diatonic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When played in these contexts, the loud instrument takes on a different style of tuning, called diatonic, which means it can play only a limited range of notes in a specific key.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

Most accordionists who play Mexican music use button instruments called diatonic accordions, which produce different notes when the bellows are pushed and pulled.

From Seattle Times • May 20, 2022

Here’s a rough analogy: A diatonic harp has just the white keys on the piano keyboard, whereas on a chromatic, ebony and ivory live together in perfect etc. etc.

From Slate • Dec. 22, 2016

Also Korngoldesque are the glinting dissonances that affirm rather than undermine the diatonic harmony, as if putting floodlights on the chords.

From The New Yorker • Jan. 1, 2016

Music that does not stray at all from its key is called diatonic.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones