A study of musical scales by Ian Ring

Where we discuss every possible combination of notes

Assumptions
This exploration of scales is based in a musical universe founded on two
assumptions:

Octave Equivalence
We assume that for the purpose of defining a scale, a pitch is functionally
equivalent to another pitch separated by an octave. So it follows that if you're
playing a scale in one octave, if you continue the pattern into the next octave
you will play pitches with the same name.

12 tone equal temperament

We're using the 12 tones of an equally-tempered tuning system, as you'd find
on a piano. Equal temperament asserts that the perceptual (or functional)
relationship between two pitches is the same as the relationship between two
other pitches with the same chromatic interval distance. Other tuning systems
have the notion of scales, but they're not being considered in this study.

Representing a scale
When I began piano lessons as a child, I learned that a scale was made up of whole-
and half-steps. The scale was essentially a stack of intervals piled up, that happened
to add up to an octave. While this view of the scale is useful for understanding
diatonic melodies, it's not a convenient paradigm for analysis. Instead, we should
regard a scale as being a set of 12 possibilities, and each one is either on or off.

Here is the major scale, in lights.

What we have in the 12-tone system is a binary "word" made of 12 bits. We can assign
one bit to each degree of the chromatic scale, and use the power of binary arithmetic
and logic to do some pretty awesome analysis with them. When represented as bits it
reads from right to left - the lowest bit is the root, and each bit going from right to left
ascends by one semitone.

The total number of possible combinations of on and off bits is called the "power set".
The number of sets in a power set of size n is (2^n). Using a word of 12 bits, the
power set (2^12) is equal to 4096. The fun thing about binary power sets is that we
can produce every possible combination, by merely invoking the integers from 0 (no
tones) to 4095 (all 12 tones).

This means that every possible combination of tones in the 12-tone set can be
represented by a number between 0 and 4095. We don't need to remember the fancy
names like "phrygian", we can just call it scale number 1451. Convenient!

decimal binary
0 000000000000 no notes in the scale
1 000000000001 just the root tone
1365 010101010101 whole tone scale
2741 101010110101 major scale
4095 111111111111 chromatic scale

An important concept here is that any set of tones can be represented by a number.
This number is not "ordinal" - it's not merely describing the position of the set in an
indexed scheme; it's also not "cardinal" because it's not describing an amount of
something. This is a nominal number because the number *is* the scale. You can do
binary arithmetic with it, and you are adding and subtracting scales with no need to
convert the scale into some other representation.

Because scales are cyclical - they repeat and continue beyond a single octave - it is
intuitive to represent them in "bracelet" notation. This visual representation is useful
because it helps conceptualize modes and rotation (which we'll get into further
below).

Here is the major scale, represented as a bracelet. Black beads are on bits, white
beads are off bits.
If you imagine the bracelet with clock numbers, the topmost bead - at 12 o'clock - is
the root, or 1st degree of the scale. Beware that in some of the math, this is the "0"
position, as if we're counting semitones above the root. To play a scale ascending,
start from the top and move around it clockwise. To play the scale descending, start
at 12 o'clock and go around counterclockwise.

Interval Pattern
Another popular way of representing a scale is by its interval pattern. When I was
learning the major scale, I was taught to say aloud: "tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone,
tone, semitone". Many music theorists like to represent a scale this way because it's
accurate and easy to understand: "TTSTTTS". Having a scale's interval pattern has
merit as an intermediary step can make some kinds of analysis simpler. Expressed
numerically - which is more convenient for computation - the major scale is
[2,2,1,2,2,2,1].

Pitch Class Sets

Yet another way to represent a scale is as a "pitch class set", where the tones are
assigned numbers 0 to 11 (sometimes using "T" and "E" for 10 and 11), and the set
enumerates the ones present in the scale. A pitch class set for the major scale is
notated like this: {0,2,4,5,7,9,11}. The "scales" we'll study here are a subset of Pitch
Classes (ie those that have a root, and obey Zeitler's Rules1) and we can use many of
the same mathematical tricks to manipulate them.

What is a scale?
Or more importantly, what is *not* a scale?

Now that we have the superset of all possible sets of tones, we can whittle it down to
exclude ones that we don't consider to be a legitimate "scale". We can do this with
just two rules.

A scale starts on the root tone.

This means any set of notes that doesn't have that first bit turned on is not
eligible to be called a scale. This cuts our power set in exactly half, leaving 2048
sets.

In binary, it's easy to see that the first bit is on or off. In decimal, you can easily
tell this by whether the number is odd or even. All even numbers have the first
bit off; therefore all scales are represented by an odd number.

We could have cut some corners in our discussion of scales by omitting the root
tone (always assumed to be on) to work with 11 bits instead of 12, but there are
compelling reasons for keeping the 12-bit number for our scales, such as
simplifying the analysis of symmetry, simplifying the calculation of modes, and
performing analysis of sonorities that do not include the root, where an even
number is appropriate.

scales remaining: 2048

 A scale does not have any leaps greater than n semitones.

For the purposes of this exercise we are saying n = 4, a.k.a. a major third. Any
collection of tones that has an interval greater than a major third is not
considered a "scale". This configuration is consistent with Zeitler's constant
used to generate his comprehensive list of scales.

scales remaining: 1490

Now that we've whittled our set of tones to only the ones we'd call a "scale", let's
count how many there are with each number of tones.

number of tones how many scales

1 0
2 0
3 1
4 31
5 155
6 336
7 413
8 322
9 165
10 55
11 11
12 1

Scales
600
Number of scales

400

200

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Number of tones

Tones Scales
1 0
2 0
3 1
 Tones Scales
4 31
5 155
6 336
7 413
8 322
9 165
10 55
11 11
12 1

Modes
There is a lot of confusion about what is a "mode", chiefly because the word is used
slightly differently in various contexts.

When we say "C major", the word "major" refers to a specific pattern of whole- and
half-steps. The "C" tells us to begin that pattern on the root tone of "C".

Modes are created when you use the same patterns of whole- and half-steps, but you
begin on a different step. For instance, the "D Dorian" mode uses all the same notes
as C major (the white keys on a piano), but it begins with D. Compared with the
Major (also known as "Ionian" mode), the Dorian sounds different, because relative
to the root note D, it has a minor third and a minor seventh.

The best way to understand modes is to think of a toy piano where the black keys are
just painted on - all you have are the white keys: C D E F G A B. Can you play a song
that sounds like it's in a minor key? You can't play a song in C minor, because that
would require three flats. So instead you play the song with A as the root (A B C D E
F G). That scale is a mode of the major scale, called the Aeolian Mode.

When you play that minor scale, you're not playing "C minor", you're playing the
relative minor of C, which is "A minor". Modes are relatives of each other if they have
the same pattern of steps, starting on different steps.

