Musical scales optimize pitch spacing: A global analysis of traditional vocal music
Steven Brown,
Elizabeth Phillips,
Khalil Husein
et al.
Abstract:The standard model of musical scales is derived from instrument tunings. However, the study of vocal scales – most especially in indigenous cultures – has been all but ignored. The voice is almost certainly the original musical instrument, and so an analysis of vocal scales provides a more naturalistic means of understanding the evolution of music. In particular, we explore the idea that the structure of musical scales is a reflection of the vocal imprecision inherent in the way that people sing, regardless of… Show more
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