Note in an octave

[Susan Kline]

At 08:35 AM 11/09/1999 -0400, you wrote:
>  You're all not quite right,
>        The octave does not divide into six whole tones, but five whole
>tones plus a diminished third!  Example: C D E F# G# A# C.   A#-C is a
>diminished third because a whole tone must be written B flat to C.
>Granted A#-C is an enharmonic spelling of the same physical interval on
>the keyboard, but would be marked an error on a theory exam.  A# and B
>flat are "enharmonic tones" because they refer to the same keys on the
>keyboard.  Note that enharmonic tones have nothing to do with
>inharmonicity.   Music has both sharps and flats because of temperament
>and tuning.  Equal temperament is the only temperament where the whole
>tone is a uniform interval.
>
>-Mike Jorgensen RPT and survivor of music theory.

Mike, you're absolutely correct, of course! It's that old circle of fifths 
showing up our linear thinking again, as we try to make a straight line out 
of something which is curly by nature.

-Susan Kline RPT and survivor of teaching music theory.