Music Theory Set Theory Quiz

Questions and Answers

What does 'pitch class' refer to?

A group of pitch classes for composition

A group of pitches

All pitches that sound exactly one octave or more apart (correct)

A stable center pitch

What is a collection in music theory?

A group of pitch classes that serves as a source of musical materials for a composition or part of a composition.

What is a centric pitch?

A pitch creating a stable center with other pitches relating to it on some hierarchical level.

What does the term 'set' mean in music theory?

A collection of pitch classes Signup and view all the answers

The pitches in a set are called its ______.

elements Signup and view all the answers

If only some pitch classes are being emphasized in music, it can be referred to as a ______.

subset Signup and view all the answers

What is atonal music?

Music that does not establish a tonic or tonal hierarchy. Signup and view all the answers

Schonberg preferred the term ______ over atonal.

pantonal Signup and view all the answers

What is a center in centric pitch music?

A pitch or pitch class that appears pervasively in a work and establishes a sense of hierarchy. Signup and view all the answers

What are focal pitches?

Pitches that are emphasized through repetition or motivic use but do not establish a functional hierarchy. Signup and view all the answers

What is cardinality in music theory?

A way to refer to a group of pitches by specifying its number of elements. Signup and view all the answers

What does a 2-element set refer to?

Dyad Signup and view all the answers

What is a tetrachord?

4 elements Signup and view all the answers

What does a hexachord consist of?

6 elements Signup and view all the answers

What is a nonachord?

9 elements Signup and view all the answers

What are mixed modes?

Combining a distinctive portion of one diatonic mode with another. Signup and view all the answers

If you combine modes simultaneously, you call it ______.

bimodal or polymodal Signup and view all the answers

What is the minor pentatonic scale?

1-b3-4-5-b7 Signup and view all the answers

Define stratification in music.

Examining different layers of data/strata in certain kinds of music. Signup and view all the answers

What is the major pentatonic scale?

1-2-3-5-6 Signup and view all the answers

What are literal complements in music?

Using the pentatonic scale of all 'black notes' and the C major scale of all 'white notes'. Signup and view all the answers

What is integer notation?

Changing pitch classes to numbers using C (pitch 0) as the starting reference pitch. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a scale is symmetrical?

If a scale or set is palindromic (same forwards or backwards). Signup and view all the answers

What are octatonic scales?

Scales consisting of 8 pitch classes that alternate whole and half steps. Signup and view all the answers

What is a pitch-class interval?

A representation of all generic transposition intervals by a single integer. Signup and view all the answers

What is an interval class?

Examining the different intervals found in a particular set within a piece of music. Signup and view all the answers

What is an interval-class vector?

Listing all the different possible intervals found within a set and counting them. Signup and view all the answers

What are equivalent sets in music?

Sets using either transposition or inversion. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Music Theory Concepts

Pitch Class (pc): Represents all pitches that are one octave or more apart, including enharmonic equivalents (e.g., C4, C6, B#).
Collection: A group of pitch classes that serves as a foundation for musical materials in a composition.
Centric Pitch: A pitch that establishes a stable center, with other pitches hierarchically related to it.
Set: Synonymous with collection; refers to a group of pitches or pitch classes.
Elements: The individual pitches that comprise a set.
Subset: A section of music that emphasizes only some of the pitch classes.
Atonal Music: Music without a tonic or tonal hierarchy; also referred to as nontonal or post-tonal.
Pantonal: Term preferred by Schönberg over atonal, indicating the inclusion of all tonalities.
Center: A pervasive pitch or pc in a work that establishes a sense of hierarchy.
Focal Pitches: Pitches highlighted through repetition or motivic use, lacking a functional hierarchy.

Cardinality of Pitches

Cardinality: Describes the number of elements in a group of pitches using specific terminology.
Dyad: A set of 2 elements (interval).
Tetrachord: A set of 4 elements.
Hexachord: A collection containing 6 elements.
Octachord/Octad: Refers to a group of 8 elements.
Trichord: A set composed of 3 elements.
Pentachord: A group of 5 elements.
Heptachord/Heptad: Consists of 7 elements.
Nonachord/Nonad: Contains 9 elements.

Mixed Modes: Combining portions of different diatonic modes (e.g., Lydian-Mixolydian mode).
Bimodal/Polymodal: Refers to the combination of modes simultaneously, such as one in each hand of a performance.
Minor Pentatonic Scale: Characterized by intervals 1-b3-4-5-b7.
Major Pentatonic Scale: Comprises intervals 1-2-3-5-6.
Literal Complements: Utilizing pentatonic scales of "black notes" with C major scale "white notes."

Analytical Techniques

Integer Notation: Transforms pitch classes to numerical values starting with C as pitch 0.
Symmetrical Sets: Scales or sets that are palindromic, such as the Dorian mode and Octatonic scales.
Octatonic Scales: Composed of 8 pitch classes alternating between whole and half steps.
Pitch-Class Interval: Represents all generic transposition intervals using a single integer.
Interval Class: An examination of various intervals within a specific set in a composition.
Interval-Class Vector (ic vector): A list detailing all different intervals found within a set or chord, recording the total per class.
Equivalent Sets: Sets generated through transposition or inversion are classified as equivalent.

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Description

Test your knowledge of music theory concepts with this set theory quiz. Each flashcard covers important terms such as pitch class, collection, and centric pitch. Perfect for musicians and students looking to deepen their understanding of musical materials.