LucyTuning is a musical microtuning system derived from Pi and the
writings of John "Longitude" Harrison. This system
enables users to modulate and transpose using any scales
or keys that they may choose.
Beyond the scales, tunings and modes of Western music (Lydian, Ionian, Mixolydian, Dorian, Aeolian, Phrygian,
or Locrian ....), with LucyTuning, it is possible to emulate
Japanese, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian, Arabic (makam) and
any conceivable tuning system.
Logic Studio (Pro 9 and 9.1.0 and Logic Pro X) now include one LucyTuning which Apple have called "harrisonj", or "John Harrison (1775), almost 3/10-comma, third = 1200/pi".
Download 53 more LucyTunings for Logic 7, 8, Pro 9, Logic Studio and Logic Pro X (which are currently free for non-commercial use). LucyTuning tables are also available there for Cubase, Melodyne and other DAW's.
Western
harmonic structure may be used with this very specific meantone
tuning system. This enables users to progress beyond the
limitations of twelve note equal temperament (12edo), and
produce music with controlled and predetermined levels of
consonance or dissonance.
ScaleCoding now available free for Bento 4 on your Apple devices including index of
con/dissonance.
It
seems that the traditional scientific mapping of harmonics
may be a simplistic paradigm of a more profound and fundamental
underlying reality. Instead of considering audio as a static
two dimensional mapping (e.g. sine wave), there appears
to be a dynamic pattern which could consist of more dimensions,
than revealed by the standard model for the physics and mathematics of
acoustics.
Many musical academics will tell you that for all practical purposes LucyTuning
is identical to 88 equal interval per octave or 3/10 comma meantone tuning.
These detractors fail to appreciate that musical "harmonics" should beat, and that the integer frequency ratios are merely "landmarks" which contribute to that beating.
Using π (pi) as the generator for musical tunings, departs from all other microtuning systems, and resolves many of the obvious paradoxes in the traditional view of the mathematics of musical tuning.
For those who prefer their essential microtonal reading and reference in hard copy, the latest (Jan 2012) edition of Pitch, Pi, and Other Musical Paradoxes - A Practical Guide to Natural Microtonality - MusicAsEasyAsPi which was first published in 1986 is now back in print again and selling at the usual price of £220 UK Pounds, €265 Euros, or $350 US Dollars. Email to maes@lucytune.com to place your order which will be shipped from London, UK.
LucyTuned Lullabies (from around the world)
demonstrate how the music sounds by using instrumental renditions
of traditional melodies, and generates low frequency beating
which encourages relaxation and sleep in babies and other
humans of all ages. Listen
to examples and view a Flash cartoon.
This
site contains analyses of frequency (Hertz), beats per minute
(BPM), colours of the spectrum (R,G,B), and how these relate
to the speed of light in a vacuum. MIDI tuning dump specifications,
pitchbend data, guitar fretting positions and detailed
instructions for LucyTuning samples are also given.
Nobody Owns Me demo sung by Jazzcat - LucyTuned song - © - music by Charles Lucy - lyrics by S.T.Ridley
Sometimes - LucyTuned song on the 2007 Siobhan Donaghy album Ghosts
LucyTuning at myspace.com
BBC Radio 4 "Out Of Tune" program by the late Robert Sandall
Click here for mp3 of edited
version relating only to LucyTuning (3min 54 seconds)
Listen to all of Part 1 (approx 30 minutes).
Part
2 (approx. 30 minutes) - (includes Lucy Interview)
Charles Lucy interview by Donald Bousted at MicroFest 3 - Walton-on-Thames, Jan 2010.
