Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,752,051,373 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

diatonic

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
di·a·ton·ic  (d-tnk)
adj. Music
Of or using only the seven tones of a standard scale without chromatic alterations.

[Late Latin diatonicus, from Greek diatonikos : dia-, dia- + tonos, tone; see tone.]

dia·toni·cal·ly adv.
dia·toni·cism (--szm) n.

diatonic [ˌdaɪəˈtɒnɪk]
adj
1. (Music, other) 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]
2. (Music, other) 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
[from Late Latin diatonicus, from Greek diatonikos, from diatonos extending, from diateinein to stretch out, from dia- + teinein to stretch]
diatonically  adv
diatonicism  [ˌdaɪəˈtɒnɪˌsɪzəm] n
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.diatonic - based on the standard major or minor scales consisting of 5 tones and 2 semitones without modulation by accidentals
music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
chromatic - based on a scale consisting of 12 semitones; "a chromatic scale"
2.diatonic - based on or using the five tones and two semitones of the major or minor scales of western music
tonal - having tonality; i.e. tones and chords organized in relation to one tone such as a keynote or tonic
Translations
diatonic [ˌdaɪəˈtɒnɪk]
A. ADJdiatónico
B. CPD diatonic scale Nescala f diatónica
diatonic
adjdiatonisch


How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
The rhythmic complexity of African drumming, for instance, had been dramatically reduced, while accordingly, the European diatonic scales and Western harmonics were reduced to accommodate better the largely pentatonic structure of African melody; see Schuller 6-26, 38-54.
The pianist progresses through triad and inversion exercises built on diatonic triads in each key, learning about triad construction from the major scale.
1) Instead of using the traditional diatonic order of whole steps and half steps (the source of the ancient Greek and medieval modes, and of the modern major scale), the serial composer takes as his governing principle a row or series comprising all twelve chromatic tones within the octave.
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.