To compute a mode of the current scale, we "rotate" all the notes down one semitone.
Then if the rotated notes have an on bit in the root, then it is a mode of the original
scale. It's as if you take the bracelet diagram that we've been using throughout this
study, and twist it like a dial so that a different note is at the top, in the root position.
101010110101 = 2741 - major scale, "ionian" mode
110101011010 = 3418 - rotated down 1 semitone - not a scale
011010101101 = 1709 - rotated down 2 semitones - "dorian"
101101010110 = 2902 - rotated down 3 semitones - not a scale
010110101011 = 1451 - rotated down 4 semitones - "phrygian"
101011010101 = 2773 - rotated down 5 semitones - "lydian"
110101101010 = 3434 - rotated down 6 semitones - not a scale
 011010110101 = 1717 - rotated down 7 semitones - "mixolydian"
101101011010 = 2906 - rotated down 8 semitones - not a scale
010110101101 = 1453 - rotated down 9 semitones - "aeolian"
101011010110 = 2774 - rotated down 10 semitones - not a scale
010101101011 = 1387 - rotated down 11 semitones - "locrian"

When we do this to every scale, we see modal relationships between scales, and we
also discover symmetries when a scale is a mode of itself on another degree.

Prime Form
Often when discussing the properties of a scale, those properties (like interval
distribution or evenness) are the same for all related scales, ie a scale, all its the
modes, its inverse, and the modes of its inverse. In order to simplify things, it is
useful to declare that one of those is the "prime form", so when doing analysis we
discard all of them except one.

It's important to emphasize - because this point is sometimes missed - that the
interval distribution in a scale is the same for all the scale's modes produced by
rotation, but also for the scale's inverse produced by reflection. The prime form of a
scale is chosen to represent the entire group of scales with equivalent interval
patterns. In this study, prime scales are marked with a star .

In discussing Prime Form of a scale, we are undeniably treading into the topic of
Pitch Class Sets, a more generalized study involving every possible combination of
tones, regardless of the rules that make it a scale.

Forte vs Rahn
There are two dominant strategies for declaring the Prime Form of a set of tones; one
was defined by Allen Forte2, and another similar one (with only subtle differences)
described later by John Rahn3. While I have deep admiration for Forte's theoretical
work, I prefer the Rahn prime formula, for the simple reason that the Rahn primes
are the easier to calculate.

The calculation of the Prime Form according to Forte requires some inelegant
cyclomatic complexity. Rahn's algorithm is slightly easier to do manually, and is
simply the one with the lowest value when expressed in bits, as we have done in this
study. This connection between Rahn's prime forms and the bit representation of a
scale was proven in 2017 by brute force calculation of every possible scale and prime
form according to all three algorithms.

In a necessarily succinct overview of this topic, I'll demonstrate the differences

between Forte's algorithm and Rahn's. The prime form for pitch class sets is identical
except for 6 sets. Both algorithms look at the distance between the first and last tones
of the set, preferring the one with the smaller interval. In the case of a tie, this is
where Forte and Rahn differ: Forte begins at the start of the set working toward the
end, whereas Rahn starts at the end working toward the beginning.

Here are the six sets where Forte and Rahn disagree on which one is prime.

Forte Rahn
 395 355

{0,1,3,7,8} {0,1,5,6,8}

811 691

{0,1,3,5,8,9} {0,1,4,5,7,9}

843 717

{0,1,3,6,8,9} {0,2,3,6,7,9}

919 743

{0,1,2,4,7,8,9} {0,1,2,5,6,7,9}

815 755

{0,1,2,3,5,8,9} {0,1,4,5,6,7,9}

1719 1467

{0,1,2,4,5,7,9,10} {0,1,3,4,5,7,8,10}

A complete list of all modal families

 Scales
60

Number of modal
40
families
20

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Number of tones

Tones Scales
1 0
2 0
3 1
4 9
5 31
6 59
7 59
8 42
9 19
10 6
11 1
12 1

Modal families with 3 tones

Forte Class Name Prime and its rotations Inverse and its rotations
3-12 273 Augmented Triad

Modal families with 4 tones

Forte Class Prime and its rotations Inverse and its

Name rotations
4-19 275 Dalic 281 Lanic
305 Gonic 401 Epogic
785 Aeoloric 547 Pyrric
2185 Dygic 2321 Zyphic
 4-20 291 Raga Lavangi
393 Lothic
561 Phratic
2193 Major Seventh
4-24 277 Mixolyric
337 Koptic
1093 Lydic
1297 Aeolic
4-27 293 Raga Haripriya 329 Mynic 2
593 Saric 553 Rothic 2
649 Byptic 581 Eporic 2
1097 Aeraphic 1169 Raga Mahathi
4-26 297 Mynic
549 Raga Bhavani
657 Epathic
1161 Bi Yu
4-25 325 Messiaen Truncated Mode 6
1105 Messiaen Truncated Mode 6
Inverse
4-28 585 Diminished Seventh

Modal families with 5 tones

Forte Class Prime and its rotations Inverse and its

Name rotations
5-13 279 Poditonic 285 Zaritonic
369 Laditonic 465 Zoditonic
1809 Ranitonic 1095 Phrythitonic
2187 Ionothitonic 2595 Rolitonic
3141 Kanitonic 3345 Zylitonic
5-Z38 295 Gyritonic 457 Staptitonic
625 Ionyptitonic 569 Mothitonic
905 Bylitonic 583 Aeritonic
2195 Zalitonic 2339 Raga Kshanika
3145 Stolitonic 3217 Molitonic
5-Z37 313 Goritonic
551 Aeoloditonic
913 Aeolyritonic
2323 Doptitonic
3209 Aeraphitonic
5-15 327 Syptitonic
453 Raditonic
1137 Stonitonic
2211 Raga Gauri
3153 Zathitonic
5-Z17 283 Aerylitonic
433 Raga Zilaf
1571 Lagitonic
2189 Zagitonic
2833 Dolitonic
5-27 299 Raga Chitthakarshini 425 Raga Kokil Pancham
689 Raga Nagasvaravali 565 Aeolyphritonic
1417 Raga Shailaja 1165 Gycritonic
1573 Raga Guhamanohari 1315 Pyritonic
2197 Raga Hamsadhvani 2705 Raga Mamata
5-26 309 Palitonic 345 Gylitonic
849 Aerynitonic 555 Aeolycritonic
1101 Stothitonic 1425 Ryphitonic
1299 Aerophitonic 1605 Zanitonic
2697 Katagitonic 2325 Pynitonic
5-29 331 Raga Chhaya Todi 421 Han-kumoi
709 Raga Shri Kalyan 653 Dorian Pentatonic
1201 Mixolydian Pentatonic 1129 Raga Jayakauns
1577 Raga Chandrakauns 1187 Kokin-joshi
(Kafi) 2641 Raga Hindol
2213 Raga Desh
5-31 587 Pathitonic 589 Ionalitonic
601 Bycritonic 617 Katycritonic
713 Thoptitonic 841 Phrothitonic
1609 Thyritonic 1171 Raga Manaranjani I
2341 Raga Priyadharshini 2633 Bartók Beta Chord
5-25 301 Raga Audav Tukhari 361 Bocritonic
721 Raga Dhavalashri 557 Raga Abhogi
1099 Dyritonic 1163 Raga Rukmangi
1673 Thocritonic 1681 Raga Valaji
2597 Raga Rasranjani 2629 Raga Shubravarni
5-20 355 Aeoloritonic 397 Aeolian Pentatonic
395 Phrygian Pentatonic 419 Hon-kumoi-joshi
1585 Raga Khamaji Durga 1123 Iwato
2225 Ionian Pentatonic 2257 Lydian Pentatonic
2245 Raga Vaijayanti 2609 Raga Bhinna Shadja
5-28 333 Bogitonic 357 Banitonic
837 Epaditonic 651 Golitonic
1107 Mogitonic 1113 Locrian Pentatonic 2
1233 Ionoditonic 1617 Phronitonic
2601 Raga Chandrakauns 2373 Dyptitonic
5-21 307 Raga Megharanjani 409 Laritonic
787 Aeolapritonic 563 Thacritonic
817 Zothitonic 803 Loritonic
2201 Ionagitonic 2329 Styditonic
2441 Kyritonic 2449 Zacritonic
 5-30 339 Zaptitonic 405 Raga Bhupeshwari
789 Zogitonic 675 Altered Pentatonic
1221 Epyritonic 1125 Ionaritonic
1329 Epygitonic 1305 Dynitonic
2217 Kagitonic 2385 Aeolanitonic
5-32 595 Sogitonic 613 Phralitonic
665 Raga Mohanangi 659 Raga Rasika Ranjani
805 Rothitonic 809 Dogitonic
1225 Raga Samudhra Priya 1177 Garitonic
2345 Raga Chandrakauns 2377 Bartók Gamma
Chord
5-22 403 Raga Reva
611 Anchihoye
793 Mocritonic
2249 Raga Multani
2353 Raga Girija
5-33 341 Bothitonic
1109 Kataditonic
1301 Koditonic
1349 Tholitonic
1361 Bolitonic
5-34 597 Kung
681 Kyemyonjo
1173 Dominant Pentatonic
1317 Chaio
1353 Raga Harikauns
5-35 661 Major Pentatonic
677 Scottish Pentatonic
1189 Suspended Pentatonic
1193 Minor Pentatonic
1321 Blues Minor

