nf [inputfile ...] [> outputfile.nf]
**semits), pitch-class (
**pc), prime form (
**pf), interval-class vector (
**iv), or Fortean set name (
"Normal form" is a standardized way of representing the pitch material for any arbitrary set of pitches. Normal form provides the most intervallically compact spelling of the pitch-classes evident in a given sonority. It is analogous to rearranging notes in a chord so that the spelling is in root position, close position, with duplicate pitch-classes eliminated. By way of example, a D major chord (in any inversion, with any spelling) will have the normal form: 2,6,9 -- namely, the pitch-classes D, F#, A (as opposed to 6,9,2 or 2,9,6). See REFERENCES below.
When provided with
treats each input record as a set of pitches.
Unisons and other pitch-class duplications have no effect on the output.
Rests within a set of pitches are ignored;
where an input record consists solely of one or more
rests, a null-token is output.
command is able to translate any of the representations listed below.
For descriptions of the various input representations
**nf) refer to Section 2
of this reference manual.
It is recommended that output files produced using the nf command should be given names with the distinguishing `.nf' extension.
interval-class vector representation
normal form representation
Fortean pitch-class set name
prime form representation
equal-tempered semitones with respect to middle C=0 (e.g. 12 = C5)
Options are specified in the command line.
-h displays a help screen summarizing the command syntax
opus24. The input may be pitches, pitch-classes, Fortean set names, etc.
nf opus24 > opus24.nf
John Rahn, Basic Atonal Theory. New York: Longman Inc., 1980.
Straus, J. Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1990.