Polycorde

In Music, the polycorde étymologiquement indicates an instrument made up of several cords - true Musical instrument or simple teaching instrument .

By extension, however, the term more generally returns to a succession of notes - ascending or downward - in a musical scale given. Concerning this second direction, one will take care of carefully distinguishing the “polycorde” from the “interval”: the polycorde indicates a together joint degrees, while the interval indicates only the distance between the extreme degrees of known as the polycorde.

For example, the four notes C, D, semi and F form a polycorde - more precisely, a tétracorde -, but the distance between C and F is an interval - more precisely, a perfect fourth.

The names allotted to principal the polycordes are the following - it will be noted that there does not exist specific terminology to indicate the polycordes higher than the octocorde.

Monocorde

The monocorde indicates, either a single sound taken in a unspecified scale - the corresponding interval is the Unisson -, or a primitive instrument made up of a case of resonance and a single cord under which slide a rest.

The monocorde as an experimental instrument remained famous since Pythagore made the demonstration that the height of the sound is inversely proportional to the length of the cord. From this experiment, Pythagore draws the following conclusions.

While placing the rest in the middle of the tended cord - therefore, by dividing this one into two -, the cord in question gives the higher octave initial sound. Besides one obtains this same note on the two sides of the rest.

In the same way, while placing the rest with the third of the cord - therefore, by dividing this one into three -, the cord in question then gives the redoubling of the higher fifth of the initial sound (in other words, “douxième the higher”). On the other side of the rest, with a length of 2/3, one obtains the higher fifth quite naturally initial sound.

And so on.

Dicorde

The dicorde - or bicorde - is a polycorde made up of two joint notes.

For example, C and D .

the interval corresponding is the second.

Tricorde

The tricorde is a polycorde made up of three joint notes.

For example, C, D and semi .

the interval corresponding is the third .

Tétracorde

The tétracorde is a polycorde made up of four joint notes.

For example, C, D, semi and F .

the interval corresponding is the quad.

The concept of tétracorde is regarded by the Greek theorists as the fundamental unit for the formation of the melody scales. In the tonal music, the tétracorde is sometimes used in a similar way to justify the theory of the generation of the diatonic ranges. One can indeed consider that a major range consists of two tétracordes identical separated by a your, each tétracorde including/understanding two let us tons consecutive and a Demi-ton diatonic.

For example, the range of major C includes/understands a tétracorde lower ( C, D, semi, F = two let us tons and a semitone) follow-up of a higher tétracorde ( ground, if, C = two let us tons and a semitone), both tétracordes being separated by a tone ( F, ground = a tone).

Pentacorde

The pentacorde is a polycorde made up of five joint notes.

For example, C, D, semi, F and ground .

the interval corresponding is the fifth.

Hexacorde

The hexacorde is a polycorde made up of six joint notes.

For example, C, D, semi, F, ground and the .

the interval corresponding is the sixth.

During the 11th century, Guido d' Arezzo has recourse, either with the tétracorde like its predecessors, but with the hexacorde, which enables him to set up the Solmisation. The solmisation is an educational system of the musical reading by relativity, which will be maintained until the end of the Moyen-âge, at the time of the birth of the counterpoint and the generalization of the carried.

Heptacorde

The heptacorde is a polycorde made up of seven joint notes.

For example, C, D, semi, F, ground, the and if .

the interval corresponding is the seventh.

Octocorde

The octocorde is a polycorde made up of eight joint notes. A heptatonic range - for example, the diatonic scale - is obviously appeared as a octocorde.

For example, C, D, semi, F, ground, if and C .

the interval corresponding is the octave.

See too

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