Redividing the Octave for Expanded Tonal Spaces

This chapter represents a preliminary investigation into a formalised approach to microtonality. Through a practice-based action research approach, supported with performer collaboration, this project provides considerable insight into methods for intuitive utilisation of microtonally informed extended techniques on the Kingma System alto flute, and the consequent location of new affective potentials. This project was staged in two phases. The compositional approach implemented in phase one generated invaluable insight into personal compositional style and self-similar tendencies in melodic phrasing, leading to a significant methodological shift between phases. The second phase built on and developed the outcomes of the first facilitating reflection on the intuitive approach implemented in Étude 19.02.24 , to direct the scope and trajectory of future compositional investigations. The outcomes and implications of the compositional work detailed in this chapter provide insight into intuitive methods for microtonal melodic construction and the development of generative processes for formal organisations of affect-informed selections of paradigmatically related groups of notes, encompassed within the research project ‘Redividing the Octave for Expanded Tonal Spaces’ , supported by the AHRC through the Midlands4Cities (M4C) DTP.