10/05/04. edited 02/10/08: The Golden Spiral or Golden Mean or PHI (1.618...) is a decimal approximation* to the ratio of the Fibonacci Series expressed in Whole Numbers. In order of increasing decimal equivalent value, as shown below, the music interval equivalent oscillates between Minor and Major Sixths. As the PHI ratio decreases a musical interval of Enharmonic Sixth is approached save there is no Enharmonic Sixth in standard music and as such cannot actually be reached any more than the approximation can resolve itself.
PHI is an irrational number just as PI is irrational; i.e., a reduced ratio of two unlike entities being a straight line and a curved line. Which is to say should never be reduced because to do so is dividing apples by oranges - a straight line (diameter) is not the same as a curved line (circumference). The same principle applies to PHI whole number ratios being composed of two distinct entites; i.e., a lower quantity and a higher quantity. I admit this sounds trivial but it is not as nature does not admit to a 0.9 pregnancy. Please review Hull's Quadrature of the Circle wherein he reviews John A. Parker's original squaring of the circle by NOT dividing unlike terms such as triangles, squares, circles and components thereof such as straight and curved lines.
DECIMAL APPROXIMATION | ||
1:1 | 1 | Unison |
2:3 | 1.5 | Perfect Fifth |
5:8 | 1.6 | Minor Sixth |
13:21 | 1.61538... | Minor Sixth |
- | - | Enharmonic Sixth |
21:34 | 1.61904... | Major Sixth |
8:13 | 1.625 | Major Sixth |
3:5 | 1.6667 | Major Sixth |
1:2 | 2 | Octave |
- APPROXIMATION: something that is approximate especially a mathematical quantity that is close in value to but not the same as a desired quantity. [Merriam-Webster]
See Also
3.04 - Power Accumulation via Fibonacci-like Patterns 12.19 - Fibonacci Relationships 12.21 - Fibonacci Whole Numbers v Irrational Decimal near Equivalents Fibonacci Relationships Fibonacci Series Figure 12.12 - Russells Multiple Octave Waves as Fibonacci Spirals Golden Mean Golden Number Golden Section Interval Inverse Square Law Music PHI PI Quadrature of the Circle Square Law