Quarter Tone - Ancient Greek Tetrachords

Ancient Greek Tetrachords

The enharmonic genus of the Greek tetrachord consisted of a ditone or an approximate major third and a semitone which was divided into two microtones. Aristoxenos, Didymos and others presented the semitone as being divided into two approximate quarter tone intervals of about the same size, while other ancient Greek theorists described the microtones resulting from dividing the semitone of the enharmonic genus as unequal in size (i.e., one smaller than a quarter tone and one larger) .

Read more about this topic:  Quarter Tone

Famous quotes containing the words ancient and/or greek:

    There is an ancient saying among men that you cannot thoroughly understand the life of mortals before the man has died, then only can you call it good or bad.
    Sophocles (497–406/5 B.C.)

    Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
    With conquering limbs astride from land to land,
    Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
    A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
    Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
    Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
    Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
    The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
    Emma Lazarus (1849–1887)