Ionian (diatonic major)

Ionian or diatonic major — a regular diatonic heptatonality

Harmonic visuals

2a-4-43
2a-4-39
2a-4-40
2a-4-41
2a-4-42
2a-4-44
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 43
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 39
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 40
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 41
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 42
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 44
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Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 43
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 39
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 40
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 41
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 42
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 44
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Scale and sound samples

1) Ionian — plain scale — 12 seconds
2) Ionian — embellished scale — 14 seconds
3) Ionian — short sound sample — 42 seconds
4) Ionian — extra sound sample — 4:44
5) Ionian — extended extra sound sample — 9:51

You may enjoy a sound sample or tonality loop as sound mantra for contemplation or meditation, for upliftment and focusing, or simply as soothing background sound for relaxation and regeneration.

Characteristics

  • Diatonic tonality matrix: The octave includes five whole steps and two half steps (or semitones). Either two or three consecutive whole steps, a pair and a trio, alternate in separating the two individual half steps from each other.
  • Step pattern: Ascending from the fundamental (tonic or Do), Ionian begins with the pair of whole steps, followed by a half step. Then comes the trio of whole steps, before the remaining half step leads up to the octave.
  • Scale intervals: Major second, major third, quart, quint, major sixth, and major seventh.
  • Penta- and tetrachords: The lower pentachord is MixolydIonian and the upper tetrachord is IonLydian.
  • Harmonic axes: There is one axis, SE-NW.
  • Primary harmonic anchors: The fundamental or North and the West anchor are both fully present. The contrast or South anchor is incomplete and contributes just one leg, its left one. The East anchor is completely absent.
  • Secondary harmonic anchors: Three secondary anchors are present: EN, ES, and SW. Two of them strengthen the fundamental North anchor, both with focus on the quint. All three of them give greater weight to the West anchor, and one to a lesser degree to the partially present contrast or South anchor.
  • The major seventh: Harmonically least anchored, it makes the upper tetrachord major. This is key to providing the distinct Ionian or major flavor and progressive orientation.
  • Piano keyboard reference: Ionian (diatonic major) corresponds to the white keys with C as fundamental.