Fractal Music


Structural Scaling

Reel One
Many songs across multiple genres are based on a structure in which a first section, A, is repeated and then followed by a B section that is harmonically or rhythmically different from the A section. These three sections are followed by a final A section.

A A B A

This AABA template can be used as the generator for a Cantor set. Here is a map of this song showing its three levels of scaling.

Each of the small blue blocks represents one measure (4 beats) of music. The green and red blocks represent 4 and 16 measures, respectively.

All measures of the same color contain exactly the same, ordered set of notes. Each gray block of any size contains a set of notes that is different from the colored set to its right and left.

"Reel One"

Return to Structural Scaling.

© 2004 Harlan Brothers