Semantic system: History and Key Facts

The semantic system is based on a microtonal musical scale tuned in just intonation, developed by Alain Daniélou.

For Daniélou, the subtleties of the intervals of music of oral traditions cannot be expressed using the equal temperament tuning system of 12 notes per octave, which has been the prevalent system in Western culture for around two centuries. This "artificial" musical scale was developed as a compromise, to standardise musical instruments by reducing the number of notes they could play, but it also reduced the possibilities of expression for both composers and musicians.

Daniélou draws attention to the fact that a musical culture that adopts a system of equal temperament thereby sacrifices the possibility of expressing all but the most general significations inherent in a musical language. »

After many years spent researching and leading experiments in the world of Indian modal music, Daniélou published a book entitled Sémantique Musicale in which he proposes one of the most elaborated microtonal scales of just intonation.

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