Simple Instructions for Pythagorean Tuning

How is the scale constructed?

• You use the Pythagorean tuning 3/2 frequency ratio to create a series of perfectly tuned fifths.
• To make things easier, instead of ratios, we’ll be using cents – with a perfect fifth of 702 cents. (See the glossary for a definition of cents.)
• Then, you’ll collect all those fifths into one twelve note scale.

To play the Pythagorean scale, you must have a microtonal keyboard:

• If you own a keyboard with global tuning, adjust your keys to the cent values from the above keyboard chart.
• They’ve been rounded to the closest cent, allowing synths with a 100 cent tuning range per keyboard key to play the Pythagorean scale.
• The keyboard chart centers around the C key instead of the F key.

Greek music wasn’t based on harmony, but rather on heterophony. Stobla asserts:

[Greek] instrumental accompaniment to a song was the duplication of the melodic line with occasional heterophony but without counterpoint or chordal accompaniment of the melody. (The Development of Western Music 10)

In other words, Heterophony is when two melodic lines are almost the same, but performers ornament them differently, creating slightly different melodies that they play together:

• This means that the Pythagorean scale is ideal for the Kithara’s melodic tuning but was never intended to be used harmonically.
• Some microtonal composers treat the Pythagorean scale like it’s an early form of just intonation. However, Greek music wasn’t created for playing just intonation chords.
• Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean it can’t be played harmonically.
• Unfortunately, the harsh Pythagorean major thirds don’t lend themselves to triads.
• So, you’ll need to build your harmonies based on fourths and fifths (like medieval counterpoint) rather than thirds and sixths.