noun a quality of a musical sound or voice produced by a steady even emission of a continuous range of sound waves or frequencies
adjective relating to or having tones or a tone; characterized by or capable of producing a tone or tones
In music theory, tonal refers to the system of keys and harmonies based on a tonic or central pitch. Tonal music often follows traditional harmonic progressions.
In linguistics, tonal languages use pitch variations to distinguish between words or meanings. Tonal languages include Mandarin Chinese, Thai, and Yoruba.
In art, tonal refers to the use of shades of a single color to create depth and form in a painting or drawing. Tonal art can evoke a sense of mood or atmosphere.
In the context of writing, 'tonal' refers to the overall mood or attitude conveyed through the choice of words, sentence structure, and writing style. Writers often strive to maintain a consistent tonal quality throughout their work to effectively communicate their message to the audience.
Psychologists may use the term 'tonal' to describe the emotional tone or quality of voice used by a person during therapy sessions. They may also analyze the tonal aspects of verbal communication to gain insights into a person's emotional state or mental well-being.
For musicians, 'tonal' typically refers to the quality of sound produced by musical instruments or voices. It can also refer to the specific pitch or frequency of a musical note. Musicians may use terms like 'bright tonal quality' or 'warm tonal color' to describe different aspects of sound.
In marketing, 'tonal' can refer to the overall messaging and communication style used in advertising campaigns or branding efforts. Marketers may aim to create a consistent tonal voice across various marketing channels to build brand recognition and connect with their target audience.