Tonality of the month: LydAeolian / HeptaNa

The tonality of the month of December 2022 is LydAeolian / HeptaNa — a clustered heptatonality and Na tonality. “Hepta” means seven and “Na” natural harmonics. The name LydAeolian indicates that its lower tetrachord is Lydian and the upper one PhrygAeolian. Its pitches are the first seven overtones or harmonics of its fundamental. Another name used for this tonality outside Tonalibus is Lydian dominant ♭6, which is related to the Neapolitan major scale.

The initial seven harmonics or overtones

Below are the initial seven distinct harmonics or overtones in the order of their appearance in the series of natural harmonics or overtones. Plus in parentheses is their actual order of appearance and repetition in the series. This demonstrates their prevalence and relative importance among the thirteen first occurrences of overtones in the harmonic series.

1) fundamental or octave — #1, #2, #4, and #8
2) quint or fifth — #3, #6, and #12
3) major third — #5, and #10
4) minor seventh — #7
5) major second — #9
6) tritone — #11
7) minor sixth — #13

Within the first thirteen overtones in the series of harmonics, the fundamental or octave occurs four times, the quint three times, the major third twice; and the minor seventh, major second, tritone, and minor sixth each appear once and in this order of decreasing prevalence.

Tonality of the month loops, as for LydAeolian / HeptaNa

The above LydAeolian / HeptaNa sound samples are also available as loop on a separate tab — or via right-click browser option, where available.

You may enjoy a sound sample or tonality loop as sound mantra for contemplation or meditation. This can help with upliftment, purification, and focusing. Or it could simply be used as soothing background sound for relaxation and regeneration. If you care to hum, chant, or sing along, you could use a spiritually charged syllable like HU or Ōṃ / Aum ॐ, or another mantra syllable that suits you.

In gratitude for nature’s gifts and harvest of harmony