The Theisen Journal is an online periodical exploring both 1) happenings in the broader New Music community and 2) my personal creative work as composer/saxophonist/theorist.

Issues contain news, noteworthy performances, thoughts on the craft of composition, reviews, essays, analysis, interviews, listening suggestions, and more - all through a positive and fundamentally optimistic lens.

Posts tagged serialism

Issue No. 12: How To Combine Traditional Seventh Chords Into Twelve-Tone Structures

In the previous issue of The Theisen Journal, I outlined how we could combine traditional triads in ways that would complete twelve-tone aggregates. In this issue, I will explore merging two or more of the same traditional seventh chord type - fully-diminished, half-diminished, minor-minor, major-minor (dominant), and major-major seventh chords - into total chromatic structures.

Composition EssayAlan TheisenDecember 30, 2020twelve-tone, theory, combinatoriality, aggregate, harmony, serialism, chords, how to, seventh chords Comments

Issue No. 11: How To Combine Triads Into Twelve-Tone Structures

I am fascinated with how we may combine triad types (major, minor, diminished, and augmented) with non-overlapping pitch class content into total chromatic collections for aggregate harmonies or twelve-tone rows. In this issue of The Theisen Journal, I will be outlining ways we can combine triad types that exhaust the equal-tempered twelve-note aggregate.

Composition EssayAlan TheisenDecember 16, 2020triads, twelve-tone, theory, combinatoriality, aggregate, harmony, serialism, chords, how to Comment