Understanding Dodecaphony: A Guide to Twelve-Tone Composition

Dodecaphony (from Greek dodeka, "twelve" and phoné, "sound") is a term used in music theory to describe the use of twelve-tone technique in composition. This technique, developed by Arnold Schoenberg in the early 20th century, involves the use of all twelve notes of the chromatic scale in a specific order, rather than the traditional major and minor scales.

In dodecaphony, the twelve notes are arranged in a specific pattern, known as a "row," which serves as the basis for the composition. The row is typically repeated and varied throughout the piece, with different notes emphasized or de-emphasized to create different moods and effects.

Dodecaphony was a revolutionary development in music theory, as it rejected the traditional tonal harmony system and opened up new possibilities for musical composition. It has been used by many composers, including Schoenberg himself, as well as other notable figures such as Webern and Boulez.