Tetrachords

A tetrachord consists of 4 notes spread within the span of a perfect 4th interval (5 semitones). It was first used in ancient Greek times as their smallest musical system and covered the string pitches of the early lyre.

Most 7-note scales in Western music can be divided into 2 tetrachords separated by a whole tone.
Learning to recognise tetrachords by ear is therefore most useful in learning to identify scales.

The four main tetrachords are :

NameIntervalsExampleExample
Major tetrachord tone - tone - semitone C - D - E - F G - A - B - C
Minor tetrachord tone - semitone - tone C - D - Eb - F G - A - Bb - C
Phrygian tetrachord semitone - tone - tone C - Db - Eb - F G - Ab - Bb - C
Gypsy tetrachord semitone - tone and a half - semitone C - Db - E - F G - Ab - B - C

Eartest
Identify the following tetrachords : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15

Answers



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