The Calculus of Finite (Metric) Dissonances
Abstract “Metric dissonance” is a term borrowed from the realm of pitch relationships, but many studies of metric dissonance draw primarily from a conception of dissonance based on the relative complexities of frequency ratios while downplaying the important syntactical aspect that dissonance plays in tonal music. This article develops existing models of metric dissonance, most notably that of Harald Krebs, by formalizing them through the calculus of finite differences, thereby introducing a methodology for quantifying metric dissonance. Such a formalization not only establishes a heuristic for comparing musical passages but also suggests an experiential model for hearing metrically dissonant music.