The 11 Chord Cards of the Chromatic Oracle

These cards represent the complete set of 88 glyphs, organized into 11 distinct thematic chords.

Part I: The Rune Chord Cards (The Three Aetts)

The 24 Runes of the Elder Futhark are historically divided into three groups of eight, called Aetts (families). Each Aett is overseen by a specific Norse deity and carries a core theme.

Rune Chord Card 1: Freya's Aett

(Theme: Beginnings, Sustenance, and Worldly Matters)

Glyph 1: Fehu (Wealth)

Glyph 2: Uruz (Strength)

Glyph 3: Thurisaz (Thorn)

Glyph 4: Ansuz (Odin)

Glyph 5: Raido (Journey)

Glyph 6: Kenaz (Torch)

Glyph 7: Gebo (Gift)

Glyph 8: Wunjo (Joy)

Piano Keys: 1 (A0) to 8 (E1)

Rune Chord Card 2: Heimdall's Aett

(Theme: Disruption, Constraint, and Transformation)

Glyph 9: Hagalaz (Hail)

Glyph 10: Nauthiz (Need)

Glyph 11: Isa (Ice)

Glyph 12: Jera (Harvest)

Glyph 13: Eihwaz (Yew)

Glyph 14: Perthro (Mystery)

Glyph 15: Algiz (Protection)

Glyph 16: Sowilo (Sun)

Piano Keys: 9 (F1) to 16 (C2)

Rune Chord Card 3: Tyr's Aett

(Theme: Justice, Growth, and Human & Spiritual Legacy)

Glyph 17: Tiwaz (Tyr, Justice)

Glyph 18: Berkano (Growth)

Glyph 19: Ehwaz (Movement)

Glyph 20: Mannaz (Humanity)

Glyph 21: Laguz (Water)

Glyph 22: Ingwaz (Potential)

Glyph 23: Dagaz (Daybreak)

Glyph 24: Othala (Legacy)

Piano Keys: 17 (C#2) to 24 (G#2)

Part II: The I-Ching Chord Cards (The Eight Progressions)

These 8 cards group the 64 Hexagrams sequentially, following their progression in the King Wen sequence, which describes a journey from creation through challenges to completion.

I-Ching Chord Card 1 (Hexagrams 1-8)

(Theme: Primal Forces & Initial Challenges)

Glyphs: 25-32 (Hexagrams 1-8)

Piano Keys: 25 (A2) to 32 (E3)

I-Ching Chord Card 2 (Hexagrams 9-16)

(Theme: Small Actions & Harmonious Conduct)

Glyphs: 33-40 (Hexagrams 9-16)

Piano Keys: 33 (F3) to 40 (C4)

I-Ching Chord Card 3 (Hexagrams 17-24)

(Theme: Following & Returning)

Glyphs: 41-48 (Hexagrams 17-24)

Piano Keys: 41 (C#4) to 48 (G#4)

I-Ching Chord Card 4 (Hexagrams 25-32)

(Theme: Innocence & Great Power)

Glyphs: 49-56 (Hexagrams 25-32)

Piano Keys: 49 (A4) to 56 (E5)

I-Ching Chord Card 5 (Hexagrams 33-40)

(Theme: Retreat & Family)

Glyphs: 57-64 (Hexagrams 33-40)

Piano Keys: 57 (F5) to 64 (C6)

I-Ching Chord Card 6 (Hexagrams 41-48)

(Theme: Decrease, Increase & The Well)

Glyphs: 65-72 (Hexagrams 41-48)

Piano Keys: 65 (C#6) to 72 (G#6)

I-Ching Chord Card 7 (Hexagrams 49-56)

(Theme: Revolution & The Cauldron)

Glyphs: 73-80 (Hexagrams 49-56)

Piano Keys: 73 (A6) to 80 (E7)

I-Ching Chord Card 8 (Hexagrams 57-64)

(Theme: The Gentle Wind to Before Completion)

Glyphs: 81-88 (Hexagrams 57-64)

Piano Keys: 81 (F7) to 88 (C8)

sour. notes

The Sound of Sour Notes

An Interactive Exploration of Dissonance and Intonation

The Two Faces of "Sour"

The term "sour note" isn't simple. It describes two very different musical events: an unintentional mistake and a deliberate artistic choice. This distinction is key to understanding the rich complexity of music. Explore the two concepts below.

Mistake: The "Out-of-Tune" Note

This is what most people think of as a sour note—a pitch that's unintentionally sharp or flat. It's an error in performance, often caused by issues with technique, breath control, or an instrument's physical limitations. The goal for a musician is to avoid these through constant listening and practice.

• Caused by technical error or instrument setup.
• Perceived as incorrect or unpleasant.
• Corrected through ear training and physical control.

Masterpiece: Intentional Dissonance

Composers and performers often use "sour" notes on purpose. This is called dissonance—a combination of notes that creates tension, instability, or even harshness. Far from being a mistake, dissonance is a powerful tool to build emotion, create excitement, and drive the music forward to a satisfying resolution.

• A deliberate compositional choice.
• Creates tension, emotion, and interest.
• Often resolves to a stable, consonant sound.

The Science of Sound

Why do some notes sound "sweet" together while others sound "sour"? The answer lies in physics and mathematics. Our perception of harmony is tied to the frequency ratios of sound waves and the tuning systems we use to organize them. This section explores the compromise between pure, perfect intervals and the versatility needed to play in any key.

Tuning Systems: Purity vs. Practicality

Compare Interval: Perfect Fifth Major Third Minor Third The "Wolf" Interval

A Journey Through Dissonance

What sounds "sour" has changed dramatically over time. An interval considered harsh in the Middle Ages became a cornerstone of harmony centuries later. This timeline traces the evolving perception of dissonance in Western music, from strict rules to the "emancipation of the dissonance" in the 20th century. Click on the dots to learn more.

Ancient Greece & Medieval Period

Harmony based on simple ratios. Only octaves, fifths, and fourths were considered consonant. Thirds were treated as dissonant.

Renaissance & Baroque

A major shift occurs. Thirds and sixths are gradually accepted as consonant, leading to the rich harmonies we know today.

Classical & Romantic Eras

Dissonance becomes a key dramatic tool. The rule of "tension and release" governs harmony, with dissonant chords driving the music toward resolution.

20th Century & Beyond

The "Emancipation of Dissonance." Composers like Stravinsky and Schoenberg freed dissonance from the need to resolve, using it to create new sound worlds.

Click a dot on the timeline to see details here.

Global Harmonies

The Western 12-tone scale is just one way of organizing pitch. Around the world, many cultures use unique tuning systems and microtones—notes "between the notes"—that sound perfectly in-tune within their own traditions. This demonstrates that "sourness" is often a matter of cultural perspective. Click the hotspots to explore.

Amazon 1

West Africa 2

India 3

Indonesia 4

The Artist's Toolkit

Intentional dissonance is a vital tool used by artists across genres to add color, emotion, and uniqueness to their music. From the microtonal bends of a blues guitar to the clashing keys of a classical masterpiece, "sour" notes are often the most memorable. Filter the examples below to see how different artists use these techniques.

Artist/Composer	Piece/Genre	Technique	Artistic Effect