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Downminor Nocturne:

"Downminor Nocturne" is a piece for two Kite guitars, part of Untwelve's Edition Zalzal.
Performed by Kyle Smith (lead) and Brandon Azbill (backing).
Download the track here: DownminorNocturne.mp3 (192kbps).
Tuning: 41-equal temperament, tonic is A+2¢
Published under the Creative Commons license CC BY-SA 4.0


The downminor nocturne was written for 41-edo Kite guitar, but is essentially in 7-limit just intonation. It starts off using the septimal minor scale plus a diminished 5th, which is 1/1 9/8 7/6 4/3 7/5 3/2 14/9 7/4 2/1. The opening riff features the very narrow 28/27 subminor 2nd and the harsh 14:18:21 chord for a mournful sound. Later prime 5 is added, making a warmer sound.

The score is available in three notations: ups and downs, colorspeak and HEJI. Furthermore the tablature is available in both standard and KDF fret numbering. The ups and downs and colorspeak scores include chord names and chord diagrams. The colorspeak and HEJI notations assume 7-limit JI not 41edo. This allows for non-41-equal performances. For example, to play this piece on a 31-equal guitar, ignore the pental (yo/gu) accidentals. For 22-equal, ignore the septimal (zo/ru) accidentals.

Playing notes:
The tempo needn't be rigid. It can start slow-ish, build a bit, then taper off.
The backing part can work as a solo guitar piece. If so, there should be more variations in tempo and dynamics. It can be called Downminor Etude.
The melody can be played in different registers. The first note can either be a unison with the backing part's C or else an octave higher.
The harmonics at the end are optional.
The solo is deliberately underspecified. Ornamentation is essential. Ideally everyone would play it differently. To get some idea of the possibilities, several alternate recordings are available below.


SCORES:
Downminor Nocturne (official Untwelve score, HEJI)
Downminor Nocturne in ups and downs
Downminor Nocturne in ups and downs (KDF)
Downminor Nocturne in colors
Downminor Nocturne in colors (KDF)
Downminor Nocturne in HEJI


ALTERNATE RECORDINGS:
midi demo #1
midi demo #2
violin version by Timmy Barnett



ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS:
Orhestral arrangement by Praveen Venkataramana (midi demo) (musescore file)
Orhestral arrangement in 159edo by Dawson Berry
(part of the "Cover My Song - 2023 xen" project on the Xenharmonic Discord)


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