This is a standard format for representing pcsets, often referred to as normal form . Arrange the pitch classes in ascending order so that the interval from first to last is the smallest possible. If there is still a tie after all distances have been compared, choose the ordering that begin with the lowest numbered pitch class. Writet the pcset in the ordering detrmined by the above steps. Use square braces, and commas to separate the pitch classes.
Numeric notation is preferred.
The most obvious relationship involves two sets that are exact transpositions of one another. They may or may not have any pitches in common, but in normal form they will have exactly the same distribution of intervals. A less obvious, but equally important relationship involves pcsets related to each other by inversion . They may or may not have any pitches in common, but they will have the same distribution of interval classes . Whatever went up in one set goes down in its inversion.