Retrograde inversion scale

Retrograde inversion is a musical term that literally means "backwards and upside down": "The inverse of the series is sounded in reverse order." Retrograde reverses the order of the motif's pitches: what was the first pitch becomes the last, and vice versa.

1. What is the difference between retrograde and inversion?
2. How do you do retrograde inversions?
3. What is a retrograde melody?

What is the difference between retrograde and inversion?

The retrograde is the prime form backward. The inversion is the original row with all intervals in the row inverted (going in the opposite direction of the original).

How do you do retrograde inversions?

So, to invert the prime form, subtract each number (except zero) from 12. To get the retrograde, list the prime form backwards, starting with the last pitch class and reading right to left. To get the retrograde inversion, list the inversion form backwards, reading the notes from right to left.

What is a retrograde melody?

A melodic line that is the reverse of a previously or simultaneously stated line is said to be its retrograde or cancrizans ("walking backward", medieval Latin, from cancer, crab). An exact retrograde includes both the pitches and rhythms in reverse.