Dodecachordon

work by Glareanus

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June 25, 2026

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The Dodecachordon is a significant music theory publication by Swiss Humanist Henricus Glareanus, first published in 1547. This work is renowned for expanding the medieval system of eight musical modes by introducing two new modes: the Ionian (major) and Aeolian (minor).12

Glareanus's treatise was influential, impacting many later composers and theorists. Beyond its theoretical contributions, the Dodecachordon serves as a valuable resource for music historians, containing discussions and musical examples from prominent composers of the era, such as Josquin des Prez, Jakob Obrecht, and Jean d’Ockeghem. The addition of the Ionian and Aeolian modes acknowledged the growing importance of major and minor scales in musical practice.132

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Aeolian mode
…Glareanus in his music treatise Dodecachordon (1547). In that work Glareanus expanded the standing system of eight church modes—which had prevailed since the 9th century—to accommodate the increasingly common major and minor modes as well as the growing importance of harmony as a determinant of melodic motion. He added four…
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…Glareanus in his music treatise Dodecachordon (1547). In that work Glareanus expanded the standing system of eight church modes—which had prevailed since the 9th century—to accommodate the increasingly common major and minor modes as well as the growing importance of harmony as a determinant of melodic motion. He added four…
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Henricus Glareanus
…known especially for his publication Dodecachordon (Basel, 1547).
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…known especially for his publication Dodecachordon (Basel, 1547).
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Ionian mode
…Glareanus in his music treatise Dodecachordon (1547). In that work Glareanus expanded the standing system of eight church modes—which had prevailed since the 9th century—to accommodate the increasingly common major and minor modes as well as the growing importance of harmony as a determinant of melodic motion. He added four…
Read More
…Glareanus in his music treatise Dodecachordon (1547). In that work Glareanus expanded the standing system of eight church modes—which had prevailed since the 9th century—to accommodate the increasingly common major and minor modes as well as the growing importance of harmony as a determinant of melodic motion. He added four…
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Locrian mode
… in his landmark music treatise Dodecachordon (1547). In that work Glareanus expanded the standing system of church modes to accommodate the increasingly common major and minor modes as well as the growing importance of harmony as a determinant of melodic motion. However, the Locrian and Hypolocrian modes were notably excluded…
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… in his landmark music treatise Dodecachordon (1547). In that work Glareanus expanded the standing system of church modes to accommodate the increasingly common major and minor modes as well as the growing importance of harmony as a determinant of melodic motion. However, the Locrian and Hypolocrian modes were notably excluded…
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mode
Gradual emergence of major and minor tonality
In his Dodecachordon (1547; from Greek dōdeka, “twelve,” and chordē, “string”), perhaps the most significant musical treatise of the time, Glareanus enlarged the system of the eight church modes by adding the following four:
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In his Dodecachordon (1547; from Greek dōdeka, “twelve,” and chordē, “string”), perhaps the most significant musical treatise of the time, Glareanus enlarged the system of the eight church modes by adding the following four:
Read More