How many tetra chords are in an octatonic scale, can i form these from any note

Question:slightly confused, the net seems to be saying there are only 4 tetra chords in the scale? i thought i could just form a tetra chord on any on any note from the octatonic - as you may have realised, im new to this stuff and its for an assignment so be nice

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: slightly confused, the net seems to be saying there are only 4 tetra chords in the scale? i thought i could just form a tetra chord on any on any note from the octatonic - as you may have realised, im new to this stuff and its for an assignment so be nice

This sort of question, which comes up in music theory class assignments, never, in my experience comes up in any real musical situation. The only people who use the terms tetra chord and octatonic scale are music theory teachers and the students they confuse. Though it's of little practical use (except passing the class) I think the answer is that each "octatonic" scale is made up of two "tetra chords," built off the one and the five of the scale. So, a major scale would be made up of two major tetra chords built from the one and the five, a mixolydian scale would be a major tetra chord (built from the one) and a minor tetra chord (built off the five), a dorian scale would be two minor tetra chords built from the one and the five, etc.
Good luck!

Maybe they're referring to the "type" of chord used to harmonize a major scale in 7th chords. Maj7, min7, dominant 7th, and minor 7th flat5. This is just a guess.