Hello 2026 from Hello 2026 by Harris McSheffery
This track welcomes 2026 with a poly-microtonal approach, using two tuning systems: 20 EDO (Equal Divisions of the Octave) and 26 EDO. Both of these tunings are xenharmonic, since they don't go neatly into multiples of 12 EDO (the familiar Western tuning system).
(Lowest common multiple tuning system is 260 EDO, which would be impractical to do in only one tuning file).
Stylistically, I was inspired by Dmitri Shostakovich's use of striking dissonances. Using a marching ostinato in the left hand while playing unrelated sounds and syncopations in the right hand creates a sonic caricature of this approach to composition, which sounds appropriate to me in these challenging times.
The piece starts and ends with both tuning systems playing at once, with two "chorales" in the middle, the first in 20 EDO, and the second one in 26 EDO. In this piece, both tuning systems intersect at Middle C on the piano, and diverge from there either way. I use this anchor during the chorales to tie it all together. The first chorale uses descending left-hand voice leading, in the style of Chopin's famous E minor prelude, but in microtones; and the second chorale uses ascending left-hand voice leading in similar style.
I use an organ patch to get sustain. The dissonance resolves at the end to an F major 7-ish harmony. It's one of those happy accidents of poly-microtonality producing nice harmonies, much appreciated after all the spiciness, even if F major 7 sounds a bit "emo" to some. There's still a tinge of sadness, yet it sounds hopeful to me after all the musical crunches!
Hope you enjoy it.
Tracklist
| 1. | Hello 2026 | 7:11 |
Lyrics
[20 EDO and 26 EDO musical alchemy facilitated by multiple MIDI tracks retuned by different tuning files played at once!]
Credits
Music composed by Harris McSheffery.
License
All rights reserved.Tags
Eclectic Musician in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. Moving between jazz, rock, classical, experimental, microtonal, pop, and more. Sometimes samples originals for lo-fi hip-hop. Raised on European Classical style piano training from age 9 to the present day, his 4-year Bachelor of Music degree from Mount Allison University informs Harris' art. Often makes DIY album art from collage. Enjoy!