Beta scale

Perfect fourth (just: 498.04 cents  Play , 12-tet: 500 cents  Play , Beta scale: 512 cents  Play )

The β (beta) scale is a non-octave-repeating musical scale. In one version, it splits the perfect fifth (3/2) into eleven equal parts of 63.8 cents each. Another interpretation splits the perfect fourth into two equal parts, or eight equal parts of approximately 64 cents each  Play . This totals approximately 18.8 steps per octave. It may be derived from using 11:6  Play  to approximate the interval 3:2/5:4, which equals 6:5  Play .

It was invented by and is a signature of Wendy Carlos and used on her album Beauty in the Beast (1986).

Although neither has an octave, one advantage to the beta scale over the alpha scale is that 15 steps, 957.494 cents,  Play  is a reasonable approximation to the seventh harmonic (7:4, 968.826 cents)  Play  though both have nice triads ( Play major triad ,  minor triad , and  dominant seventh ).

The delta scale may be regarded as the beta scale's reciprocal since it is, "as far 'down' the (0 3 6 9) circle from α as β is 'up.'"

See also

• 19 equal temperament
• Bohlen–Pierce scale
• Gamma scale

External links

• Carlos, Wendy (1989–96). "Three Asymmetric Divisions of the Octave", WendyCarlos.com.