Quarter-Tone Dissertation

Example 2.3b

A chromatic sequence in 19-note equal temperament

I recommend listening very closely to this one. In particular, notice the change from beat 3 to beat 4 of the first measure. The outer voices do not move, while the alto and tenor descend by slightly less than a semitone. Try to hear the German augmented sixth chord on beat three followed by the diminished seventh chord on beat four while remaining aware of the static soprano and bass. If your ears are trained in conventionaly harmony, the unfamiliar enharmonic equivalence can be disorienting.

I've set this example for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon to make it easier to hear individual the voices.

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