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tonality

 

Definitions from WordNet

Noun tonality has 1 sense
  1. key, tonality - any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
    --1 is a kind of musical notation
    Antonyms: atonality, atonalism
    --1 has particulars:
     major key, major mode; minor key, minor mode; tonic key, home key

Definitions from the Web

Tonality

Description

Tonality refers to the overall character or organization of musical tones within a piece of music. It involves the arrangement of pitches and chords in relation to a central pitch or key. Tonality establishes a sense of hierarchy and provides a framework for musical compositions.

Senses

1. Musical Sense

In music theory, tonality refers to the system of organizing and perceiving music based on a specific key. It determines the relationships among various notes or chords within a musical composition.

Sample Sentence: The tonality of the symphony shifted dramatically from a somber minor key to a triumphant major key in the final movement.

2. Linguistic Sense

In linguistics, tonality refers to the use of pitch patterns to convey meanings in tonal languages. It involves using different pitch levels or contours to differentiate between words or grammatical elements.

Sample Sentence: Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language where changing the pitch of a syllable can alter its meaning, exemplifying the importance of tonality in linguistic communication.

Usages

1. Musical Compositions

Tonality plays a crucial role in various genres of music, such as classical, jazz, and pop. It provides a basis for creating melodies, harmonies, and progressions.

Sample Sentence: The composer skillfully employed tonality to evoke different moods and emotions throughout the symphony.

2. Language and Communication

Tonality is an essential aspect of tonal languages, including Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Thai. The distinctive pitch patterns help differentiate between words that would otherwise have the same pronunciation.

Sample Sentence: Understanding tonality is vital for accurately interpreting tonal languages, as misplacing the pitch can lead to miscommunication.

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