Re: [microsound] Re: /4's for neanderthals

[Michal Seta <mis@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In the middle ages, number 3 signified perfection, a full circle.  in musical notation it was represented by a full circle as well.  4 beats to a measure were represented by an incomplete circle (hence 'C' in the modern notation).


On Tue, 22 Oct 2002 17:19:04 -0400
Joshua Schrei <josh@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> yeah, those are just verbal expressions though... 4 seasons, 4 directions, 4
> phases of the moon, 4 weeks in  a lunar cycle... these are actual ways in
> which we quantize the world around us and divide it up. more specifically,
> these are ways in which we divide up circular phenomena... the calendar,
> (which is based on a circular cycle is divided into four seasons, the
> compass, based on 360 degrees is divided into four directions, the clock...
> We don't talk about a third of an hour or a tenth of an hour... we divide an
> hour into quarters and halves. just like we divide music into quarters and
> halves. we don't cut a pie into three pieces or ten pieces. why? because
> fours are the easiest way to divide up a circle. so if you think of a beat
> as circular instead of linear, then fours become the easiest way to divide
> it up too.

-- 
../MiS

Michal Seta		http://creazone.eworldmusic.com/doc/mis
CreaZone		http://www.creazone.com
No One Receiving	http://www.noonereceiving.32k.org

upcoming release:
NOR - "The Release of the Wandering-Eyed Girl"
	http://www.grainofsound.com