Bending The Fabric Of Scales with Levi McClain (31-Note Microtonalist)
Love Music More · hosted by Luke F. Walton (Scoobert Doobert)
Guest: Levi McClain
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Host note
In this episode of Love Music More, we're thrilled to welcome Levi McClain, a pioneering voice in the realm of microtonal music. Levi takes us on an enlightening journey through the intricacies of microtonality and its emotional landscapes. As a musician and educator, he has dedicated himself to expanding our auditory palettes beyond the traditional 12-tone system, revealing how much remains uncharted in the world of sound. Levi breaks down these complex ideas into relatable concepts, emphasizing that music is not merely a collection of notes but an expansive realm where beauty and emotion intertwine. We’re excited for you to
Selected moments
- Introduction to Levi and Microtonal Harmony 2:32 Levi introduces his YouTube channel and his passion for microtonal harmony, explaining what it means to divide an octave into 31 notes.
- Microtonality in Western Music 3:51 Levi discusses how microtones aren't just present in non-Western music traditions, but also in Western music, particularly through techniques like bending notes.
- The Science of Octaves 6:32 Levi explains octaves scientifically, discussing how frequency relationships contribute to our perception of notes.
- Ancient Greek Music Theory 10:46 Discussion about how historical perspectives, particularly from the Greeks, inform our understanding of music and theory today.
- Microtonality’s Practical Implementation 46:00 Levi talks about practical ways to implement microtonality in composition, emphasizing instruments that allow for micro-tuning.
- Exploring AI in Music 19:12 Levi shares his thoughts on the ethics of AI in music creation and how it can be both a useful tool and a controversial subject.
Selected excerpts
What happens if we instead of dividing an octave into 12 equally distant notes, what happens if we divide them into 31 equally distant notes?
Microtones can create a lot of beauty and richness in music, especially when you think about how we can express ourselves in different ways through those intervals.
A beautiful way to think about music is to see it as an exploration, not just a technical practice.
There's this idea that the best music is the music that's mathematically perfect; that's not necessarily the case all the time.
If you can treat tuning as a tool rather than a limitation, it opens up so many more possibilities for expression in your music.
Essentially, music and art are interconnected; they reflect on each other and can be understood through a comprehensive lens of experience.
FAQ
Who is Levi McClain?
Levi McClain is a musician and educator known for his expertise in microtonal harmony and music theory, particularly through his YouTube channel.
What is microtonality?
Microtonality refers to intervals smaller than the traditional semitone, allowing for a broader emotional palette and richer harmonic possibilities.
How can I implement microtonality in my music?
You can implement microtonality by using fretless instruments, digital audio workstations (DAWs) that support microtuning, and by learning to work with various tuning systems like Scala.
Curated notes only — no public transcript. Listen on the links above.