Generated collection

In diatonic set theory, a generated collection is a collection or scale formed by repeatedly adding a constant interval in integer notation, the generator, also known as an interval cycle, around the chromatic circle until a complete collection or scale is formed. All scales with the deep scale property can be generated by any interval coprime with (in twelve-tone equal temperament) twelve. (Johnson, 2003, p. 83)

The C major diatonic collection can be generated by adding a cycle of perfect fifths (C7) starting at F: F-C-G-D-A-E-B = C-D-E-F-G-A-B. Using integer notation and modulo 12: 5 + 7 = 0, 0 + 7 = 7, 7 + 7 = 2, 2 + 7 = 9, 9 + 7 = 4, 4 + 7 = 11.

7-note segment of C5: the C major scale as a generated collection

The C major scale could also be generated using cycle of perfect fourths (C5), as 12 minus any coprime of twelve is also coprime with twelve: 12 − 7 = 5. B-E-A-D-G-C-F.

A generated collection for which a single generic interval corresponds to the single generator or interval cycle used is a MOS (for "moment of symmetry"[1]) or well formed generated collection. For example, the diatonic collection is well formed, for the perfect fifth (the generic interval 4) corresponds to the generator 7. Though not all fifths in the diatonic collection are perfect (B-F is a diminished fifth, tritone, or 6), a well formed generated collection has only one specific interval between scale members (in this case 6)—which corresponds to the generic interval (4, a fifth) but to not the generator (7) and this one differing interval is always the generator (7) plus or minus one (7 − 1 = 6) if the total number of specific intervals (12) and the generic interval's corresponding specific interval (7) are coprime (12 and 7 are). The pentatonic scale is also well formed. (Johnson, 2003, p. 83)

The properties of generated and well-formedness were described by Norman Carey and David Clampitt in "Aspects of Well-Formed Scales" (1989), (Johnson, 2003, p. 151.) In earlier (1975) work, non-academic theoretician Erv Wilson considered the idea, and called such a scale a MOS, an acronym for "Moment of Symmetry". While unpublished, this terminology became widely known and used in the microtonal music community.

A degenerate well-formed collection is a scale in which the generator and the interval required to complete the circle or return to the initial note are equivalent and include all scales with equal notes, such as the whole-tone scale. (Johnson, 2003, p. 158, n. 14)

A bisector is a weaker substitute used to create collections that cannot be generated.

See also

• distance model
• circle of fifths
• Pythagorean tuning

External links

• Handwritten letter of Erv Wilson [2]

References

• Carey, Norman and Clampitt, David (1989). "Aspects of Well-Formed Scales", Music Theory Spectrum 11: 187–206.
• Clough, Engebretsen, and Kochavi. "Scales, Sets, and Interval Cycles", 79.
• Johnson, Timothy (2003). Foundations of Diatonic Theory: A Mathematically Based Approach to Music Fundamentals. Key College Publishing. ISBN 1-930190-80-8.