composite formal commas as well:

Number Primes Adjectives Prefixes Alteration direction
5 paraclassical schismic schi- in
25 paradiclassical diaschismic diaschi- out
125 paratriclassical dietic dieti- out
7/5 septiclassical aberschismic argi- out
7/5 parasepticlassical schismean schimi- in
35 pentaretroseptimal minty minti- in
11/7 transeptiretroundecimal pentacircle neo- out
11/5 alterundeciclassical pine tardi- in
13/5 transtrideciclassical barbados barba- out
19/5 paradeviclassical eratosthenean erato- out
17/5 parasedeclassical diatismic tismi- out
7/25 schimiretroclassical, diaschiretroseptimal marvel marvi- in
49/5 paraargiseptimal greenwoodmic grewi- in