(the sixteenth root of 2), which is, approximately, 1.041616011. Each
of the intervals can then be calculated as before:Equal Divisions of the Octave into Different Numbers of Tones
In twelve tone equal temperament the octave is divided into twelve equal ratio intervals. This causes major difficulties with intonation. Some of these difficulties could be eliminated if the octave was divided into a different number of tones, giving a scale with more or less that 12 notes.
From the early stages of the piano's development, there have been five black and seven white keys to an octave. This could be so because it is particularly appropriate for the human hand, although to date no extensive work has been done to assert this. In subdividing the octave into 12, perhaps we have been led by our hands and not our ears!
In order to divide the octave into a different number of tones all we need to
do is to compute the ratios in the same manner as we did for 12 tone equal temperament
except with the different base. For example, if we choose 16 divisions to the octave,
then the ratio unit ratio, a, is (the sixteenth root of 2), which is, approximately, 1.041616011. Each
of the intervals can then be calculated as before:
The actual frequencies can then easily be calculated.