Microtones in Pop (digest 1344 topic 6)

You wrote (in TUNING Digest 1344, Topic 6):
>
>Date: Thu, 5 Mar 1998 08:18:22 -0500 (EST)
>From: Johnny Reinhard
>Subject: Re: Microtones in Pop
>
>...
>
>BTW, Sting's Roxanne has a very clear descending 11/8 on the chorus for
>the word: Roxanne.

I'll definitely listen more closely the next time I hear the tune. When I
recall it by ear, I get a descending 4/3 (i.e., a 3/4), but he "strains" the
first note. Of course my ears have been ruined by 12tET like everyone elses.

For purpose of discussion ("moveable Do", whatever), say the tune is in A minor:

Lyrics: Rox - anne, - You don't have to put ...
Notes: D A G A A G A ...
Chord: (Am) Dm Dm Dm Dm G G G G Am ...

(I hope email browsers don't totally hose the spacing above.)

For the D, I'd say
He's using the subdominant of A,
Four thirds away.
("I'm a poet and don't know-it".) (Sorry) :(

However, if he IS using 11/8 for the D, perhaps he's also using 7/8 for the
G, so that the whole line is on harmonics of A:

Notes: D A, G A A G A A G A E
Harmonics: 11 8, 7 8 8 7 8 8 7 8 6

I guess I gotta buy the CD now. (Does that mean a CD is now a "6/5, 11/8"?) :[

--Mark
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