diatonic

[ dahy-uh-ton-ik ]

adjective

, Music.

1. noting those scales that contain five whole tones and two semitones, as the major, minor, and certain modal scales.
2. of or relating to the tones, intervals, or harmonies of such scales.

diatonic

/ ˌdaɪəˈtɒnɪk; ˌdaɪəˈtɒnɪˌsɪzəm /

adjective

1. 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. 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

Derived Forms

• ˌdiaˈtonically, adverb
• diatonicism, noun

Other Words From

• dia·toni·cal·ly adverb
• undi·a·tonic adjective
• undi·a·toni·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of diatonic¹

1590–1600; < Late Latin diatonicus < Greek diatonikós; dia-, tonic

Word History and Origins

Origin of diatonic¹

C16: from Late Latin diatonicus, from Greek diatonikos, from diatonos extending, from diateinein to stretch out, from dia- + teinein to stretch

Example Sentences

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

Joel started playing his brother’s single-row diatonic button accordion at age 3 and first appeared on radio when he was 6.

From New York Times

Over a simple sequence of diatonic chords, played with compassion by the pianist Kirill Kuzmin, Cooke describes a couple circling their feelings with an amber-toned voice suspended between tears and solace.

From New York Times

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

From Literature

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