Modal families with 6 tones

Forte Class Prime and its rotations Inverse and its rotations
Name
6-Z37 287 Gynimic
497 Kadimic
2191 Thydimic
3143 Polimic
3619 Thanimic
3857 Ponimic
6-Z40 303 Golimic 489 Phrathimic
753 Aeronimic 573 Saptimic
1929 Aeolycrimic 1167 Aerodimic
2199 Dyptimic 2631 Macrimic
 3147 Ryrimic 3363 Rogimic
3621 Gylimic 3729 Starimic
6-Z39 317 Korimic 377 Kathimic
977 Kocrimic 559 Lylimic
1103 Lynimic 1937 Galimic
2599 Malimic 2327 Epalimic
3347 Synimic 3211 Epacrimic
3721 Phragimic 3653 Sathimic
6-Z41 335 Zanimic 485 Stoptimic
965 Ionothimic 655 Kataptimic
1265 Pynimic 1145 Zygimic
2215 Ranimic 2375 Aeolaptimic
3155 Ladimic 3235 Pothimic
3625 Podimic 3665 Stalimic
6-Z42 591 Gaptimic
633 Kydimic
969 Ionogimic
2343 Tharimic
3219 Ionaphimic
3657 Epynimic
6-Z38 399 Zynimic
483 Kygimic
2247 Raga Vijayasri
2289 Mocrimic
3171 Zythimic
3633 Daptimic
6-15 311 Stagimic 473 Aeralimic
881 Aerothimic 571 Kynimic
1811 Kyptimic 1607 Epytimic
2203 Dorimic 2333 Stynimic
2953 Ionylimic 2851 Katoptimic
3149 Phrycrimic 3473 Lathimic
6-14 315 Stodimic 441 Thycrimic
945 Raga Saravati 567 Aeoladimic
1575 Zycrimic 1827 Katygimic
2205 Ionocrimic 2331 Dylimic
2835 Ionygimic 2961 Bygimic
3465 Katathimic 3213 Eponimic
6-22 343 Ionorimic 469 Katyrimic
1393 Mycrimic 1141 Rynimic
1477 Raga Jaganmohanam 1309 Pogimic
1813 Katothimic 1351 Aeraptimic
2219 Phrydimic 2723 Raga Jivantika
3157 Zyptimic 3409 Katanimic
6-Z46 599 Thyrimic 629 Aeronimic
697 Lagimic 937 Stothimic
1481 Zagimic 1181 Katagimic
 1829 Pathimic 1319 Phronimic
2347 Raga Viyogavarali 2707 Banimic
3221 Bycrimic 3401 Palimic
6-21 349 Borimic 373 Epagimic
1111 Sycrimic 1117 Raptimic
1489 Raga Jyoti 1303 Epolimic
1861 Phrygimic 1873 Dathimic
2603 Gadimic 2699 Sythimic
3349 Aeolocrimic 3397 Sydimic
6-Z17 407 All-Trichord Hexachord 467 Raga Dhavalangam
739 Rorimic 797 Katocrimic
1817 Phrythimic 1223 Phryptimic
2251 Zodimic 2281 Rathimic
2417 Kanimic 2659 Katynimic
3173 Zarimic 3377 Phralimic
6-Z47 663 Phrynimic 669 Gycrimic
741 Gathimic 933 Dadimic
1209 Raga Bhanumanjari 1191 Pyrimic
1833 Ionacrimic 1257 Blues Scale
2379 Raga Gurjari Todi 2643 Raga Hamsanandi
3237 Raga Brindabani Sarang 3369 Mixolimic
6-Z45 605 Dycrimic
745 Kolimic
1175 Epycrimic
1865 Thagimic
2635 Gocrimic
3365 Katolimic
6-16 371 Rythimic 413 Ganimic
791 Aeoloptimic 931 Raga Kalakanthi
1841 Thogimic 1127 Eparimic
2233 Donimic 2513 Aerycrimic
2443 Panimic 2611 Raga Vasanta
3269 Raga Malarani 3353 Phraptimic
6-Z43 359 Bothimic 461 Raga Syamalam
907 Tholimic 839 Ionathimic
1649 Bolimic 1139 Aerygimic
2227 Raga Gaula 2467 Raga Padi
2501 Ralimic 2617 Pylimic
3161 Kodimic 3281 Raga Vijayavasanta
6-Z44 615 Schoenberg Hexachord 627 Mogimic
825 Thyptimic 807 Raga Suddha Mukhari
915 Raga Kalagada 921 Bogimic
2355 Raga Lalita 2361 Docrimic
2505 Mydimic 2451 Raga Bauli
3225 Ionalimic 3273 Raga Jivantini
6-18 423 Sogimic 459 Zaptimic
909 Katarimic 711 Raga Chandrajyoti
1251 Sylimic 1593 Zogimic
2259 Raga Mandari 2277 Kagimic
2673 Mythimic 2403 Lycrimic
3177 Rothimic 3249 Raga Tilang
6-Z48 679 Lanimic
917 Dygimic
1253 Zolimic
1337 Epogimic
2387 Paptimic
3241 Dalimic
6-7 455 Messiaen Mode 5
2275 Messiaen Mode 5
3185 Messiaen Mode 5 Inverse
6-Z24 347 Barimic 437 Ronimic
1457 Raga Kamalamanohari 1133 Stycrimic
1579 Sagimic 1307 Katorimic
1733 Raga Sarasvati 1699 Raga Rasavali
2221 Raga Sindhura Kafi 2701 Hawaiian
2837 Aelothimic 2897 Rycrimic
6-27 603 Aeolygimic 621 Pyramid Hexatonic
729 Stygimic 873 Bagimic
1611 Dacrimic 1179 Sonimic
1737 Raga Madhukauns 1683 Raga Malayamarutam
2349 Raga Ghantana 2637 Raga Ranjani
2853 Baptimic 2889 Thoptimic
6-Z23 365 Marimic
1115 Superlocrian Hexamirror
1675 Raga Salagavarali
1745 Raga Vutari
2605 Rylimic
2885 Byrimic
6-Z19 411 Lygimic 435 Raga Purna Pancama
867 Phrocrimic 795 Aeologimic
1587 Raga Rudra Pancama 1635 Sygimic
2253 Raga Amarasenapriya 2265 Raga Rasamanjari
2481 Raga Paraju 2445 Zadimic
2841 Sothimic 2865 Solimic
6-Z49 667 Rodimic
869 Kothimic
1241 Pygimic
1619 Prometheus Neapolitan
2381 Takemitsu Linea Mode 1
2857 Stythimic
6-Z25 363 Soptimic 429 Koptimic
1419 Raga Kashyapi 1131 Honchoshi Plagal
1581 Raga Bagesri Form
1713 Raga Khamas 1443 Raga Phenadyuti
2229 Raga Nalinakanti 1677 Raga Manavi
2757 Raga Nishadi 2613 Raga Hamsa Vinodini
2769 Dyrimic
6-Z28 619 Double-Phrygian
Hexatonic
857 Aeolydimic
1427 Lolimic
1613 Thylimic
2357 Raga Sarasanana
2761 Dagimic
6-Z26 427 Raga Suddha Simantini
1379 Kycrimic
1421 Raga Trimurti
1589 Raga Rageshri
2261 Raga Caturangini
2737 Raga Hari Nata
6-34 683 Stogimic 853 Epothimic
1369 Boptimic 1237 Salimic
1381 Padimic 1333 Lyptimic
1429 Bythimic 1357 Takemitsu Linea Mode
1621 Scriabin's Prometheus 2
2389 Eskimo Hexatonic 2 1363 Gygimic
2729 Aeragimic
6-33 685 Raga Suddha Bangala 725 Raga Yamuna Kalyani
1195 Raga Gandharavam 1205 Raga Siva Kambhoji
1385 Phracrimic 1325 Phradimic
1445 Raga Navamanohari 1355 Raga Bhavani
1685 Zeracrimic 1705 Raga Manohari
2645 Raga Mruganandana 2725 Raga Nagagandhari
6-31 691 Raga Kalavati 821 Aeranimic
811 Radimic 851 Raga Hejjajji
1433 Dynimic 1229 Raga Simharava
1637 Syptimic 1331 Raga Vasantabhairavi
2393 Zathimic 2473 Raga Takka
2453 Raga Latika 2713 Porimic
6-32 693 Arezzo Major Diatonic
Hexachord
1197 Minor Hexatonic
1323 Ritsu
1449 Raga Gopikavasantam
1701 Dominant Seventh
2709 Raga Kumud
 6-30 715 Messiaen Truncated Mode 845 Raga Neelangi
2 1235 Messiaen Truncated
1625 Lythimic Mode 2
2405 Katalimic 2665 Aeradimic
6-Z50 723 Ionadimic
813 Larimic
1227 Thacrimic
1689 Lorimic
2409 Zacrimic
2661 Stydimic
6-Z29 717 Raga Vijayanagari
843 Molimic
1203 Pagimic
1641 Bocrimic
2469 Raga Bhinna Pancama
2649 Aeolythimic
6-20 819 Augmented Inverse
2457 Augmented
6-35 1365 Whole Tone

