Just Intonation

A tuning system having intervals that are acoustically pure

"Just Intonation" is a musical tuning system that uses pure whole number ratios to define the relationships between musical intervals. In this system, intervals are tuned to express the most harmonious and simple frequency ratios, resulting in pure and resonant harmonies. However, due to the nature of these ratios, it can lead to challenges when modulating between different keys.

In Just Intonation, musical intervals are tuned according to ratios of whole numbers. This tuning approach aims to achieve the most consonant and harmonious intervals by using simple ratios of frequencies. For example, the perfect fifth interval has a frequency ratio of 3:2, which means that the higher note vibrates three times for every two vibrations of the lower note.

Unlike "Equal Temperament", Just Intonation focuses on creating pure and naturally resonant harmonies. However, this system has its limitations when it comes to playing in different keys. Since each key has a unique set of intervals, modulating between keys can result in intervals that are no longer pure, causing dissonance. This makes Just Intonation more suitable for certain types of music, such as choral and acapella singing, where complex modulations are less common.

Despite its challenges, Just Intonation remains a valuable tuning system for musicians and composers seeking to achieve specific harmonic qualities and resonance. It is particularly prominent in music traditions that prioritize rich harmonies and use instruments that allow for adjustments to individual pitches, such as the human voice and certain string instruments.

Example of Just Intonation

Just Intonation vs 12 Tone Equal Temperament

Tutor's Video (Aaron Leung)

Frankie Chan

Frankie Chan

California Baptist University (US), Hong Kong Baptist University
Master
Violin, Western Music Theory
Marius Ho

Marius Ho

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Education University of Hong Kong
Master (Current)
Flute
Winnie Lui

Winnie Lui

Hong Kong Baptist University
Bachelor
Clarinet
Joey Ho

Joey Ho

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Bachelor
Violin, Viola, Western Music Theory
Cyrus Wong

Cyrus Wong

Hong Kong Baptist University
Bachelor (Current)
Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Western Music Theory
Mr Kent

Kent Chan

Royal Northern College of Music (UK), Hong Kong Baptist University
Master
Violin
Pachelbel's Canon

Canon in D

Canon in D, one of the most widely known classical music pieces of contemporary times, is composed by German composer Johann Pachelbel. The original version of Canon in D is composed for three violins, accompanied by one (or more) bass instrument(s). Over time, the piece has been arranged into various versions, such as piano solo and orchestral versions. The exact date of its composition is not recorded but it is generally believed to be composed between 1680-1706.
G Song

G Song by Terry Riley

As an iconic American composer, Terry Riley (born 1935) is always considered as a minimalist. However, this kind of thoughts would be ignoring part of his creativity. In fact, Riley added plenty elements in his compositions since 1970s, especially when he started collaborating with the Kronos Quartet. Riley’s composing style is very extensive, including improvisation, polyrhythm and jazz. He adopted classical elements, such as instrumentation, musical forms, structure and tonality. He also combined the elements from different periods to create unique musical textures. This research focuses on Terry Riley’s String Quartet, G Song. The research will be divided into two parts. The first part introduces Riley’s life and the background of G Song. The second part focuses on music analysis, including the musical structure “Two forms in one work”; The harmony “Unresolved Dissonance”; The rhythm “Metric Modulation”; The baroque “Canon”; The modern “Pointillism”. The purpose of this study is to discuss how Riley combined classicism and modernism into a work, and discuss why the statement “Terry Riley is considered as minimalist” would be ignoring part of his story.
Read the music carefully

Common Practice Guide

After many years of being a student first and a teacher after, we often noticed that in our every day practice we can make small mistakes that may slow us down or might not bring the best out of our music. With these short tips we tried to go through some of them, hoping it will help students (and not only!) in their daily practice.

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