12-tone technique

Definition

The 12-tone technique is a method of musical composition that uses all twelve notes of the chromatic scale in a specific sequence, called a tone row, ensuring that each note is treated equally and no single note is emphasized. This approach emerged in the early 20th century, serving as a key characteristic of atonal music and reflecting the principles of Expressionism. Composers utilizing this method sought to create new structures in music, breaking away from traditional tonality and embracing more abstract forms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The 12-tone technique was developed by composer Arnold Schoenberg around 1921 as a response to the constraints of traditional tonal music.
2. Each composition using the 12-tone technique typically begins with a tone row, which can be manipulated through transposition, inversion, retrograde, and retrograde inversion.
3. This technique aims to eliminate hierarchy among pitches, promoting equality and ensuring no one note feels more important than others.
4. Composers like Alban Berg and Anton Webern were influenced by Schoenberg's 12-tone method and incorporated it into their own works, further developing the language of atonality.
5. The 12-tone technique significantly impacted modern music, leading to new forms of expression in both classical and contemporary genres.

Review Questions

• How does the 12-tone technique reflect the principles of Expressionism in music?
  • The 12-tone technique embodies Expressionism by breaking away from conventional tonality and allowing composers to explore emotional depth without the constraints of traditional harmonic structures. By using a tone row that treats all twelve pitches equally, composers can express complex emotions and ideas without being tied to a specific key. This approach aligns with Expressionism's focus on individual experience and subjective expression, making it a pivotal aspect of early 20th-century music.
• Discuss how the concept of a tone row is central to the 12-tone technique and its application in atonal compositions.
  • A tone row is crucial to the 12-tone technique as it serves as the foundational sequence from which all musical material is derived. Composers create variations on this row through techniques like transposition or inversion, leading to rich and varied textures within atonal compositions. The use of a tone row ensures that each pitch maintains equal importance, allowing for innovative harmonic relationships and emotional expression while adhering to the principles of atonality.
• Evaluate the influence of the 12-tone technique on contemporary music genres beyond classical compositions.
  • The influence of the 12-tone technique extends into various contemporary music genres, shaping experimental and avant-garde styles in ways that resonate with modern listeners. Artists across genres have embraced atonal elements and structured approaches inspired by serialism, leading to innovative soundscapes in electronic music, film scores, and jazz. This cross-pollination demonstrates how Schoenberg's ideas have transcended traditional boundaries, fostering new forms of musical expression that challenge conventional norms.

Related terms

Atonality: A musical style that avoids establishing a tonal center or key, often resulting in music that sounds dissonant and lacks the traditional sense of resolution.

Tone Row: A specific sequence of the twelve pitches in the 12-tone technique, from which all melodies and harmonies are derived throughout the composition.

Serialism: An expansion of the 12-tone technique where not only pitch but also other musical elements like dynamics and rhythm are organized in a series, creating a structured approach to composition.