Modal families with 7 tones

Forte Class Prime and its rotations Inverse and its rotations
Name
7-3 319 Epodian 505 Sanian
1009 Katyptian 575 Ionydian
2207 Mygian 2335 Epydian
3151 Pacrian 3215 Katydian
3623 Aerocrian 3655 Mathian
3859 Aeolarian 3875 Aeryptian
3977 Kythian 3985 Thadian
7-9 351 Epanian 501 Katylian
1521 Stanian 1149 Bydian
1989 Dydian 1311 Bynian
2223 Konian 2703 Galian
3159 Stocrian 3399 Zonian
3627 Kalian 3747 Myrian
3861 Phroptian 3921 Pythian
7-10 607 Kadian 637 Debussy's Heptatonic
761 Ponian 1001 Badian
1993 Katoptian 1183 Sadian
2351 Gynian 2639 Dothian
3223 Thyphian 3367 Moptian
3659 Polian 3731 Aeryrian
3877 Thanian 3913 Bonian
7-8 381 Kogian
1119 Rarian
2001 Gydian
2607 Aerolian
3351 Crater Scale
3723 Myptian
3909 Rydian
7-6 415 Aeoladian 499 Ionaptian
995 Phrathian 799 Lolian
2255 Dylian 2297 Thylian
2545 Thycrian 2447 Thagian
3175 Eponian 3271 Mela Raghupriya
3635 Katygian 3683 Dycrian
3865 Starian 3889 Parian
7-Z12 671 Stycrian
997 Rycrian
1273 Ronian
2383 Katorian
3239 Mela Tanarupi
3667 Kaptian
3881 Morian
7-Z36 367 Aerodian 493 Rygian
1777 Saptian 1147 Epynian
1931 Stogian 1679 Kydian
2231 Macrian 2621 Ionogian
3013 Thynian 2887 Gaptian
3163 Rogian 3491 Tharian
3629 Boptian 3793 Aeopian
7-16 623 Sycrian 635 Epolian
889 Borian 985 Mela Sucaritra
1939 Dathian 1615 Sydian
2359 Gadian 2365 Sythian
3017 Gacrian 2855 Epocrain
3227 Aeolocrian 3475 Kylian
3661 Mixodorian 3785 Epagian
7-11 379 Aeragian 445 Gocrian
1583 Salian 1135 Katolian
1969 Stylian 1955 Sonian
2237 Epothian 2615 Thoptian
2839 Lyptian 3025 Epycrian
3467 Katonian 3355 Bagian
3781 Gyphian 3725 Kyrian
7-14 431 Epyrian 491 Aeolyrian
1507 Zynian 1423 Doptian
1933 Mocrian 1597 Aeolodian
2263 Lycrian 2293 Gorian
2801 Zogian 2759 Mela Pavani
3179 Daptian 3427 Zacrian
 3637 Raga Rageshri 3761 Raga Madhuri
7-24 687 Aeolythian 981 Mela Kantamani
1401 Pagian 1269 Katythian
1509 Ragian 1341 Madian
1941 Aeranian 1359 Aerygian
2391 Molian 2727 Mela Manavati
3243 Mela Rupavati 3411 Enigmatic
3669 Mothian 3753 Phraptian
7-23 701 Mixonyphian 757 Ionyptian
1199 Magian 1213 Gyrian
1513 Stathian 1327 Zalian
1957 Pyrian 1961 Soptian
2647 Dadian 2711 Stolian
3371 Aeolylian 3403 Bylian
3733 Gycrian 3749 Raga Sorati
7-Z18 755 Phrythian 829 Lygian
815 Bolian 979 Mela Dhavalambari
1945 Zarian 1231 Logian
2425 Rorian 2537 Laptian
2455 Bothian 2663 Lalian
3275 Mela Divyamani 3379 Verdi's Scala Enigmatica
3685 Kodian Descending
3737 Phrocrian
7-7 463 Zythian 487 Dynian
967 Mela Salaga 911 Radian
2279 Dyrian 2291 Zydian
2531 Danian 2503 Mela Jhalavarali
3187 Koptian 3193 Zathian
3313 Aeolacrian 3299 Syptian
3641 Thocrian 3697 Ionarian
7-19 719 Kanian 847 Ganian
971 Mela Gavambodhi 973 Mela Syamalangi
1657 Ionothian 1267 Katynian
2407 Zylian 2471 Mela Ganamurti
2533 Podian 2681 Aerycrian
3251 Mela Hatakambari 3283 Mela Visvambhari
3673 Ranian 3689 Katocrian
7-13 375 Sodian 477 Stacrian
1815 Godian 1143 Styrian
1905 Katacrian 1863 Pycrian
2235 Bathian 2619 Ionyrian
2955 Thorian 2979 Gyptian
3165 Mylian 3357 Phrodian
3525 Zocrian 3537 Katogian
7-Z17 631 Zygian
953 Mela Yagapriya
1831 Pothian
 2363 Kataptian
2963 Bygian
3229 Aeolaptian
3529 Stalian
7-Z38 439 Bythian 475 Aeolygian
1763 Katalian 1595 Dacrian
1819 Pydian 1735 Mela Navanitam
2267 Padian 2285 Aerogian
2929 Aeolathian 2845 Baptian
