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All-interval tetrachord

An all-interval tetrachord is a tetrachord, a collection of four pitch classes, containing all six interval classes. There are only two possible all-interval tetrachords (to within inversion), when expressed in prime form. In set theory notation, these are [0,1,4,6] (4-Z15) and [0,1,3,7] (4-Z29). The following are examples of each all-interval tetrachord.

Their inversions are [0,2,5,6] (4-Z15b) and [0,4,6,7] (4-Z29b), respectively. The interval vector for both all-interval tetrachords is [1,1,1,1,1,1].

Table of interval classes as relating to all-interval tetrachords

In the examples below, the tetrachords [0,1,4,6] and [0,1,3,7] are built on E.

Use in modern music

The unique qualities of the all-interval tetrachord have made it very popular in 20th-century music. Composers including Frank Bridge, Elliott Carter (First String Quartet) and George Perle used it extensively.

See also

References

External links