diatonic
Americanadjective
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noting those scales that contain five whole tones and two semitones, as the major, minor, and certain modal scales.
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of or relating to the tones, intervals, or harmonies of such scales.
adjective
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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
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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
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of diatonic
1590–1600; < Late Latin diatonicus < Greek diatonikós; see dia-, tonic
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Most accordionists who play Mexican music use button instruments called diatonic accordions, which produce different notes when the bellows are pushed and pulled.
From Seattle Times ● May 20, 2022
“The apostles of the diatonic world,” he said in April, “have not produced work that measures up to the music of the past.”
From New York Times ● May 25, 2018
When you think of the harmonica, you’re probably thinking of a diatonic harmonica: 10 holes, locked to a single key.
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
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