Identity (music)
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In music, identity is similar to identity in universal algebra. An identity function is a permutation or transformation which transforms a pitch or pitch class set into itself. For instance, inverting an augmented triad or C4 interval cycle, 048, produces itself, 084. Performing a retrograde operation upon the pitch class set 01210 produces 01210.
In addition to being a property of a specific set, identity is, by extension, the "family" of sets or set forms which satisfy a possible identity.
George Perle provides the following example:
- "C-E, D-F#, Eb-G, are different instances of the same interval...[an] other kind of identity...has to do with axes of symmetry. C-E belongs to a family of symmetrically related dyads as follows:"
| D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | ||||||
| D | C# | C | B | A# | A | G# |
Thus, in addition to being part of the interval-4 family, C-E is also a part of the sum-2 family.
