Quartal Chords


three and four note quartal chords for guitar


Here is the complete set of practical, accessible and (on good days) playable three and four note quartal chords for guitar.

Criteria
1. Only three and four note chords derived from sequences of perfect fourths - and their inversions - are considered here.
2. Only those chords which are possible on the guitar are considered.
3. While some of the inversions are very challenging, chords with extremely large stretches are not presented (i.e.: not playable by me).
4. Intervals greater than an octave between adjacent notes occur only from the lowest note. Other voicings are not listed.

Arrangement
Each set of three note permutations are divided into four groups a minor third apart - there are a total of three sets.
Each set of four note permutations are divided into three groups a major third apart - there are a total of four sets.

For example, the three note quartal chords:
4(mutually exclusive chords) X 3(number of notes per chord) = 12 tones
4(mutually exclusive chords) X 3(sets) = 12 mutually exclusive chords

Three note quartal chords

page 1
page 2
page 3

download PDF file here

Four note quartal chords

page 1, 2, 3
page 4, 5, 6
page 7, 8, 9
page 10, 11, 12

download PDF file here

The 12-Tone-Row Game
three note quartal version

Objectives:
1. A fun way to create 12 tone rows employing elements of quartal harmonies which gradually progress through familiar tonal areas.



Rules:
1. The player may start on any "4th" chord outlined on the graph above.
2. Choose any of the 4th chord permutations within that 4th chord group.
3. The player will then write down the three notes of the chord - arpeggiated as desired.
4. Chromas (notes of the same letter name) outside of the chord "shell" are permitted as are transposition of the entire chord to another octave.
5. Proceed in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to the adjacent 4th chord and repeat the process above.
6. Continue this process until all four chords have been completed.
7. Infuse rhythms, stir in harmonies, salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy your new 12 tone-row while it is still fresh.

Strategies:
1. In general, avoid frequent large leaps.
2. Strive for traditional melodic shapes (e.g.: smaller intervals at the beginning of the line, larger leaps toward the end; highest and/or lowest pitches toward the end of the line)
3. As per the "rules" of the game, by selecting chords from adjacent pools the player will, in effect, be selecting notes which overlap familiar tonal areas.
ex: F#4 + A4 = E - F# - G - A - B - D - E (E minor hexatonic)
4. This game may be played using either of the two other 4th chord sets.

Posted: Mon - November 3, 2008 at 08:20 AM          

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