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
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Derived 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
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
Also Korngoldesque are the glinting dissonances that affirm rather than undermine the diatonic harmony, as if putting floodlights on the chords.
From The New Yorker • Jan. 1, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
