Atonal Test

Question 1

Octave Equivalence

Answer 1

Pitches separated by one or more 8ves are perceived as being the same

Question 2

Enharmonic Equivalence

Answer 2

Enharmonic pitches function equally

Question 3

Pitch

Answer 3

A tone with a certain frequency

Question 4

Pitch Class

Answer 4

A group of pitches with the same name

Question 5

Mod 12

Answer 5

Since every pitch belongs to 12 pitch classes, going up or down an 8ve we produce a member of the same pitch class

Question 6

Pitch Intervals

Answer 6

Distance between two pitches measured by the number of half steps between them

Question 7

Ordered Pitch Interval (OPI)

Answer 7

distance between intervals using + or - indicating ascending or descending

Question 8

Unordered Pitch Interval (UPI)

Answer 8

the number of half steps between pitches (no + or -)

Question 9

Ordered Pitch Class Interval (OPCI)

Answer 9

the distance between any two pitch classes.
Formula: y-x=OPCI
(avoid negative numbers by Mod12ing them)

Question 10

Unordered Pitch Class Interval (UPCI)

Answer 10

any pitch class to any pitch class regardless of ascending or descending order (same as OPCI, but only numbers 6 or less)

Question 11

Interval Class Vector (ICV)

Answer 11

6 member tally of the number of occurrences of each interval class found in a set (a group of notes)
uses <>

Question 12

Pitch Class Sets

Answer 12

unordered collection of pitch classes

Question 13

Normal Form

Answer 13

a pitch class set in its most simple, compact and easily grasped form
1. Find the numbered pitch class set in the music
2. Write pitch class in ascending order w/in an 8ve
3. Find all possible orderings w/in an 8ve
4. Subtract first # from last # (Mod12 if necessary)
5. Choose smallest stack (if tie, compare first and second-to-last number)

Question 14

Serialism

Answer 14

an ordered set, usually pitches, as an organizing principle in a musical work

Question 15

4 tenants of the 12 tone row method

Answer 15

1. 12 tone row is basis of composition
2. no pitch class in given statement of row is sounded out of order
3. no pitch class repeated (except immediate repetition) until all members have sounded
4. 8ve doubling avoided

Question 16

Versatility is added by…

Answer 16

1. any pitch class may appear in any 8ve
2. row can be used in any or all of 4 basic forms; prime (original order), retrograde (reverse), inversion (mirror form), retrograde inversion (reverse mirrored)
3. any of 4 basic rows available in 12 transpositions
4. pitches can be in any duration and any rhythmic value
5. one or more forms of the row may be used at the same time

Question 17

Constructing a 12 tone matrix

Answer 17

1. double first number
2. subtract row numbers beginning w/second number
3. locate the number 1 less than the starting number and subtract 1 from all members of the row

Question 18

Transposing a set of pitch classes

Answer 18

preserves neither order nor contour; does preserve the interval class content

Question 19

How to transpose Pitch Class Sets

Answer 19

1. put set in normal form
2. add a single pitch class interval to each number of set

Question 20

Inversion of Pitch Class Sets

Answer 20

these are intervals arranged in reverse order, but retain interval class vector
1. put set in normal form
2. invert each member using TnI (intert, THEN transpose)

Question 21

Set Class

Answer 21

a collection of pitch class sets in normal form

Question 22

Forte Name

Answer 22

first number gives number of pitch class in the set, second number gives position on the fortes list

Question 23

Prime Form

Answer 23

Most normal set in set class; begins w/0 and is most compact
1. normal form
2. transpose to 0
3. invert OG set
4. repeat steps 1 and 2
5. compare; most compact is prime