Alpha scale


The α scale is a non-octave-repeating musical scale invented by Wendy Carlos and first used on her album Beauty in the Beast. It is derived from approximating just intervals using multiples of a single interval without, as is standard in equal temperaments, requiring an octave. It may be approximated by dividing the perfect fifth into nine equal steps, or by dividing the minor third into four steps.
The scale step may also be precisely derived from using 9:5 to approximate the interval .
and
At 78 cents per step, this totals approximately 15.385 steps per octave, however, more accurately, the alpha scale step is 77.965 cents and there are 15.3915 per octave.
Though it does not have an octave, the alpha scale produces, "wonderful triads," and the beta scale has similar properties but the sevenths are more in tune. However, the alpha scale has, "excellent harmonic seventh chords...using the inversion of, i.e., septimal whole tone| ."
interval namesize
size
just ratiojust
error
septimal major second3233.908:7231.17+2.72
major third5389.835:4386.31+3.51
perfect fifth9701.693:2701.96−0.27
harmonic seventh12935.587:4968.83−33.25
octave151169.482:11200.00−30.52
octave161247.442:11200.00+47.44