Perfect consonance

From Xenharmonic Reference
Revision as of 08:20, 17 May 2026 by Vector (talk | contribs) (Created page with "A '''perfect consonance''' is one of the most consonant intervals; they are usually extremely easy to sing and recognize by ear. The set of perfect consonances is equivalent in most systems of theory to the '''3-odd-limit''', which is the set of intervals wherein the highest allowable odd in the numerator and denominator is 3. It is the smallest odd-limit containing intervals of the 3-limit. == Table of 3-odd-limit intervals == Reduced to an octave, the intervals of the...")
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

A perfect consonance is one of the most consonant intervals; they are usually extremely easy to sing and recognize by ear. The set of perfect consonances is equivalent in most systems of theory to the 3-odd-limit, which is the set of intervals wherein the highest allowable odd in the numerator and denominator is 3. It is the smallest odd-limit containing intervals of the 3-limit.

Table of 3-odd-limit intervals

Reduced to an octave, the intervals of the 3-odd-limit are:

Interval Cents Name
1/1 0.0 Unison
4/3 498.0 Perfect 4th
3/2 702.0 Perfect 5th
2/1 1200.0 Octave

Approximation by edos

All edos are consistent to the 3-odd-limit, because the requirement is simply to map 3/1 somewhere between 1800c and 2400c, which is a property of all edos. The first edo that is distinctly consistent to the 3-odd-limit is 3edo. However, the first edos that tune all its intervals reasonably accurately are 5edo and 7edo, outlining the basic structures of equipentatonic and equiheptatonic scales.

Intervals of the 3-odd-limit

More info at 5-odd-limit#Perfect consonances.