Permutation. Permutate v.tr = PERMUTE. Permutation n. 1. an ordered arrangement or grouping of a set of numbers, items, etc. 2. any combination or selection of a specified number of things from a larger group. Permute v.tr alter the sequence or arrangement of (from Latin permutare ‘to change thoroughly’)
Terminology
Element – in English Change Ringing patterns the elements of a four-bell peel would be 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Group – all available permutations (also known as a peal and extent in English Change Ringing terminology). For instance, in a four-bell peal, there would be twenty-four listed permutations.
Set – a selection of objects (numbers, variables, colours, notes, durations…) in which the order of the objects is not important (neither is repetition).
Background
As a student living in Manchester, I spent a couple of years in a house in Stretford. We were quite close to the railway line and periodically the trains would go by disturbing the peace of Manchester! We also had rather a large church just the other side of the railway line. At the same time I was studying with Anthony Gilbert. I believe it was him who introduced me to the simple idea of permutating material. Since my student days, I have automated the process in MaxMSP. This allows me to assign change ringing data to any musical parameter (pitch, rhythm, micro and macro-structure, dynamics, tempo…) or video (FX, editing etc.).
Download change ringing code written in MaxMSP here
