Semitones & the Chromatic Scale (Noob Theory 1/10) – Pico-8 Music Tutorial #37
Added 2018-09-06 15:59:00 +0000 UTCHere’s the first tutorial in a 10-part series about music theory and composing in Pico-8!
For now, this is Patron-only content. I’m looking for feedback. What do you like? What would you improve? Are they easy to follow? Can you think of a better name than “Noob Theory!?” :)
In this tutorial you’ll learn:
- How the computer keyboard maps onto the piano keyboard
- How to input notes using the computer keyboard
- What a semitone is
- How to sequence semitones together to get the chromatic scale
- How to create a 12-tone row as the basis of a composition (the 12-tone technique)
A semitone, is the shortest distance between two notes. In Pico-8 (and most music), it’s the basic unit of measuring the relationship between pitches. When you sequence a bunch of semitones together, you get the chromatic scale.
When you re-order the 12 notes of the chromatic scale, you get a “12-tone row.” This row can form the basis of a composition. More information can be found in these Wiki links:
Attached is the cart from the tutorial video!
