A Tonnetz model for pentachords

Abstract

This article deals with the construction of surfaces that are suitable for representing pentachords or 5-pitch segments that are in the same T/I class. It is a generalization of the well known Öttingen-Riemann torus for triads of neo-Riemannian theories. Two pentachords are near if they differ by a particular set of contextual inversions and the whole contextual group of inversions produces a Tiling (Tessellation) by pentagons on the surfaces. A description of the surfaces as coverings of a particular Tiling is given in the twelve-tone enharmonic scale case.