Introduction/Reference/Definitions/I

abbreviations
"Tr" - a traditional, usually academic definition or symbol
"Ex-" - example

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IAMB
A 2-syllable word consisting of Off-beat/Beat (Ex- "today"). see Scansion

IMPROVISING
The art of organizing sound and/or motion, in time, during performance. See Composing.

IMPROVISING MUSIC
The art of organizing sound, in the Music phenomenon, while performing it.

INCOMPLETENESS
A Transformation in Harmony, in which a Tetrad will be presented incomplete (usually as a Triad). In 4-voice harmony, one of the Primary Notes will replace the missing member (temporarily or permanently).

INTERVAL
Tr- Distance, in the Quantitative Dimension of Pitch (frequency) between 2 notes of a diatonic scale, measured by counting the notes involved
     the Unison (C to C) between 2 identical notes
     a Second (C to D) between 2 adjacent notes
     a Third (C to E) between 3 adjacent notes
     a Fourth (C to F) between 4 adjacent notes
     a Fifth (C to G) between 5 adjacent notes
     a Sixth (C to A) between 6 adjacent notes
     a Seventh (C to B) between 7 adjacent notes
     an Octave (C to C) between 8 adjacent notes
     a Ninth (C to D, an octave plus a second) between 9 adjacent notes
     a Tenth (C to E, an octave plus a third) between 10 adjacent notes
     an Eleventh (C to F, an octave plus a fourth) between 11 adjacent notes
     a Twelfth (C to G, an octave plus a fifth) between 12 adjacent notes
     a Thirteenth (C to A, an octave plus a sixth) between 13 adjacent notes
     a Fourteenth (C to B, an octave plus a seventh) between 14 adjacent notes
     a Fifteenth (C to C, 2 octaves) between 15 adjacent notes
We apologize for the detail given here, but it is truly at the definition of 2 octaves (a 15th instead of a 16th, one should write 15va and not 16va) that the inadequacy of this system of distance measurement becomes evident. Each term used is one unit too large, because one counts the notes involved rather than the distances between them, as if one counted the pegs on a clothes-line rather than the towels. The error is evident right from the start (a second plus a second equals a third, a third plus a third equals a fifth, and so on). The obvious remedy is to count the Steps between the notes (C to D is a 1-Step, C to E is a 2-Step, a 1-Step plus a 1-Step equals a 2-Step, and so on). When will be the appropriate time to correct and change this faulty terminology?
     Tr- The term "perfect" (normal) will be applied to the unison, the fourth, the fifth, and the octave.
     Tr- The term "augmented" (larger) will be applied to the unison, the second, the fourth, the sixth, and the octave.
     Tr- The term "diminished" (smaller) will be applied to the third, the fifth, the seventh, and the octave.
     Tr- The terms "major" (large) and "minor" (small) will be applied to seconds, thirds, sixths and sevenths
The terms "major" and "minor" could advantageously be replaced by the simpler terms "large" and "small", leaving the terms "major" and "minor" for chords (and modes) where they denote disposition and not size.

INTONATION
Systems of tuning, especially as applied to keyboard and other "fixed tuning" instruments (guitar, harp...)
     A variety of tempered tunings, of which only Equi-tempered Tuning remains in use today
     Just Intonation Tuning, the normal and intuitive choice of all "flexible tuning" instruments,
          of which we propose a Functional form,
               every note tuned according to its Harmonic and Melodic function.

INVERSION
1. Between the major and minor modes, around the central note of the Window, as presented by Hugo Riemann. 2. Tr- The use of other members than the root of the chord in the Bass voice, for which there is specific "figuring", see Chord Symbols.