Class: Musa::Scales::WholeToneScaleKind Private

Inherits:
ScaleKind show all
Defined in:
lib/musa-dsl/music/scale_kinds/symmetric/whole_tone_scale_kind.rb

Overview

This class is part of a private API. You should avoid using this class if possible, as it may be removed or be changed in the future.

Whole tone scale kind.

WholeToneScaleKind defines the whole tone scale, a six-note symmetric scale where every interval is a whole step (major second). It has a dreamy, ambiguous quality with no clear tonal center.

Pitch Structure

6 degrees plus extended:

Scale Degrees:

  • I (_1): Root (0 semitones)
  • II (_2): Major second (2 semitones)
  • III (_3): Major third (4 semitones)
  • IV# (_4): Augmented fourth (6 semitones)
  • V# (_5): Augmented fifth (8 semitones)
  • VII (_6): Minor seventh (10 semitones)

Symmetric Properties

  • Only 2 distinct whole tone scales exist (C and C#)
  • Every note can function as the root
  • Divides the octave into 6 equal parts
  • No perfect fifths = no strong harmonic function

Musical Character

The whole tone scale:

  • Dreamy, floating, ambiguous quality
  • No leading tones or tendency tones
  • Associated with impressionism (Debussy)
  • Used over augmented and dominant 7#5 chords

Usage

c_whole = Scales[:et12][440.0][:whole_tone][60]
c_whole[0].pitch  # C (60)
c_whole[3].pitch  # F# (66)

See Also:

Constant Summary collapse

@@pitches =

This classvariable is part of a private API. You should avoid using this classvariable if possible, as it may be removed or be changed in the future. 

[{ functions: %i[I _1 tonic first],
pitch: 0 },
             { functions: %i[II _2 second],
pitch: 2 },
             { functions: %i[III _3 third],
pitch: 4 },
             { functions: %i[IV _4 fourth],
pitch: 6 },
             { functions: %i[V _5 fifth],
pitch: 8 },
             { functions: %i[VI _6 sixth],
pitch: 10 },
             { functions: %i[VII _7 seventh],
pitch: 12 },
             { functions: %i[VIII _8 eighth],
pitch: 12 + 2 },
             { functions: %i[IX _9 ninth],
pitch: 12 + 4 },
             { functions: %i[X _10 tenth],
pitch: 12 + 6 },
             { functions: %i[XI _11 eleventh],
pitch: 12 + 8 },
             { functions: %i[XII _12 twelfth],
pitch: 12 + 10 }].freeze

Class Method Summary collapse

Constructor Details

This class inherits a constructor from Musa::Scales::ScaleKind

Class Method Details

.grades ⇒ Object

This method is part of a private API. You should avoid using this method if possible, as it may be removed or be changed in the future. 



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# File 'lib/musa-dsl/music/scale_kinds/symmetric/whole_tone_scale_kind.rb', line 87

def grades
  6
end

.id ⇒ Object

This method is part of a private API. You should avoid using this method if possible, as it may be removed or be changed in the future. 



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# File 'lib/musa-dsl/music/scale_kinds/symmetric/whole_tone_scale_kind.rb', line 91

def id
  :whole_tone
end

.pitches ⇒ Object

This method is part of a private API. You should avoid using this method if possible, as it may be removed or be changed in the future. 



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# File 'lib/musa-dsl/music/scale_kinds/symmetric/whole_tone_scale_kind.rb', line 83

def pitches
  @@pitches
end