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Calculating the dissonance of a chord according to Helmholtz theory

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Abstract

Following the ideas of von Helmholtz and Plomp-Levelt, an algorithm for calculating the dissonance of complex sounds, free from logical inconsistencies and useful for comparing different chords, is proposed. The method is tested by comparing different tunings of the same major triad. Some interesting conclusions from this calculation may be drawn.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova and INFN, Sezione di Genova, Genova, Italy

    Giorgio Dillon

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  1. Giorgio Dillon
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Correspondence to Giorgio Dillon.

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Dillon, G. Calculating the dissonance of a chord according to Helmholtz theory. Eur. Phys. J. Plus 128, 90 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2013-13090-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2013-13090-4

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