Octaves and Enharmonic Equivalents on Set Theory : Basic Concepts

Abstract

In early twentieth-century, western music tonality began to breakdown. Many composers attempt to explore a new composing method by avoiding composing within the boundary of tonal music. Therefore, many composers endeavored to construct a new system for organizing their pitches. Consequently, an analysis by using common practice method also cannot explain the relationship of pitches especially free-atonal music works. Theorists of twentieth-century music, however, came up with new ideas of analysis methods in order to explicate contemporary music. Certainly, set theory is a method of musical analysis which appropriately describes composition of atonal music. Furthermore, some basic concepts of set theory are different from traditional function. There are two basic concepts-octaves and enharmonic equivalents-that are fundamental principles of pith organization.