Twelve-tone

Pronunciation: /ˈtwɛɫv- ˈtoʊn/

Twelve-tone (adj)

  1. A method of composing music using all twelve pitch classes in a fixed order, then repeating or transforming that order.
  2. Describing music built from a complete set of twelve different pitches, arranged so no pitch is used more often than the others.

Twelve-tone (adjective)

Examples

  • The composer used a twelve-tone music system for the whole piece.
  • Many students study a twelve-tone music system in music theory classes.