Totalharmonisk

Totalharmonisk is a term used primarily in Danish-language discussions of music and sound to describe a state or quality of complete harmony. The word is formed from total, meaning whole or complete, and harmonisk, meaning harmonic, signaling an emphasis on full consonance across frequency content.

In music theory and tuning, totalharmonisk may refer to techniques or systems aimed at achieving maximal consonance. This can involve aligning partials with the harmonic series, or employing tuning systems such as just intonation or carefully designed microtonal scales that reduce dissonance across a piece or sound design. The term is not a standard technical category in mainstream music theory, but it appears in niche discussions, experimental scores, and some audio-production communities as a conceptual goal rather than a formal definition.

Usage and interpretation vary by context. As a guiding concept, totalharmonisk can influence harmonic choices in electronic music, film scoring, or sound design where a smooth, cohesive sonic field is desired. Critics may treat it as an ideal or aspiration rather than a universally practical objective, given the limitations of temperament, instrumentation, and genre conventions.

Origin and etymology: The term draws on Danish linguistic roots, combining total and harmonisk to describe a state of comprehensive harmony. While not widely standardized, totalharmonisk is recognized in certain communities as a descriptive goal rather than a formal theory.

See also: harmony, consonance, tuning, just intonation, harmonic series.