2957 Thygian 2915 Aeolydian
3181 Rolian 3505 Stygian
7-27 695 Sarian 949 Mela Mararanjani
1465 Mela Ragavardhani 1261 Modified Blues
1765 Lonian 1339 Kycrian
1835 Byptian 1703 Mela Vanaspati
2395 Zoptian 2717 Epygian
2965 Darian 2899 Kagian
3245 Mela Varunapriya 3497 Phrolian
7-25 733 Donian 749 Aeologian
1207 Aeoloptian 1211 Zadian
1769 Blues Heptatonic II 1687 Phralian
1867 Solian 1897 Ionopian
2651 Panian 2653 Sygian
2981 Ionolian 2891 Phrogian
3373 Lodian 3493 Rathian
7-21 823 Stodian 827 Mixolocrian
883 Ralian 947 Mela Gayakapriya
1843 Ionygian 1639 Aeolothian
2459 Ionocrian 2461 Sagian
2489 Mela Gangeyabhusani 2521 Mela Dhatuvardhani
2969 Tholian 2867 Socrian
3277 Mela Nitimati 3481 Katathian
7-26 699 Aerothian 885 Sathian
1497 Mela Jyotisvarupini 1245 Lathian
1623 Lothian 1335 Elephant Scale
1893 Ionylian 1875 Persichetti Scale
2397 Stagian 2715 Kynian
2859 Phrycrian 2985 Epacrian
3477 Kyptian 3405 Stynian
7-Z37 443 Kothian
1591 Rodian
1891 Thalian
2269 Pygian
2843 Sorian
2993 Stythian
3469 Monian
7-15 471 Dodian
1479 Mela Jalarnava
1821 Aeradian
2283 Aeolyptian
2787 Zyrian
3189 Aeolonian
3441 Thacrian
7-29 727 Phradian 941 Mela Jhankaradhvani
1483 Mela Bhavapriya 1259 Stadian
1721 Mela Vagadhisvari 1447 Mela Ratnangi
1837 Dalian 1693 Dogian
2411 Aeolorian 2677 Thodian
2789 Zolian 2771 Marva That
3253 Mela Naganandini 3433 Thonian
7-28 747 Lynian 861 Rylian
1431 Phragian 1239 Epaptian
1629 Synian 1491 Namanarayani
1881 Katorian 1869 Katyrian
2421 Malian 2667 Byrian
2763 Mela Suvarnangi 2793 Eporian
3429 Marian 3381 Katanian
7-30 855 Porian 939 Mela Senavati
1395 Locrian Dominant 1383 Pynian
1485 Minor Romani 1437 Sabach ascending
1845 Lagian 1653 Minor Romani Inverse
2475 Neapolitan Minor 2517 Harmonic Lydian
2745 Mela Sulini 2739 Mela Suryakanta
3285 Mela Citrambari 3417 Golian
7-33 1367 Leading Whole-Tone
Inverse
1373 Storian
1397 Major Locrian
1493 Lydian Minor
1877 Aeroptian
2731 Neapolitan Major
3413 Leading Whole-tone
7-20 743 Chromatic Hypophrygian 925 Chromatic Hypodorian
Inverse 935 Chromatic Dorian
919 Chromatic Phrygian 1255 Chromatic Mixolydian
Inverse 2515 Chromatic Hypolydian
1849 Chromatic Hypodorian 2675 Chromatic Lydian
Inverse 3305 Chromatic Hypophrygian
2419 Raga Lalita 3385 Chromatic Phrygian
2507 Todi That
3257 Mela Calanata
3301 Chromatic Mixolydian
Inverse
 7-22 871 Locrian Double-flat 3
Double-flat 7
923 Ultraphrygian
1651 Asian
2483 Double Harmonic
2509 Double Harmonic
Minor
2873 Ionian Augmented
Sharp 2
3289 Lydian Sharp 2 Sharp 6
7-31 731 Alternating Heptamode 877 Moravian Pistalkova
1627 Zyptian 1243 Epylian
1739 Mela Sadvidhamargini 1691 Kathian
1753 Hungarian Major 1747 Mela Ramapriya
2413 Locrian Natural 2 2669 Jeths' Mode
2861 Katothian 2893 Lylian
2917 Nohkan Flute Scale 2921 Pogian
7-32 859 Ultralocrian 875 Locrian Double-flat 7
1459 Phrygian Dominant 1435 Makam Huzzam
1643 Locrian Natural 6 1645 Dorian Flat 5
1741 Lydian Diminished 1715 Harmonic Minor Inverse
2477 Harmonic Minor 2485 Harmonic Major
2777 Aeolian Harmonic 2765 Lydian Diminished
2869 Major Augmented 2905 Aeolian Flat 1
7-34 1371 Superlocrian
1389 Minor Locrian
1461 Major-Minor
1707 Dorian Flat 2
1749 Acoustic
2733 Melodic Minor
Ascending
2901 Lydian Augmented
7-35 1387 Locrian
1451 Phrygian
1453 Aeolian
1709 Dorian
1717 Mixolydian
2741 Major
2773 Lydian

