Hyperprism by Varese - A Guide to the Pitch and TImbre Analysis of the Wind Section

Varèse: Hyperprism A guide to pitch and timber analysis of wind instruments section. © Didier Guigue 1998

The twelve-tones chromatic scale is splitted into four symmetry axis of a Major 7th around Bb, C#, E and G, respectively. The 1st axis (Bb) is quite constant.

Pitch classes stats: Bb is the most frequent pitch.

c = 7 c#/db = 8 d = 7 eb = 7 e = 8 f = 7 f# = 6 g = 5 g#/ab = 4 a = 6 bb = 10 b = 6

Sonic articulation in Hyperprism

Each axis is assigned a color. Each of the appearances of the four pitch axis (with or without their two symmetrical pitches) is linked to a new sonic context. There is no repetition of a single sonority on the same pitch axis. As an example, the sonic articulation of the 'c#' axis is shown.

listen to Hyperprism