Tonality of the month: ReachBal

ReachBal — sound sample, calm — 8-string guitar — October 2022 — 2:45 — as loop on a separate tab (or via right-click browser option, where available)

“Gihahatigo Bhairav” — ReachBal contemplation — expanded sound sample, calm — 8-string guitar, harmonium, tingsha cymbal pair, gong — 8:15 — as loop on a separate tab (or via right-click browser option, where available)

The tonality of the month of November 2022 is ReachBal, a Reach heptatonality, as identified in the Tonalibus catalogue. Other names used for it are double harmonic major, Gypsy major, harmonic minor over Phrygian major, and Byzantine scale. In India its name is Bhairav, used widely to express profound feelings. A key characteristic of this intriguing tonality is its overall balance and symmetry. The placement of its pitches, intervals, and axes of East and West mirror each other. The lower and upper tertachords have the same intervallic content. This results in a striking balance between very pronounced regressive and progressive characteristics, as well as major and minor elements.

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.