Category: Tonality of the month

The tonality of the month of June 2023 is MixoBal or HexaNaMix, a hexatonality derivative of Mixolydian, HexaNaTriMix, or PentaNaMix. The prefix “Mixo” not only points to Mixolydian, it also underlines the mixture of progressive and regressive harmonic expansion. Strikingly, this appears in complete balance, building on the series of natural harmonics or overtones. This derivative tonality spreads equally in both directions out from the fundamental over a fully cohesive segment of the harmonics series. As such, MixoBal or HexaNaMix is also a prime Na(tural harmonics) tonality.

As defined in the Tonalibus glossary, derivative tonalities do not show up in detail in the Tonalibus catalogue of anchored tonalities. A common form of derivative tonalities is a slight mutation of one or more catalogued tonalities. MixoBal or HexaNaMix is equivalent to Mixolydian without second, HexaNaTriMix with the quart instead of the tritone, or PentaNaMix with the quart (fourth).

Tonality of the month: MixoBal or HexaNaMix — references

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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.

The tonality of the month of May 2023 is HexaNa — a prime Na tonality and hexatonality. Hexatonalities consist of six different pitches to the octave. One may see hexatonalities as heptatonalities with a missing pitch. This makes hexatonalities more or less ambiguous and positions them in between two or more other tonalities. Thus, they can facilitate modulations. HexaNa is equivalent to HeptaNa/LydAeolian or LydDorian/ClusterPro without a sixth, or to PentaNa/PentaPro with the tritone. Prime Na(tural harmonics) tonalities contain a more or less consecutive segment of the series of natural harmonics or overtones.

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.

The tonality of the month of April 2023 is IonAeolian or ClusterBal, a clustered or melodic heptatonality. The name IonAeolian indicates that the lower tetrachord is MixolydIonian and the upper PhrygAeolian. Its second name, ClusterBal, points to the overall balance in this fully anchored clustered tonality. Further names in use for it beyond Tonalibus are melodic major, Aeolian dominant, and minor over major (Min/Ma). A striking quality of this tonality is its overall balance and inherent symmetry. This is evident in the placement of its pitches, its intervals, and its two angeled axes. Its East and West halves mirror each other exactly. This results in a remarkable balance between regressive and progressive, major and minor flavors.

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.

The tonality of the month of March 2023 is ReachMix, a fully anchored Reach or harmonic tonality. Its name indicates that there is a regular Reach step or augmented second framed by half tone steps in the lower tetrachord. And the upper one is DorMixolydian, as in Dorian and Mixolydian. Basically, this tonaliy is Mixolydian with a minor instead of a major second, which gives it a slight Phrygian touch that can contrast beautifully with its otherwise predominant Mixolydian character.

Tuning for this ReachMix sample, the tonality of the month

Instead of standard A 440 Hz tuning, Tonalibus is usually tuning relative to A 438.2 Hz or C# 138 Hz. This is based on personal calculations and deductions made by Ulrico in his youth. However, the above ReachMix sound sample is relative to A 432 Hz or C# 136.1 Hz. Some associate the latter with the Earth or the heart chakra. Others call it the Om frequency. There are claims that this frequency was used throughout the ages, without evidence. Apparently musicologist Alexander John Ellis measured and documented ancient pipe organs and tuning forks. He found only one reference to 432 Hz (Verdi). Before standardization, the pitch A fluctuated heavily between 400 and 460 Hz.

Sound as mantra — a worthwhile notion

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.

The tonality of the month of February 2023 is LocorNa / LocorMin. It is the first Locor / Cor Reach heptatonality to show up completely in the Tonalibus catalogue of anchored tonalities. Its companions LocorReach, CorMix, and CorMaj / LoloReachLyd are still in the process of receiving more documentation and are present so far only with their visual references. These tonalities are unique in that they are minor and major at once. Plus they contain the tritone. This can pose some challenge to apply them harmoniously to Western ears. But as the sound sample above shows, it appears possible. You be the judge as to what extent…

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.