Topic by Hugues Bedouelle

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Topic: "Etude of Rhythm and Harmony" (for Solo Piano)

"Etude of Rhythm and Harmony" (for Solo Piano) by Hugues Bedouelle is entirely composed in the unusual octatonic scale (C, Db, D, E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb) or (0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10) in digital writing, which is invariant by inversion (palindromic) around Eb. The 70 tetrachords that can be formed from this scale were partitioned into two progressions of 38 tetrachords each that are complementary, are related by the inversion and have only the three invariant tetrachords in common. These progressions are presented in their direct, retrograde, inverted and retrograde inverted forms. The music uses four almost maximally even rhythms of three onsets in eight pulses: [3,2,3] used in the Beijing Opera; [3,3,2] or Tresillo, from sub-Saharian Africa; [2,3,3] or Bossa Nova and [2,4,2] or Caterete both used in Brazil. The transitions between the different rhythms are marked by dynamic (nuance) variations. The score was interpreted with the K2 Grand Piano of Pianoteq in Studio Recording BA mode. The recording is available at:
https://soundcloud.com/hugues-bedouelle/36hb22

Last edited by Hugues Bedouelle (06-03-2026 11:37)

Reply by budo

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Re: "Etude of Rhythm and Harmony" (for Solo Piano)

very cool.  have not played much with this scale.  Herbie Hancock probably would like it.  actually jazz players use the term octatonic (sometimes) for what is typically called the diminished scale i.e. (0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11) or (0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10).  but this one is a new one for me. 

is there a score available?

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Reply by Pianoteqenthusiast

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Re: "Etude of Rhythm and Harmony" (for Solo Piano)

Hugues Bedouelle wrote:

"Etude of Rhythm and Harmony" (for Solo Piano) by Hugues Bedouelle is entirely composed in the unusual octatonic scale (C, Db, D, E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb) or (0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10) in digital writing, which is invariant by inversion (palindromic) around Eb. The 70 tetrachords that can be formed from this scale were partitioned into two progressions of 38 tetrachords each that are complementary, are related by the inversion and have only the three invariant tetrachords in common. These progressions are presented in their direct, retrograde, inverted and retrograde inverted forms. The music uses four almost maximally even rhythms of three onsets in eight pulses: [3,2,3] used in the Beijing Opera; [3,3,2] or Tresillo, from sub-Saharian Africa; [2,3,3] or Bossa Nova and [2,4,2] or Caterete both used in Brazil. The transitions between the different rhythms are marked by dynamic (nuance) variations. The score was interpreted with the K2 Grand Piano of Pianoteq in Studio Recording BA mode. The recording is available at:
https://soundcloud.com/hugues-bedouelle/36hb22


Wow!  Thank you Hugues Bedouelle for encouraging me to  taste and appreciate unusual chords and harmonies.
This is interesting. New ”genre”. For me.
I think I can like this as a contrast to Bach’s music and other composers. Get to broaden my musical taste again.

Best wishes,

Stig

Reply by carmelo.paolucci

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Re: "Etude of Rhythm and Harmony" (for Solo Piano)

Hugues Bedouelle wrote:

"Etude of Rhythm and Harmony" (for Solo Piano) by Hugues Bedouelle is entirely composed in the unusual octatonic scale (C, Db, D, E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb) or (0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10) in digital writing, which is invariant by inversion (palindromic) around Eb. The 70 tetrachords that can be formed from this scale were partitioned into two progressions of 38 tetrachords each that are complementary, are related by the inversion and have only the three invariant tetrachords in common. These progressions are presented in their direct, retrograde, inverted and retrograde inverted forms. The music uses four almost maximally even rhythms of three onsets in eight pulses: [3,2,3] used in the Beijing Opera; [3,3,2] or Tresillo, from sub-Saharian Africa; [2,3,3] or Bossa Nova and [2,4,2] or Caterete both used in Brazil. The transitions between the different rhythms are marked by dynamic (nuance) variations. The score was interpreted with the K2 Grand Piano of Pianoteq in Studio Recording BA mode. The recording is available at:
https://soundcloud.com/hugues-bedouelle/36hb22

Wow, Hugues,

What an intriguing and unique sound this harmonic study has...
I'm a bit new to these unique harmonies...
Interesting
Greetings from Italy
Carmelo

Reply by Hugues Bedouelle

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Re: "Etude of Rhythm and Harmony" (for Solo Piano)

Thank you for your encouraging comments. The logic of the musical language that I used to compose this and previous pieces is described in a monograph that I recently published, is entitled "A post tonal method of music composition", and is freely available at https://hal.science/hal-05425426v1. @budo: I am preparing an edition of my scores with their harmonic and structural analyses and shall let you know when it will be available. @Pianoteqenthusiast: Since you make reference to Bach, you may be interested in my composition "The Twins (Two-Part Invention)", available on my SoundCloud site. Hugues

Reply by Pianoteqenthusiast

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Re: "Etude of Rhythm and Harmony" (for Solo Piano)

Hugues Bedouelle wrote:

Thank you for your encouraging comments. The logic of the musical language that I used to compose this and previous pieces is described in a monograph that I recently published, is entitled "A post tonal method of music composition", and is freely available at https://hal.science/hal-05425426v1. @budo: I am preparing an edition of my scores with their harmonic and structural analyses and shall let you know when it will be available. @Pianoteqenthusiast: Since you make reference to Bach, you may be interested in my composition "The Twins (Two-Part Invention)", available on my SoundCloud site. Hugues


At: "Since you make reference to Bach, you may be interested in my composition "The Twins (Two-Part Invention)", available on my SoundCloud site"

Thank you Hugues for your link to The Twins.
It was easier to understand and enjoy than Etude of rhythm. Because of your explanation…..”The piece is built around a call by one of the two voices and an answer by the other one, (Bach) and thus around a dialog between them…………..”

Wow, A first step into this genre. Thank you!

Best wishes,

Stig