Dodecaphony Lab

What is Dodecaphony Lab? Dodecaphony Lab is an interactive tool for exploring twelve-tone serialism (dodecaphony) — Arnold Schoenberg's composition technique where a fixed ordering of all 12 pitch classes (a "row") generates an entire piece through transposition, inversion, and retrograde.

How do I draw a tone row? In the Row tab, tap the twelve-tone clock face in the order you want — the first tap is note 1, the twelfth completes your row. You can also start from a preset or randomize.

What is the Matrix? The Matrix tab lays out all 48 forms of your row (Prime, Inversion, Retrograde, Retrograde Inversion at every transposition) in the classic 12×12 grid. Tap any row or column header to hear that form.

What does "combinatorial" mean, and how does the app find it? A row form is hexachordally combinatorial with your original row when the first six notes of that form match, as a set, one of your row's own hexachords. The app checks all 12 transpositions of Inversion and Retrograde-Inversion automatically and highlights any matches in the Matrix.

What is Composer? Composer is the multi-voice sequencer: layer several row forms as simultaneous voices, like imitative counterpoint, and arrange them into a piece by hand or with Auto-Compose.

What does Auto-Compose do? It generates a starting sequence from your row automatically. You control voice count, length, and a "Variety" amount, plus an instrumentation pack. You can also pick a named Compositional Style (Expressionist, Pointillist, Lyrical Serial, or Integral Serial), each modeling a distinct early-20th-century twelve-tone idiom with its own instrumentation and rhythmic character — see the Learn tab for the historical background behind each one.

Can I export what I make? Yes — export any sequence as a Standard MIDI File or as MusicXML (to continue working in notation software like MuseScore, Sibelius, or Finale) via the Export buttons in Composer.

What instruments does the app use? A mix of synthesizer waveforms and real acoustic sampled instruments — violin, viola, cello, double bass, clarinet, and horn (from the Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra soundfont, CC-BY 3.0), alongside General MIDI instruments.

Is there a simpler mode if I'm new to twelve-tone theory? Yes — in Settings, switch Experience Mode to Basic to hide technical labels and see plain-language explanations throughout the app. Switch to Advanced any time for full technical detail.

What languages does the app support? English, Spanish, German, and French.

Does the app work offline? Yes — Dodecaphony Lab works entirely offline. No internet connection is required or used for anything in the app.

Does the app collect any data? No. Dodecaphony Lab collects no personal data of any kind. See our Privacy Policy for details.