The Pattern of Sevens, also referred to as the Hexachord system, is an influential concept in the field of music theory. It was formulated by Guido of Arezzo in the 11th century, an era when music theory was still in its formative stages.
This unique system divides the octave into seven individual pitches. Each pitch corresponds to a specific note of the diatonic scale, a seven-note musical scale that is central to much of Western music. This seven-note structure is the basis of many musical compositions and forms the heart of the Pattern of Sevens.
The Pattern of Sevens is not just a theoretical concept. Instead, it has had tangible impacts on the world of music. It played a crucial role in laying the foundation for modern Western music notation. Before its establishment, music notation was far less structured and systematic. The Pattern of Sevens brought a level of organization and clarity that was previously lacking, making music easier to write, share, and perform.
Moreover, the Pattern of Sevens had a significant influence on the development of polyphony during the Middle Ages. Polyphony, a style of musical composition involving multiple independent melodic voices, was a major innovation of this period. The Pattern of Sevens, with its focus on individual pitch and note relationships, provided a theoretical basis that helped musicians and composers explore this new, complex style of music.
In summary, the Pattern of Sevens is a key element of music theory that has shaped the course of Western music. Its influence is seen in everything from the structure of musical scales to the evolution of music notation and the advent of polyphony.
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Creator of the musical score is Guido D’Arezzo
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