Advertisement
Advertisement
twelve-tone
[ twelv-tohn ]
adjective
, Music.
- based on or incorporating the twelve-tone technique:
twelve-tone music.
- using or advocating the twelve-tone technique:
a twelve-tone composer.
twelve-tone
adjective
- See serialismof, relating to, or denoting the type of serial music invented and developed by Arnold Schoenberg, which uses as musical material a tone row formed by the 12 semitones of the chromatic scale, together with its inverted and retrograde versions. The technique has been applied in various ways by different composers and usually results in music in which there are few, if any, tonal centres See serialism
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of twelve-tone1
First recorded in 1935–40
Advertisement
Word of the Day
[flab-er-gast ]
Meaning and examplesStart each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse