Set Theory

This lesson is part of the Harmony category.

Objectives

• Students will become familiar with the use and applications of set theory.

Resources

Readings

• Hutchinson, Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom
  • Chapter 33: Set Theory
• Shaffer, Wharton (eds.), Open Music Theory
  • Set Theory:
    • Basics: 1, 2, 3
    • Organizing Forces: 1, 2
    • Set Theory: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
• Lavengood: Set Theory Quick Reference Sheet
• Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People:
  • "Set Theory"
  • "Set Theory Terminology"
• Kelley, Introduction to Post-Tonal Music Analysis:
  • "The Basics of Atonal Theory"

Class Activities

• Discussion of set theory, including finding normal and prime form
• Harmonic set analysis of a piece of music
• Composition and improvisation using various chords which share the same prime form

Assignments

• Guided set analysis of a musical excerpt

Files

• Ito: Pitch Class Set Theory Assignments
• Set Theory Summary and Worksheet (Word | Pages | PDF)