realize_stepword: Define scale by entering its relative step sizes

In musicMCT: Analyze the Structure of Musical Scales

Define scale by entering its relative step sizes

Description

Where asword() takes you from a scale to a ranked list of its step sizes, realize_stepword does the opposite: given a list of ranked step sizes, it defines a scale with those steps. It does not attempt to define a scale that exists in 12-tone equal temperament or another mod k universe, though the result will have integral values in some mod k setting. If you want that information, set reconvert to FALSE.

Usage

realize_stepword(stepword, edo = 12, reconvert = TRUE)

Arguments

stepword	A numeric vector (intended to be nonnegative integers) of ranked step sizes; should be the same length as desired output set.
edo	Number of unit steps in an octave. Defaults to 12.
reconvert	Boolean. Should the result be expressed measured in terms of semitones (or a different mod k step if edo is not set to 12)?

Value

Numeric vector of same length as set, if reconvert is TRUE. If reconvert is FALSE, returns a list with two elements. The first element (set) expresses the defined set as integer values in some edo. The second element (edo) tells you which edo (mod k universe) the set is defined in.

Examples

dim7 <- realize_stepword(c(1, 1, 1, 1))
four_on_the_floor <- realize_stepword(c(1, 1, 1, 1), edo=16)
my_luggage <- realize_stepword(c(1, 2, 3, 4, 5))
my_luggage_in_15edo <- realize_stepword(c(1, 2, 3, 4, 5), reconvert=FALSE)
dim7
four_on_the_floor
my_luggage
my_luggage_in_15edo

pwf_scale <- realize_stepword(c(3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 3, 1))
asword(pwf_scale)

musicMCT documentation built on June 21, 2026, 9:06 a.m.