Modal families with 8 tones

Forte Class Prime and its rotations Inverse and its

Name rotations
8-2 383 Logyllic 509 Ionothyllic
2033 Stolyllic 1151 Mythyllic
2239 Dacryllic 2623 Aerylyllic
3167 Thynyllic 3359 Bonyllic
 3631 Gydyllic 3727 Tholyllic
3863 Eparyllic 3911 Katyryllic
3979 Dynyllic 4003 Sadyllic
4037 Ionyllic 4049 Stycryllic
8-3 639 Ionaryllic
1017 Dythyllic
2367 Laryllic
3231 Kataptyllic
3663 Sonyllic
3879 Pathyllic
3987 Loryllic
4041 Zaryllic
8-4 447 Thyphyllic 507 Moryllic
2019 Palyllic 1599 Pocryllic
2271 Poptyllic 2301 Bydyllic
3057 Phroryllic 2847 Phracryllic
3183 Mixonyllic 3471 Gyryllic
3639 Paptyllic 3783 Phrygyllic
3867 Storyllic 3939 Dogyllic
3981 Phrycryllic 4017 Dolyllic
8-11 703 Aerocryllic 1013 Stydyllic
1529 Kataryllic 1277 Zadyllic
2021 Katycryllic 1343 Zalyllic
2399 Zanyllic 2719 Zocryllic
3247 Aeolonyllic 3407 Katocryllic
3671 Aeonyllic 3751 Aerathyllic
3883 Kyryllic 3923 Stoptyllic
3989 Sythyllic 4009 Phranyllic
8-10 765 Erkian
1215 Hibian
2025 Mivian
2655 Qojian
3375 Vecian
3735 Xupian
3915 Yuyian
4005 Zibian
8-7 831 Rodyllic
1011 Kycryllic
2463 Ionathyllic
2553 Aeolaptyllic
3279 Pythyllic
3687 Zonyllic
3891 Ryryllic
3993 Ioniptyllic
8-5 479 Kocryllic 503 Thoptyllic
1991 Phryptyllic 1823 Phralyllic
2287 Lodyllic 2299 Phraptyllic
3043 Ionayllic 2959 Dygyllic
 3191 Bynyllic 3197 Gylyllic
3569 Aeoladyllic 3527 Ronyllic
3643 Kydyllic 3811 Epogyllic
3869 Bygyllic 3953 Thagyllic
8-13 735 Sylyllic 1005 Radyllic
1785 Tharyllic 1275 Stagyllic
1995 Sideways Scale 1695 Phrodyllic
2415 Lothyllic 2685 Ionoryllic
3045 Raptyllic 2895 Aeoryllic
3255 Daryllic 3495 Banyllic
3675 Monyllic 3795 Epothyllic
3885 Styryllic 3945 Lydyllic
8-12 763 Doryllic 893 Dadyllic
1631 Rynyllic 1247 Aeodyllic
2009 Stacryllic 2003 Podyllic
2429 Kadyllic 2671 Aerolyllic
2863 Aerogyllic 3049 Phrydyllic
3479 Rothyllic 3383 Zoptyllic
3787 Kagyllic 3739 Epanyllic
3941 Stathyllic 3917 Katoptyllic
8-Z15 863 Pyryllic 1003 Ionyryllic
1523 Zothyllic 1439 Rolyllic
1997 Raga Cintamani 1661 Gonyllic
2479 Harmonic and Neapolitan 2549 Rydyllic
Minor Mixed 2767 Katydyllic
2809 Gythyllic 3431 Zyptyllic
3287 Phrathyllic 3763 Modyllic
3691 Badyllic 3929 Aeolothyllic
3893 Phrocryllic
8-21 1375 Bothyllic
1405 Goryllic
1525 Sodyllic
2005 Gygyllic
2735 Gynyllic
3415 Ionaptyllic
3755 Phryryllic
3925 Thyryllic
8-8 927 Gaptyllic
999 Ionodyllic
2511 Aeroptyllic
2547 Raga Ramkali
3303 Mylyllic
3321 Epagyllic
3699 Galyllic
3897 Kalyllic
8-6 495 Bocryllic
1935 Mycryllic
2295 Kogyllic
 3015 Laptyllic
3195 Raryllic
3555 Pylyllic
3645 Zycryllic
3825 Pynyllic
8-Z29 751 Epoian 989 Phrolyllic
1913 Lofian 1271 Kolyllic
1943 Luxian 1871 Aeolyllic
2423 Otuian 2683 Thodyllic
3019 Subian 2983 Zythyllic
3259 Ulian 3389 Socryllic
3557 Wekian 3539 Aeoryllic
3677 Xafian 3817 Zoryllic
8-14 759 Katalyllic 957 Phronyllic
1839 Zogyllic 1263 Stynyllic
1977 Dagyllic 1959 Katolyllic
2427 Katoryllic 2679 Rathyllic
2967 Madyllic 3027 Rythyllic
3261 Dodyllic 3387 Aeryptyllic
3531 Neveseri 3561 Pothyllic
3813 Aeologyllic 3741 Zydyllic
8-18 879 Aeranyllic 987 Aeraptyllic
1779 Zynyllic 1659 Maqam
1947 Byptyllic Shadd'araban
2487 Dothyllic 1743 Epigyllic
2937 Phragyllic 2541 Algerian
3021 Stodyllic 2877 Phrylyllic
3291 Lygyllic 2919 Molyllic
3693 Stadyllic 3507 Maqam Hijaz
3801 Maptyllic
8-22 1391 Aeradyllic 1403 Espla's Scale
1469 Epiryllic 1517 Sagyllic
1781 Gocryllic 1711 Adonai Malakh
1963 Epocryllic 1973 Zyryllic
2743 Staptyllic 2749 Katagyllic
3029 Ionocryllic 2903 Gothyllic
3419 Magen Abot 1 3499 Hamel
3757 Raga Mian Ki Malhar 3797 Rocryllic
8-17 891 Ionilyllic
1647 Polyllic
1971 Aerynyllic
2493 Manyllic
2871 Stanyllic
3033 Doptyllic
3483 Mixotharyllic
3789 Eporyllic
8-16 943 Aerygyllic 983 Thocryllic
1511 Styptyllic 1487 Mothyllic
 1949 Mathyllic 1853 Maryllic
2519 Dathyllic 2539 Half-Diminished
2803 Raga Bhatiyar Bebop
3307 Boptyllic 2791 Mixothyllic
3449 Bacryllic 3317 Katynyllic
3701 Bagyllic 3443 Verdi's Scala
Enigmatica
3769 Eponyllic
8-23 1455 Quartal Octamode
1515 Phrygian/Locrian Mixed
1725 Minor Bebop
1965 Raga Mukhari
2775 Godyllic
2805 Ishikotsucho
3435 Prokofiev
3765 Dominant Bebop
8-9 975 Messiaen Mode 4
2535 Messiaen Mode 4
3315 Tcherepnin Octatonic Mode 1
3705 Messiaen Mode 4 Inverse
8-19 887 Sathyllic 955 Ionogyllic
1847 Thacryllic 1655 Katygyllic
1907 Lynyllic 1895 Salyllic
2491 Layllic 2525 Aeolaryllic
2971 Aeolynyllic 2875 Ganyllic
3001 Lonyllic 2995 Raga Saurashtra
3293 Saryllic 3485 Sabach
3533 Thadyllic 3545 Thyptyllic
8-24 1399 Syryllic
1501 Stygyllic
1879 Mixoryllic
1909 Epicryllic
2747 Stythyllic
2987 Neapolitan Major and Minor
Mixed
3421 Aerothyllic
3541 Racryllic
8-20 951 Thogyllic
1767 Dyryllic
1851 Zacryllic
2523 Mirage Scale
2931 Zathyllic
2973 Panyllic
3309 Bycryllic
3513 Dydyllic
8-27 1463 Ugrian 1499 Bebop Locrian
1757 Kunian 1723 JG Octatonic
1771 Kuwian 1751 Aeolyryllic
 1883 Lomian 1901 Ionidyllic
2779 Shostakovich 2797 Stalyllic
2933 Sizian 2909 Mocryllic
2989 Bebop Minor 2923 Baryllic
3437 Vopian 3509 Stogyllic
8-26 1467 Spanish Phrygian
1719 Lyryllic
1773 Blues Scale II
1899 Moptyllic
2781 Gycryllic
2907 Magen Abot 2
2997 Major Bebop
3501 Maqam Nahawand
8-25 1495 Messiaen Mode 6
1885 Saptyllic
2795 Van der Horst Octatonic
3445 Messiaen Mode 6 Inverse
8-28 1755 Octatonic
2925 Diminished

