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diatonic vs. chromatic

diatonic

[ dahy-uh-ton-ik ]
adjective
  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.

chromatic

[ kroh-mat-ik, kruh- ]
adjective
  1. pertaining to color or colors.
  2. Music.
    1. involving a modification of the normal scale by the use of accidentals.
    2. progressing by semitones, especially to a tone having the same letter name, as in C to C sharp.