note-row

views updated

note-row (Amer. ‘tone-row’). In 12-note mus., the order in which the composer decides to arrange the 12 notes within the octave, this order acting as the basis for the comp. (almost like a motto-theme). Strictly no note should be repeated before the row comes to an end, but the rhythm in which they are presented may be. Also, any note in the row may appear an octave higher or lower than it did originally and the whole row can be used at any higher or lower level. But successive composers have broken the rules.

More From encyclopedia.com