Modal families with 9 tones

Forte Class Prime and its rotations Inverse and its

Name rotations
9-1 511 Chromatic Nonamode
2303 Nonatonic Chromatic 2
3199 Nonatonic Chromatic 3
3647 Nonatonic Chromatic 4
3871 Nonatonic Chromatic 5
3983 Nonatonic Chromatic 6
4039 Nonatonic Chromatic 7
4067 Nonatonic Chromatic 8
4081 Nonatonic Chromatic
Descending
9-2 767 Raptygic 1021 Ladygic
2041 Aeolacrygic 1279 Sarygic
2431 Gythygic 2687 Thacrygic
3263 Pyrygic 3391 Aeolynygic
3679 Rycrygic 3743 Thadygic
3887 Phrathygic 3919 Lynygic
3991 Badygic 4007 Doptygic
4043 Phrocrygic 4051 Ionilygic
4069 Starygic 4073 Sathygic
9-3 895 Aeolathygic 1019 Aeranygic
2035 Aerythygic 1663 Lydygic
2495 Aeolocrygic 2557 Dothygic
3065 Zothygic 2879 Stadygic
 3295 Phroptygic 3487 Byptygic
3695 Kodygic 3791 Stodygic
3895 Eparygic 3943 Zynygic
3995 Ionygic 4019 Lonygic
4045 Gyptygic 4057 Phrygic
9-6 1407 Tharygic
1533 Katycrygic
2037 Sythygic
2751 Sylygic
3423 Lothygic
3759 Darygic
3927 Monygic
4011 Styrygic
4053 Kyrygic
9-4 959 Katylygic 1015 Ionodygic
2023 Zodygic 1855 Gaptygic
2527 Phradygic 2555 Bythygic
3059 Madygic 2975 Aeroptygic
3311 Mixodygic 3325 Mixolygic
3577 Loptygic 3535 Mylygic
3703 Katalygic 3815 Galygic
3899 Katorygic 3955 Pothygic
3997 Dogygic 4025 Kalygic
9-7 1471 Radygic 1531 Styptygic
1789 Blues Enneatonic II 1727 Sydygic
2027 Boptygic 2029 Kiourdi
2783 Gothygic 2813 Zolygic
3061 Apinygic 2911 Katygic
3439 Lythygic 3503 Zyphygic
3767 Chromatic Bebop 3799 Aeralygic
3931 Aerygic 3947 Ryptygic
4013 Raga Pilu 4021 Raga Pahadi
9-5 991 Aeolygic 1007 Epitygic
1999 Zacrygic 1951 Marygic
2543 Dydygic 2551 Thocrygic
3047 Panygic 3023 Mothygic
3319 Tholygic 3323 Lacrygic
3571 Dyrygic 3559 Thophygic
3707 Rynygic 3709 Katynygic
3833 Dycrygic 3827 Bodygic
3901 Bycrygic 3961 Zathygic
9-8 1503 Padygic 1527 Aeolyrigic
1917 Sacrygic 1887 Aerocrygic
2007 Stonygic 2013 Mocrygic
2799 Epilygic 2811 Barygic
3051 Stalygic 2991 Zanygic
3447 Kynygic 3453 Katarygic
3573 Kaptygic 3543 Aeolonygic
3771 Stophygic 3819 Aeolanygic
 3933 Ionidygic 3957 Porygic
9-10 1759 Pylygic
1787 Mycrygic
2011 Raphygic
2927 Rodygic
2941 Laptygic
3053 Zycrygic
3511 Epolygic
3803 Epidygic
3949 Koptygic
9-9 1519 Locrian/Aeolian Mixed
1967 Diatonic Dorian Mixed
1981 Houseini
2807 Zylygic
3031 Epithygic
3451 Garygic
3563 Ionoptygic
3773 Raga Malgunji
3829 Taishikicho
9-11 1775 Lyrygic 1783 Youlan Scale
1915 Thydygic 1903 Rocrygic
1975 Ionocrygic 1979 Aeradygic
2935 Modygic 2939 Goptygic
3005 Gycrygic 2999 Diminishing
3035 Gocrygic Nonamode
3515 Moorish Phrygian 3037 Nine Tone Scale
3565 Aeolorygic 3517 Epocrygic
3805 Moptygic 3547 Sadygic
3821 Epyrygic
9-12 1911 Messiaen Mode 3
3003 Genus Chromaticum
3549 Messiaen Mode 3 Inverse

Modal families with 10 tones

Forte Class Prime and its rotations Inverse and its

Name rotations
10-1 1023 Chromatic Decamode
2559 Decatonic Chromatic 2
3327 Decatonic Chromatic 3
3711 Decatonic Chromatic 4
3903 Decatonic Chromatic 5
3999 Decatonic Chromatic 6
4047 Decatonic Chromatic 7
4071 Decatonic Chromatic 8
4083 Decatonic Chromatic 9
4089 Decatonic Chromatic
Descending
 10-2 1535 Mixodyllian
2045 Katogyllian
2815 Aeradyllian
3455 Ryptyllian
3775 Loptyllian
3935 Kataphyllian
4015 Phradyllian
4055 Dagyllian
4075 Katyllian
4085 Rechberger's Decamode
10-3 1791 Aerygyllian
2043 Maqam Tarzanuyn
2943 Dathyllian
3069 Maqam Shawq Afza
3519 Raga Sindhi-Bhairavi
3807 Bagyllian
3951 Mathyllian
4023 Styptyllian
4059 Zolyllian
4077 Gothyllian
10-4 1919 Rocryllian
2039 Danyllian
3007 Zyryllian
3067 Goptyllian
3551 Sagyllian
3581 Epocryllian
3823 Epinyllian
3959 Katagyllian
4027 Ragyllian
4061 Staptyllian
10-5 1983 Soryllian
2031 Gadyllian
3039 Godyllian
3063 Solyllian
3567 Epityllian
3579 Zyphyllian
3831 Ionyllian
3837 Minor Pentatonic With
Leading Tones
3963 Aeoryllian
4029 Major/Minor Mixed
10-6 2015 Messiaen Mode 7
3055 Messiaen Mode 7
3575 Symmetrical Decatonic
3835 Katodyllian
3965 Messiaen Mode 7 Inverse

