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Octatonic sets, which are also called octatonic scales, diminished scales, symmetrical diminished scales, and even the Rimsky-Korsakov scale, are
a special set of notes. There are two ways to construct them, off any pitch:
1. half-whole an eight note scale built by going up a half step, then a whole step, then a half step, then a whole step, etc. This leads to, for
example: C - Db - Eb - E - F# - G - A - Bb , and then return to C.
2. whole-half an eight note scale built by going up a whole step, then a half step, then a whole step, then a half step, etc. This leads to, for
example: C - D - Eb - F - Gb - Ab - A - B , and then C
These scales are symmetrical: they follow the exact same pattern throughout. There are very few scales like this (the whole tone scale is
another example: all whole steps). One consequence of this symmetry is that the scale does not have a built-in, clear root. (This is why some people
avoid calling the octatonics scales, because, traditionally, a given scale is understood to have a single, unambiguous tonic due to its unique array of
intervals. The strongest example would be the major scale, with its 5 1 resolution, its leading tone, its tritone resolution, etc.).
Take the first example from above, C - Db - Eb - E - F# - G - A - Bb. If I started the half-whole pattern on Eb, Gb, or A, I would get the exact same
set of notes. (e.g. Eb, up a half step = E, up a whole step = F#, etc.) This makes the scales kind of slippery in a special way: they dont really
have one tonic note. Also, this leads to a peculiar situation where there are only 3 possible octatonic sets. Below I have written out, in two octaves,
the only possible octatonic sets. All others are contained within these, just starting on a different note. For example, the first one contains C, Eb, Gb,
and A half-whole; it also contains Db, E, G, and Bb whole-half. Play through these and explore their sound.
Many composers have found lots of interesting phenomena inside these. For example:
The second set starts with the first 4 notes of C minor and is then followed by the first four notes of F#minor. Two minor-scale portions, a tritone
apart, smoothly connected.
There are a startling number of triads available in each set. Looking at the first set: off the first note we can build a C diminished chord, a C minor
chord, and a C major chord. Off the second note of the first set we can build a C# diminished triad, an F#minor triad in second inversion, and an A
major triad in first inversion, etc.
Every note has another note a tritone away, and also a note either a perfect 5th or a perfect 4th. (e.g., in the first set: C has an F# a tritone away, and
a G a perfect 5th away; C# has a G a tritone a way and an F# a perfect 4th away). Other consistent dissonances and consonances occur.
Each set comprises two dominant 7th chords a tritone apart, and also two fully diminished 7th chords a step apart.
Any given pitch occurs in two of the three sets, and not in the other. For example the note G occurs in the first and third one but not the second.
This makes it very easy to move from one set to another by way of a common tone.
These are just a few of the phenomena composers have taken advantage of.
Heres a little thing I wrote using the first set, where I did a few things: I took advantage of lots of available triads in the flutes part, I wrote linear
elements in the oboe and bass clarinet, and then I wrote consistent non-tertial structures in the last bar. All of this is diatonic to the first set above.