Hexachord
Six-note series in musical notation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A hexachord is a collection of six musical notes. The term derives from the Greek word Greek: ἑξάχορδος, a compound of ἕξ (hex, six) and χορδή (chordē).[1]
Usage
Since the 11th century, hexachords have been used in music pedagogy. Guido of Arezzo is the nominal creator of a learning system that relied on a six-note scale to facilitate rapid learning of melodies.[2] Hexachord also could refer to the musical interval of a sixth.[3]
In the 20th century, music theorists broadened the definition of the hexachord into any collection of six notes. The notes did not need to be contiguous members of a scale or tone row.[5][6][7] David Lewin used the term in this sense as early as 1959.[8] Carlton Gamer uses hexachord and hexad interchangeably.[9]