dolostoonists

Dolostoonists is a term used to describe a small but influential group of avant-garde composers and musicians who emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in the United States. The movement was centered around the experimental composer and pianist, Harry Partch, who sought to create a musical system based on the just intonation tuning philosophy. Just intonation is a tuning system where the frequencies of notes are based on simple ratios, aiming to eliminate the dissonance inherent in equal temperament tuning, which divides the octave into 12 equal semitones.

Partch’s work was deeply rooted in his belief that traditional Western music had become stagnant and that a radical rethinking of musical structure was necessary. He developed a custom instrument called the *43-tone equal temperament guitar*, which allowed him to explore microtonal intervals not found in standard Western instruments. Additionally, he composed works using unconventional scales, rhythms, and textural elements, often incorporating non-Western musical influences, such as those from Native American, Asian, and Middle Eastern traditions.

While Partch is the most well-known figure associated with dolostoonism, the term itself was not widely used during his lifetime. It was later coined by music scholars to describe his approach and that of a few like-minded composers who experimented with extended techniques, alternative tunings, and unconventional performance practices. Unlike the more structured movements of serialism or atonality, dolostoonism was characterized by its improvisational and exploratory nature, often blending music with visual art, poetry, and even philosophy.

Partch’s compositions, such as *Barstow: The Most Magnificent Flower* and *The Defect of the Human Voice*, remain influential in experimental music circles. His ideas continue to inspire contemporary composers and performers who seek to push the boundaries of traditional musical notation and sound. Though dolostoonism never formed a formal collective, its legacy endures as a testament to the power of individual artistic vision in reshaping musical thought.