Music Theory, Asterisk

This article explores the creation of a music theory library called 'Music Theory for Humans,' started in 2018, which aims to move beyond the default Western tonal system (1700-1900, equal temperament). The author describes how the library's architecture was designed from the start to accommodate any tuning system, treating temperament as a parameter rather than a fixed law. A breakthrough came when a friend requested Hindustani classical ragas in their actual tuning, fulfilling the library's original promise. The article uses the metaphor of an asterisk—representing both a footnote (exceptions) and a wildcard import in code (everything)—to illustrate the goal of including all musical traditions rather than just one. The library covers notes, intervals, scales, chords, functional harmony, and reharmonization, with a focus on inclusivity and flexibility.