Microtonal music has a fascinating history that stretches across many cultures and centuries. From its roots in medieval compositions through Middle Eastern melodic frameworks to today’s modern psychedelic and experimental rock bands, microtonality has been a fixture in the landscape of music since the very beginning.
The microtonal guitar is a way for guitarists of all genres and skill levels to gain access to this ancient and almost mystical realm of music making. With its unique ability to produce notes beyond the standard 12-tone scale, this instrument invites guitarists to explore new tonal possibilities and create music that challenges and expands conventional soundscapes. Join us as we delve deep into the microtonal guitar to explore how it works, who’s using them, and how you can start experimenting with one today.
What is a Microtonal Guitar?
At first glance, the microtonal guitar looks a lot like a traditional guitar, but when you take a closer look, you’ll see a world of difference. With custom frets and adjustable fretboards, the microtonal guitar is designed to play intervals smaller than the standard semitone, notes simply not possible on your average guitar. Instead you’ll be playing a guitar with considerably more frets, spaced much closer together, allowing access to pitches and harmonic textures not available in standard tuning systems. Strings can be tuned to the desired microtine and luthiers can add extra frets or reposition existing ones to accommodate microtonal scales, giving you even more variety and opportunity for experimentation. While it might look like a regular guitar, it certainly doesn’t sound like one.
The Theory of Microtonal Music
In Western music, the octave is divided into 12 equal parts, creating the familiar chromatic scale. Microtonal music, however, divides the octave into more intervals, such as 24 (quarter tones), 31, or even more. By stepping outside the rigid framework of 12-tone tuning, microtonal guitars enable musicians to explore scales and melodies found in non-Western traditions such as classical Turkish music and Persian folk music, as well as medieval and Baroque music of antiquity. For modern guitarists, this system can unlock scales and melodic patterns that feel otherworldly, bringing entirely new emotional and harmonic possibilities to their compositions.
Microtonal Innovators and Guitarists
While the microtonal guitar is not a prominent fixture in mainstream music, there are still a number of musicians and innovators who are bringing microtonal music to the masses. The first is Tolgahan Çoğulu. A pioneer of microtonal guitar, Çoğulu developed the adjustable microtonal guitar, allowing players to rearrange frets for different scales.
Guthrie Govan is a guitarist known for his technical prowess and experimental flair. Govan frequently experiments with microtonal music, demonstrating its expressive potential for advanced players.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are an Australian indie rock band that have been making big waves in the last few years. The two guitarists and bassist integrate microtonal guitars into their psychedelic rock sound, showcasing how these instruments can enhance and expand modern genres to incredible new heights.
And as it turns out, you may be more familiar with microtonal music than you originally thought. While not exclusively microtonal, the renowned experimental rock band Radiohead, especially guitarist and arranger Jonny Greenwood, has dabbled in microtonal textures. Songs like "Pyramid Song" feature harmonic structures that utilize alternative tuning systems, especially within their string arrangements. The hard rock band Tool, electronic pioneer Aphex Twin, and indie darlings The Mars Volta have also included microtonal sounds and textures into their music palettes.
Tips for Exploring the Microtonal Guitar
If you’re looking to get your feet wet in the world of microtonal music and guitars, we have a few suggestions that will hopefully lead you towards making some new and magical sounds.
First, we suggest taking it slow. Start with a guitar that uses quarter tones to get accustomed to the intricate concepts of microtonal music. Learning a handful of scales and chord patterns is the best way to begin your journey of experimentation and exploration.
We also suggest exploring the traditional music from cultures that use microtonal scales and structures, such as Persian and Turkish folk music, Middle Eastern maqams or Indian ragas. Listen to curated playlists, watch informational and performative videos, find online forums, and even find musicians from different cultural backgrounds or genres to collaborate with. A glimpse into world music can provide a deeper understanding and familiarity with microtones and lead to immediate bursts of inspiration. Along with established labels like Folkways and Nonesuch that have been exploring traditional music around the world since the 1950s and '60s, newer indie labels like Sublime Frequencies (founded by guitarist Alan Bishop of experimental 1980s indie rockers Sun City Girls) and Peter Gabriel's Real World have released some fascinating albums.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to embrace imperfection. Playing the microtonal guitar requires precise control and dedicated practice through a steep learning curve. We say, lean into the mistakes instead of fearing them. After all, improvisation often leads to new discoveries.
What’s Next for the Microtonal Guitar?
Music, technology, and the art of guitar design are constantly evolving. As modern music innovations and creative luthier techniques continue to reach new heights, the accessibility and popularity of the microtonal guitar will continue to climb as well. For guitarists looking to expand their sonic horizons, delve into ancient structures and scales, and break free from the constraints of standard tunings, the music world is waiting for the next batch of players to step up and deliver new and exciting microtonal music. Embrace the microtonal guitar and unlock a new dimension of creativity and sound.
●●●Written by Jesse Stanford, Company Cue
