How Do You Spell HARMONIC SEVENTH?

Pronunciation: [hɑːmˈɒnɪk sˈɛvənθ] (IPA)

The term "harmonic seventh" refers to a musical interval that is created by multiplying the frequency of a note by seven. The spelling of this word is "hɑːˈmɒnɪk ˈsɛvənθ". The first syllable is pronounced "hah," with an open back vowel (represented by ɑː), and the second syllable rhymes with "sonic." The final syllable, "seventh," is spelled with a theta symbol (represented by θ) to indicate the /θ/ sound, which is different from the /t/ sound in the word "seventy." Knowing the IPA phonetic transcription can help pronounce this word accurately.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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HARMONIC SEVENTH Meaning and Definition

  1. The term "harmonic seventh" refers to a musical interval created when two sounds of different frequencies blend together in a specific way. It is specifically defined as the interval between two pitches where the higher pitch has a frequency that is seven times the frequency of the lower pitch. In terms of the musical scale, the harmonic seventh is a larger and less frequently used interval compared to the more common intervals such as the octave, fifth, or fourth.

    The harmonic seventh has a distinctive sound that is characterized by its dissonance and unique color. It is commonly heard in various forms of music, including classical, jazz, and traditional folk music. The dissonance created by the harmonic seventh can add tension and depth to musical compositions, often used to create a dramatic effect or evoke specific emotions.

    In tempered tuning systems, the ratio of frequencies between the lower and higher pitches of the harmonic seventh interval does not precisely match the natural harmonic series. This temperament allows for greater flexibility in tuning and enables the interval to be used seamlessly within different musical contexts and across various keys.

    Overall, the harmonic seventh is a musical interval that represents the relationship between two pitches with a frequency ratio of 7:1. Its distinct dissonance and unique color contribute to the rich harmonic palette available to composers and musicians.

Etymology of HARMONIC SEVENTH

The word "harmonic seventh" comes from the combination of two different terms: "harmonic" and "seventh".

The term "harmonic" refers to the concept of harmonics in music. Harmonics are the overtones or additional pitches that are produced along with the fundamental pitch when a string or air column vibrates. These harmonics create a series of whole number multiples of the fundamental frequency.

The term "seventh" refers to the interval that spans seven diatonic scale degrees. In the context of music, a seventh is the distance between two pitches that are seven letter names apart.

Therefore, when combined, the term "harmonic seventh" describes an interval that is produced by the series of harmonics, specifically the overtone that is seven times the frequency of the fundamental pitch.