Drittelton

Drittelton is a musical term referring to a microtonal interval that is one-third of a semitone. While Western music typically uses a 12-tone equal temperament system, where the smallest interval is a semitone, microtonal music explores intervals smaller than a semitone. The drittelton represents one such division, creating finer gradations of pitch.

In a drittelton system, a standard octave would be divided into 36 equal parts, rather than the 12 semitones of equal temperament. This allows for a much greater range of melodic and harmonic possibilities. Composers who work with dritteltons, such as those in the tradition of Harry Partch, use specialized instruments or tuning systems to access these pitches. The perception and effect of dritteltons can vary greatly depending on the listener's familiarity with microtonal music. While not commonly encountered in mainstream Western music, drittelton systems are explored in contemporary classical music, experimental music, and academic research into tuning and temperament.