polytonality

Also pol·y·ton·al·ism

[pol-ee-toh-nal-i-tee]

noun

Music.

1. the use of more than one key at the same time.

polytonality

/ ˌpɒlɪtəʊˈnælɪtɪ /

noun

1. music the simultaneous use of more than two different keys or tonalities

Other Word Forms

• polytonalist noun
• polytonally adverb
• polytonal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polytonality¹

First recorded in 1920–25; poly- + tonality

Example Sentences

A silent gaze, like white light being all colors, divulges all things in polyrhythms and polytonality.

From Los Angeles Times

“Absolute Zero,” in contrast, doubles down on piano virtuosity and musical intricacies: odd meters, polytonality, bustling counterpoint.

From New York Times

It might be closer to call what he was doing polytonality rather than atonality.

From The Guardian

This American maverick had an unabashedly modernist side, writing works abounding in tone clusters, polytonality and clashing layers of harmony and melody.

From New York Times

Instead, Mr. Mitchell’s playbook leans on long thematic arcs, slithery polytonality, rhythmic caginess and a chamber-like internal logic that carries over to the practice of group improvisation.

From New York Times