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.

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

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 …

Jan 17, 2026 · Microtonal music is music that includes intervals outside of those from the customary Western tuning of twelve equal divisions of the octave (12edo). The boundaries of microtonal music …

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.

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, …

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.

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

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 …

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 …