Diatonic: meaning, definitions and examples
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diatonic
[ daɪəˈtɒnɪk ]
music theory
Diatonic refers to a scale or set of notes that is based on a specific key, consisting of seven pitches within an octave. It defines the relationship between the notes of a major or minor scale, emphasizing the use of natural notes within that key without alterations. The term is often used to distinguish between notes that belong to the scale and those that are chromatic or outside of it.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The melody is diatonic to the key of C major.
- Diatonic chords create a sense of resolution in music.
- She explained the diatonic scale during her music theory class.
Translations
Translations of the word "diatonic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 diatônico
🇮🇳 डायटोनिक
🇩🇪 diatonisch
🇮🇩 diatonis
🇺🇦 діатонічний
🇵🇱 diatoniczny
🇯🇵 ダイアトニック
🇫🇷 diatonique
🇪🇸 diatónico
🇹🇷 diyatonik
🇰🇷 다이아토닉
🇸🇦 دياتوني
🇨🇿 diatonický
🇸🇰 diatonický
🇨🇳 音阶的
🇸🇮 diatonični
🇮🇸 díatonískur
🇰🇿 диатоник
🇬🇪 დიატონური
🇦🇿 diatonik
🇲🇽 diatónico
Etymology
The word 'diatonic' is derived from the Greek word 'diatonikos', meaning 'through the tones'. The term has been used in music theory since ancient times, evolving through the medieval period when theorists began to classify scales and modes. Initially applied to describe the arrangement of notes in a scale that encompasses whole tones and semitones, diatonic has been a fundamental concept in Western music. It gained prominence during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, during which composers developed the diatonic scale into sophisticated harmonic structures. Today, diatonic concepts serve as the foundation for much of Western music education, influencing genres from classical to modern popular music.