Reach (or Harmonic) Heptatonalities

Reach heptatonalities

Here you find what Tonalibus calls anchored Reach heptatonalities, otherwise also known in some cases as harmonic or in one case as a dominant scale. They all include one or two so-called Reach steps or augmented seconds that span three half steps. Their names, as chosen by Tonalibus, reflect their pitch distribution and the position of the Reach interval or intervals. Some of their other names in use show up as well.

Fully anchored

Fully anchored subgroup LoloReach

Partially anchored

Partially anchored subgroup LoReachUp

Partially anchored subgroup ReachNa

Partially anchored subgroup ReachUp

Partially anchored Reach subgroup Locor / Cor

Partially anchored subgroup NaReach

Reach heptatonalities overview visuals

In the tables below you see an overview of the fully and partially anchored Reach tonalities that are included in the catalogue. There are two cyclic pattern progressions. The single Reach, or single harmonic, pattern includes one Reach step surrounded by half steps, one before and two successively after the Reach step. Then three consecutive whole steps close the circle. The double Reach, or double harmonic, matrix includes two Reach steps per octave, framed by two half tones on both sides, on one side successively, on the other with a whole step interspersed between the two half steps. Of both these pattern cycles only a few tonalities each made it into the catalogue. Some of them are varieties of what’s sometimes called Gypsy scales, and others Neapolitan minor scales.

Tonalibus 1e-3 tonalities – 2023-02 – 61

Tonalibus 1e-3 tonalities – 2023-02 – 62

Tonalibus 1e-3 tonalities – 2021-08 – 58zz

Tonalibus 1e-3 tonalities – 2021-08 – 59y

Tonalibus 1e-3 tonalities – 2023-02 – 56

Tonalibus 1e-3 tonalities – 2023-02 – 57

On the page Tonalities, you find a list of all anchored tonalities included in the catalogue, along with a side-by-side juxtaposition of their scale patterns, as well as a general overview of fundamental pitch distribution patterns.

Common characteristics of Reach heptatonalities

Reach or harmonic tonality matrix: The octave includes one or exceptionally two (double harmonic) Reach steps (augmented seconds) framed by half steps (or semitones) or exceptionally by a whole and a half step. There are either three whole steps or exceptionally just one. If three of them, they are in most cases either a pair and a single one separated by the third half step, or a trio framed by half steps. Exceptionally though all three whole steps are singles. When a trio of consecutive whole steps, they are preceded or followed by two consecutive half steps. The total number of half steps is three, or exceptionally four with two (double harmonic) Reach steps.