Major Tetrachords

Major Tetrachords

Rules of Construction

Tetra

Tetra means 4, there are 4 notes in a tetrachord

Diatonic

The notes are diatonic, meaning each note is a different letter name.

Diatonic

• Do not repeat a letter name

• Do not skip a letter name

• Must be alphabetical order

Interval Pattern

The four notes create 3 intervals. The interval patterns are Whole step, whole step, half step.

Or W, W, H

Constructing

1) Always add the accidental to the note on the right to help create the interval.

2) D to E is a natural whole step

3) E to F is a natural Half step, but we need a whole step

4) Add a sharp to the F to create a whole step between E and F

Do Not Mix Accidentals

A tetrachord can only appear 1 of three ways.

1) no accidentals

2) only includes sharps

3) only includes flats