First Advisor
Anwyn Willette
Date of Award
Spring 5-29-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music: Education and University Honors
Department
Music & Theater
Language
English
Subjects
music, composition, microtonality, voice, singing
DOI
10.15760/honors.1848
Abstract
I wrote several songs in a non-standard tuning system, 19-equal temperament. I define and distinguish 19-equal temperament and 12-equal temperament, then explore why I decided to write in this tuning system. I argue that intonation is a tool composers can implement along with more common musical devices. After describing the methods I used to create this music, I detail how I taught performers to sing it. I then describe and analyze the several works of music I created. Through the compositional process, I found tuning to be a very effective means in expressing musical and poetic ideas.
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44782
Recommended Citation
Terrell, Catherine, "The Voice as the Ultimate Microtonal Instrument" (2026). University Honors Theses. Paper 1811.
https://doi.org/10.15760/honors.1848
Included in
Composition Commons, Music Education Commons, Music Performance Commons, Music Theory Commons