Note in an octave

[Jim Dally]

On the millionaire show they gave the answer as six whole tones..........uh
oh....
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Jorgensen <Michael.Jorgensen@cmich.edu>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 1999 7:35 AM
Subject: Re: Note in an octave


> 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.