Twelve-tone technique
The twelve-tone technique is a method of composition developed by Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg in the early 20th century. It arranges the twelve pitches of the chromatic scale in a specific sequence, called a "tone row." This row serves as the foundation for a piece, ensuring that all notes are treated equally and avoiding traditional tonal hierarchies. Composers can manipulate the row by inversion, retrograde, or transposition, creating a structured yet atonal musical language. This technique aims to diversify musical expression and challenge traditional conventions of harmony and melody.
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Twelve-tone technique is a method of composing music using all twelve notes of the Western chromatic scale in a specific order, called a "tone row." Developed by composer Arnold Schoenberg in the early 20th century, this approach ensures that no single note is emphasized over others, creating a sense of equality among notes. Composers can manipulate the tone row through variations such as inversion (flipping the row), retrograde (playing it backwards), and transposition (shifting it to different pitches). This technique fosters innovation and complexity in music, moving away from traditional tonal systems.