Tonality - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Tonality refers to the system of organizing music around a central note, called the tonic, which creates a sense of harmony and key. It shapes the mood and structure of a musical piece.
Definition:
The character of a piece of music determined by its key or scale.
Synonyms:
key, mode, pitch, harmonic structure
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
atonality, dissonance
Common Collocations:
major tonality, minor tonality, tonal center, tonal harmony, tonal color
Derivatives:
tonal, tonally, tonalist
Usage Tips:
Use "tonality" to describe the harmonic framework or key of a musical composition.
Common Phrases:
tonal center, tonal shift, tonal balance
Etymology:
Derived from "tone," from Greek "tonos" (tension or pitch), via Latin "tonus."
Examples:
- 1. The song's tonality shifts from major to minor unexpectedly.
- 2. Jazz often explores complex tonality beyond traditional scales.
- 3. The composer carefully crafted the tonality to evoke nostalgia.
- 4. Students analyzed the tonality of Beethoven’s symphonies in class.