When the Tonal Relativity project began in 2015, squares were used to indicate whole steps and half-squares (rectangles and triangles) to indicate half-steps (in both color and pitch). The 2020 version has taken on a circular shape that reveals additional information.

All of the pieces in the 2020 incarnation began as paintings in gouache on paper at a scale of ½ inch = ½ step in both color and pitch (one octave therefore equals 6”) and later digitally altered.

Documentation of original works-in-progress can be viewed on Instagram.

While the color wheel at the top of this page can be used as a key to the color relationships, the images below can be used as keys to the patterns depicted in the sets of MODES and other sets of scales.

Dot sizes are relative, with smallest dot representing half a step, dot with twice the diameter representing a whole step, dot with 1.5 times the diameter representing a step and a half, etc.

High-resolution PDFs of the following graphics in worksheet form are freely available for download here.

ALYCE SANTORO

ALYCE SANTORO