diatonic

American  

[dahy-uh-ton-ik] / ˌdaɪ əˈtɒn ɪk /

adjective

Music.

1. noting those scales that contain five whole tones and two semitones, as the major, minor, and certain modal scales.

2. of or relating to the tones, intervals, or harmonies of such scales.

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diatonic British  

/ ˌdaɪəˈtɒnɪk, ˌdaɪəˈtɒnɪˌsɪzəm /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or based upon any scale of five tones and two semitones produced by playing the white keys of a keyboard instrument, esp the natural major or minor scales forming the basis of the key system in Western music Compare chromatic

2. not involving the sharpening or flattening of the notes of the major or minor scale nor the use of such notes as modified by accidentals

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Other Word Forms

• diatonically
  adverb
• diatonicism
  noun
• undiatonic
  adjective
• undiatonically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of diatonic

1590–1600; < Late Latin diatonicus < Greek diatonikós; see dia-, tonic

Compare meaning

How does diatonic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• diatonic vs. chromatic

Example Sentences

When played in these contexts, the loud instrument takes on a different style of tuning, called diatonic, which means it can play only a limited range of notes in a specific key.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

Petosa sells diatonic accordions from other manufacturers but doesn’t make its own.

From Seattle Times • May 20, 2022

Sometimes the music reposes on what seems a soft, lushly diatonic chord, except certain instruments play nearly inaudible high pitches that lend sting to the sonority.

From New York Times • Nov. 20, 2017

Here’s a rough analogy: A diatonic harp has just the white keys on the piano keyboard, whereas on a chromatic, ebony and ivory live together in perfect etc. etc.

From Slate • Dec. 22, 2016

Music that does not stray at all from its key is called diatonic.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones