Pronunciation: /toʊˈnæləti/

Definitions of tonality

noun the character or quality of a sound or musical note that distinguishes it from other notes

Example Sentences

A1 Tonality refers to the overall sound quality of a piece of music.

A2 In music theory, tonality is the arrangement of pitches and chords that establish a key.

B1 Understanding tonality is essential for analyzing and interpreting classical music compositions.

B2 The composer used tonality to create a sense of tension and resolution in the symphony.

C1 The tonality of the opera was complex, with shifting harmonies and key changes.

C2 Her dissertation explored the tonality of 20th-century avant-garde music in great detail.

adjective relating to tonality or having tonality

Example Sentences

A1 The tonality of the painting was very bright and cheerful.

A2 She noticed the tonality of the music changed from major to minor halfway through the song.

B1 The artist used tonality to create a sense of depth in the landscape painting.

B2 The tonality of the film score helped set the mood for the intense scene.

C1 The composer's use of tonality in the symphony was masterful and complex.

C2 The tonality of the novel's prose added layers of meaning and emotion to the story.

Examples of tonality in a Sentence

formal The composer carefully considered the tonality of each piece before finalizing the score.

informal I really like how the tonality of this song gives off a nostalgic vibe.

slang The tonality of her voice was so soothing, it gave me chills.

figurative The tonality of the painting conveyed a sense of melancholy and longing.

Grammatical Forms of tonality

past tense

tonalized

plural

tonalities

comparative

more tonal

superlative

most tonal

present tense

tonalizes

future tense

will tonalize

perfect tense

has tonalized

continuous tense

is tonalizing

singular

tonality

positive degree

tonal

infinitive

to tonalize

gerund

tonalizing

participle

tonalized

Origin and Evolution of tonality

First Known Use: 1750 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'tonality' originates from the Latin word 'tonalis' which means pertaining to tone or sound.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in music theory to describe the organization of pitches around a central note or tonic, the term 'tonality' has evolved to also refer to the overall harmonic system of a musical composition or the quality of a sound in relation to its pitch.