WHAT IF THERE WERE NO MUSICAL COMBINATIONS? #2

Musical structure and the Western chromatic scale

Western music is based on a precise harmonic and melodic structure, organized around a tonal system that involves the use of the chromatic scale. This system divides the octave into 12 equidistant semitones, giving rise to a finite series of combinations of notes and chords. The chromatic scale is the basis of most classical music, jazz, pop and other popular genres in the West. However, as vast as it may seem, it places precise limits on the possible combinations, making the risk of repetition and overlap inevitable.
The chromatic scale is the basis from which diatonic scales (such as major and minor) and other variations are derived. While the chromatic scale includes all the semitones available in an octave, diatonic scales reduce the choice to 7 notes for each octave, introducing the concept of tonality and tension between notes, fundamental elements in generating harmony and melodies perceived as “pleasant” to the Western ear.

The concept of the octave and the cycle of fifths

An essential principle in music theory is the octave, a distance between two notes that resonate similarly despite having different frequencies. For example, a C note played in a higher octave vibrates at twice the frequency of the same note in a lower octave. This symmetry, discovered by the Pythagoreans, is the basis of the tempered tuning system. Through a fixed ratio between frequencies, a continuous sequence is created in which each octave is divided into twelve semitones, arranged at equal intervals. This system allows for easy transitions from one tonality to another, ensuring the universality of all tonality within the Western musical system.
Another fundamental concept is the cycle of fifths, an arrangement of the 12 chromatic notes in a sequence such that each note is separated from the next by an interval of a fifth (for example, C-G-D-A-E, etc.). This cycle describes how the keys are connected and provides a better understanding of the tonal modulations and harmonic relationships that are essential to composition.

Diatonic and pentatonic scales

In addition to the chromatic scale, Western music uses various scales derived from it, each with a specific interval structure. The most common is the diatonic scale, consisting of 7 notes out of 12. This reduction is the basis of the major and minor modes, which give rise to a series of harmonic progressions commonly used in various musical genres.
The major scale is characterized by a sequence of regular intervals, perceived as cheerful or bright. The minor scale, on the other hand, has a more melancholic and dramatic quality, due to the position of the intervals. These elements are fundamental for the construction of harmony and emotional atmosphere in a piece. Pop, rock, jazz and classical music rely heavily on these scales, which have become the basis of Western musical education.
Another important scale is the pentatonic, which has 5 notes per octave, which offers a less tense sound and is widely used in folk, blues and rock music. The simplicity of this scale makes it adaptable and easy to understand, which is why it is also widely used in non-Western music.

The limitations of the color system

As versatile as the chromatic scale is, the number of musically “usable” combinations is still limited. The use of 12 notes can generate millions of theoretical combinations, but many of these are not harmonious, especially in a system like the Western one, where the rules of harmony impose precise li