19-TET adds pitches between the cracks of standard 12-note tuning while keeping octaves aligned

19-tone equal temperament (19-TET) divides each octave into 19 equal steps instead of the standard 12. The octave anchor points remain identical: the notes Ableton labels “1” are the same as conventional Cs and are exactly an octave apart. All of the other pitches fall between the cracks of the 12-TET chromatic scale, giving 19-TET a different palette of intervals (some thirds and sixths land closer to just intonation than in 12-TET) and distinct harmonic relationships. For live coders, such microtonal tunings can be engaged via Scala files, MIDI pitch-bend, or tools like Scale Workshop.

Examples

In Strudel: note("c4 d4 e4") combined with a Scala file or custom MIDI tuning table enables 19-TET playback. The “1”-labelled notes map to Cs an octave apart; every other note sits between adjacent 12-TET semitones.

Assessment

How many pitches per octave does 19-TET contain, and how do its octave anchor points relate to 12-TET? Where do its non-anchor pitches fall relative to the 12-TET chromatic notes?