Heptatoniset

Heptatoniset is a term used in theoretical music to describe a musical system or scale that utilizes seven distinct pitches within an octave. This is in contrast to heptatonic scales, which are common in many musical traditions worldwide and also contain seven notes, but the term "heptatoniset" implies a deliberate construction or theoretical framework for such a system, often focusing on its intervallic structure or potential for harmonic and melodic development.

Unlike diatonic scales like major and minor, which are inherently seven-note scales, the concept of "heptatoniset" can encompass a broader range of seven-note arrangements. These might include scales with different intervallic patterns, such as those found in certain folk music traditions, or entirely novel constructions designed for specific compositional purposes. The study of heptatoniset often involves analyzing the relationships between these seven pitches, their potential modes, and the types of chords and progressions they can generate.

The term can also be applied to compositional techniques where a seven-note collection is established as the basis for a piece. This can be a fixed set of pitches that are treated with a degree of systematic organization, similar to a tone row in serialism, but with a seven-note constraint. Understanding heptatoniset contributes to a deeper appreciation of the vast possibilities within tonal and modal music, as well as the theoretical underpinnings of various musical systems.