Atonality: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ถ
atonality
[ ษหtoสnษlษชti ]
music theory
Atonality is a characteristic of music that lacks a tonal center or key. This means the music does not revolve around a central note as is typical in tonal music. Instead, atonal music is often marked by the equal treatment of all pitches, leading to a more dissonant sound.
Synonyms
dissonance, non-tonality
Examples of usage
- The composer experimented with atonality in his latest work.
- Atonality challenges traditional notions of harmony.
- Many 20th-century composers embraced atonality in their music.
Translations
Translations of the word "atonality" in other languages:
๐ต๐น atonalidade
๐ฎ๐ณ เค เคเคจเคฒเคฟเคเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Atonalitรคt
๐ฎ๐ฉ atonalitas
๐บ๐ฆ ะฐัะพะฝะฐะปัะฝัััั
๐ต๐ฑ atonalnoลฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ็ก่ชฟๆง
๐ซ๐ท atonalitรฉ
๐ช๐ธ atonalidad
๐น๐ท atonalite
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฌด์กฐ์ฑ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงููุงู ูุณูููุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ atonalita
๐ธ๐ฐ atonalita
๐จ๐ณ ๆ ่ฐๆง
๐ธ๐ฎ atonalnost
๐ฎ๐ธ atรณnalitet
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฐัะพะฝะฐะปะดัะปัา
๐ฌ๐ช แแขแแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ atonallฤฑq
๐ฒ๐ฝ atonalidad
Word origin
The term 'atonality' was coined in the early 20th century, primarily associated with the rise of modernist music compositions that rejected traditional tonal frameworks. Its historical roots can be traced back to innovations in European classical music, particularly through the works of composers like Arnold Schoenberg and his followers, who sought to explore new harmonic structures that did not rely on established tonal relationships. This movement emerged as a reaction against the constraints of previous musical styles, marking a significant shift in the evolution of Western music. The prefix 'a-' means 'without,' paired with 'tonality,' which refers to the system of tones in music. Thus, 'atonality' literally means 'without tonality.' Over the decades, atonality has influenced a range of musical genres and continues to be a point of discussion in music theory.