tetrachord

[ te-truh-kawrd ]

noun

, Music.

1. a diatonic series of four tones, the first and last separated by a perfect fourth.

tetrachord

/ ˈtɛtrəˌkɔːd /

noun

1. (in musical theory, esp of classical Greece) any of several groups of four notes in descending order, in which the first and last notes form a perfect fourth

Derived Forms

• ˌtetraˈchordal, adjective

Other Words From

• tetra·chordal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetrachord¹

First recorded in 1595–1605, tetrachord is from the Greek word tetráchordos having four strings. See tetra-, chord ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetrachord¹

C17: from Greek tetrakhordos four-stringed, from tetra- + khordē a string

Example Sentences

Within each tetrachord the intervals depend upon the Genus (genos).

From Project Gutenberg

That is to say, the tetrachord b c d e is not written , but : and d  e♭ f g is not , but .

From Project Gutenberg

In ancient language, the tetrachord Synmmenn (a-b♭-c-d) takes the place of the tetrachord Diezeugmenn.

From Project Gutenberg

In practice it appears that musicians tuned the tetrachord b-e of this scale with the Pythagorean two Major tones and leimma.

From Project Gutenberg

In this case, as the pyknon forms the lower part of a tetrachord, there are two possibilities.

From Project Gutenberg