← archive index · live page · raw markdown

Bending The Fabric Of Scales with Levi McClain (31-Note Microtonalist)

Metadata

title
Bending The Fabric Of Scales with Levi McClain (31-Note Microtonalist)
description
This one goes to eleven… NO this one goes to 31! Levi’s all-in on expanding our musical palette. We talked about what colors and emotions are available in microtonality, how to get into the wild world, and the frontiers of music theory. Sometimes it feels like everything in music has been “figured out.” Levi’s here to tell us that couldn’t be further from the truth!
status
complete
date
2025-11-04
kind
guest
guestSlugs
  • levi-mcclain
listenUrl
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Bending-The-Fabric-Of-Scales-with-Levi-McClain-31-Note-Microtonalist-e3acc80
lmwUrl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPVdR2yT8qY
appleUrl
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bending-the-fabric-of-scales-with-levi-mcclain/id1567355195?i=1000735178648&uo=4
spotifyUrl
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1AhgTdEHXhwGHorb7ZHfUW
youtubeUrl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Pm8rC-dX0
topicsDiscussed
  • Microtonal music
  • AI
  • Music theory
  • Creativity
  • Microtonal harmony
  • Expanding musical palettes
  • The relationship between notes
  • Cultural perspectives on tuning
  • Practical applications in music
hostNote
In this episode of **Love Music More**, we're thrilled to welcome **Levi McClain**, a pioneering voice in the realm of microtonal music. Levi takes us on an enlightening journey through the intricacies of microtonality and its emotional landscapes. As a musician and educator, he has dedicated himself to expanding our auditory palettes beyond the traditional 12-tone system, revealing how much remains uncharted in the world of sound. Levi breaks down these complex ideas into relatable concepts, emphasizing that music is not merely a collection of notes but an expansive realm where beauty and emotion intertwine. We’re excited for you to
selectedMoments
  • label
    Introduction to Levi and Microtonal Harmony
    startSec
    152
    note
    Levi introduces his YouTube channel and his passion for microtonal harmony, explaining what it means to divide an octave into 31 notes.
  • label
    Microtonality in Western Music
    startSec
    231
    note
    Levi discusses how microtones aren't just present in non-Western music traditions, but also in Western music, particularly through techniques like bending notes.
  • label
    The Science of Octaves
    startSec
    392
    note
    Levi explains octaves scientifically, discussing how frequency relationships contribute to our perception of notes.
  • label
    Ancient Greek Music Theory
    startSec
    646
    note
    Discussion about how historical perspectives, particularly from the Greeks, inform our understanding of music and theory today.
  • label
    Microtonality’s Practical Implementation
    startSec
    2760
    note
    Levi talks about practical ways to implement microtonality in composition, emphasizing instruments that allow for micro-tuning.
  • label
    Exploring AI in Music
    startSec
    1152
    note
    Levi shares his thoughts on the ethics of AI in music creation and how it can be both a useful tool and a controversial subject.
excerptQuotes
  • text
    What happens if we instead of dividing an octave into 12 equally distant notes, what happens if we divide them into 31 equally distant notes?
    startSec
    153
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    Microtones can create a lot of beauty and richness in music, especially when you think about how we can express ourselves in different ways through those intervals.
    startSec
    468
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    A beautiful way to think about music is to see it as an exploration, not just a technical practice.
    startSec
    791
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    There's this idea that the best music is the music that's mathematically perfect; that's not necessarily the case all the time.
    startSec
    812
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    If you can treat tuning as a tool rather than a limitation, it opens up so many more possibilities for expression in your music.
    startSec
    2767
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    Essentially, music and art are interconnected; they reflect on each other and can be understood through a comprehensive lens of experience.
    startSec
    3405
    reviewed
    true
faq
  • question
    Who is Levi McClain?
    answer
    Levi McClain is a musician and educator known for his expertise in microtonal harmony and music theory, particularly through his YouTube channel.
  • question
    What is microtonality?
    answer
    Microtonality refers to intervals smaller than the traditional semitone, allowing for a broader emotional palette and richer harmonic possibilities.
  • question
    How can I implement microtonality in my music?
    answer
    You can implement microtonality by using fretless instruments, digital audio workstations (DAWs) that support microtuning, and by learning to work with various tuning systems like Scala.
transcriptPublished
false
draft
false

Content

No body content; see metadata above.