Descending Equi-heptatonic Circuits

A new hypothesis is advanced concerning the conception of tonal space: how the octave was divided by the composers of aulos-based music around 500 BCE. A grid of 12 semitones is not the only tonal system that supports extensive modulation. On instruments that bend pitches easily, cyclic modulation is also possible – in fact easier – on a grid that spaces keys one seventh of an octave apart. This functionally-equidistant 7-tone system is suggested by the the finger-hole boring of archaeological finds, notably the Poseidonia, Pydna and Elgin auloi.

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