tone row: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
specializedtechnical
Quick answer
What does “tone row” mean?
In music theory, a tone row is an ordered series of the twelve pitch classes of the chromatic scale, used as the structural basis for twelve-tone composition.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In music theory, a tone row is an ordered series of the twelve pitch classes of the chromatic scale, used as the structural basis for twelve-tone composition.
A fundamental concept in serialism, where the row is manipulated through techniques like transposition, inversion, and retrograde to create coherent musical works, often associated with atonal music and composers such as Arnold Schoenberg.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; the term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally technical and academic in both contexts, primarily associated with classical and contemporary music theory.
Frequency
Equally low frequency outside music academia; used sparingly in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “tone row” in a Sentence
the tone row of [piece/composition]a tone row consisting of [notes]to use a tone row in [music/work]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable; rarely used in business contexts.
Academic
Common in musicology, composition studies, and theoretical discussions of atonal music.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation; limited to those with musical training or interest.
Technical
Central to serial music analysis, composition techniques, and pedagogical materials in music theory.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tone row”
- Using 'tone row' to refer to any melodic line instead of the specific twelve-tone series; confusing it with scales or modes.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A tone row is an ordered series of all twelve chromatic pitches, used as the basis for composing twelve-tone or serial music.
Arnold Schoenberg and his school, including Alban Berg and Anton Webern, developed and popularized the tone row in the early 20th century.
Yes, tone rows are often manipulated through techniques like transposition, inversion, retrograde, and retrograde inversion to create variation while maintaining structural unity.
No, a tone row is a specific ordering for compositional purposes in atonal music, whereas a scale is a set of pitches ordered by ascending or descending frequency, often used in tonal music.
In music theory, a tone row is an ordered series of the twelve pitch classes of the chromatic scale, used as the structural basis for twelve-tone composition.
Tone row is usually technical in register.
Tone row: in British English it is pronounced /təʊn rəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /toʊn roʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a row of tones lined up in order, like a musical queue for composing without traditional harmony.
Conceptual Metaphor
A musical alphabet or code that dictates the note order for creating atonal pieces.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using a tone row?