tonal

American  

[tohn-l] / ˈtoʊn l /

adjective

Music.

1. pertaining to or having tonality.

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tonal British  

/ ˈtəʊnəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to tone

2. of, relating to, or utilizing the diatonic system; having an established key Compare atonal

3. 1. (of an answer in a fugue) not having the same melodic intervals as the subject, so as to remain in the original key

   2. denoting a fugue as having such an answer Compare real 1

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Other Word Forms

• tonally adverb

Etymology

Origin of tonal

1770–80; < Medieval Latin tonālis . See tone, -al ¹

Example Sentences

It features 26 paintings, oil sketches and drawings, these last done in Conté crayon, a medium made from powdered graphite and carbon black that allowed deeper blacks and more expressive tonal contrasts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many Brits are eager for an alternative to the celebrity panel shows and reality shows that replaced TV sketch shows, which are tonally risky and expensive to produce.

From The Wall Street Journal

Teases Echevarria, “tonally the episode is a little bit different and it’s a little more scandalous but certainly contemporary.”

From Los Angeles Times

The wide tonal variation continues with “Don’t Let Go,” a gorgeous midtempo weeper with pedal-steel guitar, tinkly piano and mournful fiddle.

From The Wall Street Journal

The legal case is only getting going, she says, yet an “impatient” Court has produced “a terse, tonally dismissive ruling designed to conclusively resolve the dispute.”

From The Wall Street Journal