Modal families with 11 tones

 Forte Class Prime and its rotations Inverse and its
Name rotations
11-1 2047 Chromatic Undecamode
3071 Chromatic Undecamode
2
3583 Chromatic Undecamode
3
3839 Chromatic Undecamode
4
3967 Chromatic Undecamode
5
4031 Chromatic Undecamode
6
4063 Chromatic Undecamode
7
4079 Chromatic Undecamode
8
4087 Chromatic Undecamode
9
4091 Chromatic Undecamode
10
4093 Chromatic Undecamode
11

Modal families with 12 tones

Forte Class Name Prime and its rotations Inverse and its rotations
12-1 4095 Chromatic

Symmetry
There are two kinds of symmetry of interest to scale analysis. They are rotational
symmetry and reflective symmetry.

Rotational Symmetry
Rotational symmetry is the symmetry that occurs by transposing a scale up or down
by an interval, and observing whether the transposition and the original have an
identical pattern of steps.

The set of 12 tones has 5 axes of symmetry. The twelve can be divided by 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 6.

Any scale containing this kind of symmetry can reproduce its own tones by
transposition, and is also called a "mode of limited transposition" (Messaien)

Below are all the scales that have rotational symmetry.

axes of symmetry interval of repetition scales
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 semitone

4095

2,4,6,8,10 whole tone

1365

3,6,9 minor thirds

585

1755

2925

4,8 major thirds

273

819

1911
 2457

3003

3549

6 tritones

325

455

715

845

975

1105
1235

1495

1625

1885

2015

2275

2405

2535

2665

2795
 3055

3185

3315

3445

3575

3705

3835

3965

number of notes in scale Placement of rotational symmetries

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
 number of notes in scale Placement of rotational symmetries
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
4 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0
5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 0 1 0 3 0 10 0 3 0 1 0
7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 0 0 2 0 0 10 0 0 2 0 0
9 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
10 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0
11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

A curious numeric pattern

You'll notice that in the list of scales exhibiting rotational symmetry, many have a
decimal representation that ends with the digit 5. A closer look shows that the
pattern exists for all scales that have symmetry on axes of 6, 4, and 2 - where all the
notes in the scale are in pairs a tritone apart. In the binary schema, each pair of notes
that are a tritone apart add up to a multiple of 10, except for the root pair that adds
up to 65. Therefore, all scales with rotational symmetry on the tritone will end with
the digit 5.

Messiaen's Modes - and their truncations

The French composer Olivier Messiaen studied scales with rotational symmetry,
because they are useful in creating sonorities with an ambiguous tonic. He famously
named seven such modes, and asserted that they are the only ones that may exist; all
other symmetrical scales are truncations of those. We can prove that Messiaen was
correct, by putting every symmetrical scale into a chart of their truncation
relationships.

In all of Messiaen's modes, the modes are regarded as identical, which makes sense
because the whole point was to create ambiguous tonality. Therefore when we speak
of one of the Messiaenic modes, we're talking about a whole modal family of scales,
like this one which he labeled Mode 7:

Truncation is the process of removing notes from a scale, without affecting its
symmetry. The concept is best explained by example. Let's take the mode which
Messiaen called the Second Mode:

That scale is symmetrical along the axis of a 3-semitone interval, i.e. by transposing it
up a minor third. When we remove tones to create a truncation, we must preserve
that symmetry, by removing four notes from the scale, like this:

In addition to the 3-semitone symmetry, that scale is also symmetrical along the axis
of a 6-semitone interval. We can create two different truncations of 1755 that
preserve that symmetry:

Technically, all of Messiaen's modes are truncated forms of 4095 , the 12-tone scale,
which is symmetrical at all intervals.

Hierarchy of truncations
This diagram illustrates that all symmetrical scales are truncations of the Messaienic
modes (labeled "M" plus their number as assigned by Messaien). M1, M2, M3, and
M7 are all truncations of the chromatic scale 4095; M2, M4, and M6 are truncations
of M7; M1 and M5 are truncations of M6. M1 is also a truncation of M3, and M5 is
also a truncation of M4. All the other rotationally symmetrical scales are labeled "T#"
and are shown where they belong in the hierarchy of truncations.
Modal Family Scales is truncation of
*

4095

Messiaen's Modes of Limited Transposition

M1 *, M3, M6

1365

M2 *, M7

1755

2925

M3 *

3549

3003

1911

M4 M7

975
 2535

3315

3705

M5 M6, M4

455

2275

3185

M6 M7

1885

1495

2795
 3445

M7 *

3055

2015

3575

3835

3965

Truncations
T1 M2, T5, T4

585

T2 M3

2457
 819

T3 M1, T2

273

T4 M2, M6, M4

1625

715

2405

T5 M2, M6, M4

2665

845

1235

T6 T4, T5, M5, M1

325
 1105

In this study we are ignoring sonorities that aren't like a "scale" by disallowing
large interval leaps (see the first section). If we ignore those rules, what other
truncated sets exist? (spoiler hint: not very many!)
Does the naming of certain scales by Messiaen seem haphazard? Why did he
name M5, which is merely a truncation of both M6 and M4, which are in turn
truncations of M7?

Reflective Symmetry
A scale can be said to have reflective symmetry if it has an axis of reflection. If that
axis falls on the root, then the scale will have the same interval pattern ascending and
descending. A reflectively symmetrical scale, symmetrical on the axis of the root
tone, is called a palindromic scale.

Here are all the scales that are palindromic:

Chirality
An object is chiral if it is distinguishable from its mirror image, and can't be
transformed into its mirror image by rotation. Chirality is an important concept in
knot theory, and also has applications in molecular chemistry.

The concept of chirality is apparent when you consider "handedness" of a shape, such
as a glove. A pair of gloves has a left hand and a right hand, and you can't transform a
left glove into a right one by flipping it over or rotating it. The glove, therefore, is a
chiral object. Conversely, a sock can be worn by the right or left foot; the mirror
image of a sock would still be the same sock. Therefore a sock is not a chiral object.

Palindromic scales are achiral. But not all non-palindromic scales are chiral. For
example, consider the scales 1105 and 325 (below). One is the mirror image
(reflection) of the other. They are not palindromic scales. They are also achiral,
because one can transform into the other by rotation.

The major scale is achiral. If you reflect the major scale, you get the phrygian scale;
these two scales are modes (rotations) of each other. Therefore neither of them are
chiral. Similarly, none of the other ecclesiastical major modes are chiral.

What makes chirality interesting? For one thing chirality indicates that a scale does
not have any symmetry along any axis. If you examine all achiral scales, they will all
have some axis of reflective symmetry - it's just not necessarily the root tone (which
would make it palindromic).

Some achiral scales, and their axes of symmetry

A chiral object and its mirror image are called enantiomorphs. (source)

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Scale Chirality / Enantiomorph