Pitch Multiplication (2017)
2 days ago
- #Pierre Boulez
- #pitch multiplication
- #music theory
- Pitch multiplication is a technique invented by Pierre Boulez for creating variations of pitch class sets beyond integral serialism.
- The process involves multiplying two pitch class sets to generate a superset, which can be used in various musical contexts.
- Key terms include multiplicand, multiplier, product, normal form, initially ordered pc set, and ordered pitch-class interval structure (OIS).
- Boulez used pitch multiplication to create interrelated supersets from limited pitch material, allowing for extensive variation.
- Early examples of pitch multiplication can be found in Nicholas Slonimsky's 'Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns'.
- The Cartesian product method is a straightforward approach to pitch multiplication, involving summing pairs of pitch classes modulo 12.
- Different ordering of the multiplicand can yield varied results, demonstrating the flexibility of the technique.
- Pitch multiplication can be applied to both atonal and consonant pitch collections, offering endless compositional possibilities.