diatonic
adjective
dia·ton·ic
| \ ˌdī-ə-ˈtä-nik
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Definition of diatonic
: of, relating to, or being a musical scale (such as a major or minor scale) comprising intervals of five whole steps and two half steps
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Other Words from diatonic
diatonically
\ ˌdī-ə-ˈtä-ni-k(ə-)lē
\
adverb
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adverb
Examples of diatonic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead, Gaxiola devotes to the tuba for the bass notes, and in combination with a twelve-fret guitar, a diatonic accordion and drums, the group has become one of the vanguards of the genre. — Pamela Bustios, Billboard, "Calibre 50 Talks 'Simplemente Gracias' & Its 'Risky, Crazy, but Original' Sound," 30 Aug. 2019 Others had dreamed up the piano, diatonic tonality, and the 12-bar blues riff. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "The Generosity of Innovation," 28 June 2018 There are musical instruments—like Louisiana’s diatonic accordion. — Erin Blakemore, Smithsonian, "Utah Chooses New State Works of Art," 16 Mar. 2017 The Coplandesque fields of diatonic harmony in the orchestra are as open as the prairie skies. — John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Family uprooted and an innocent man condemned in St. Louis Opera Theatre season," 20 June 2017 Often, Cajun music is accompanied by the metal triangle for percussion, and the Cajun accordion is diatonic and works similarly to the harmonica. — Lisa Deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Sharing a love of Louisiana dance and culture with annual festival," 6 May 2017 There are musical instruments—like Louisiana’s diatonic accordion. — Erin Blakemore, Smithsonian, "Utah Chooses New State Works of Art," 16 Mar. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'diatonic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for diatonic
diatonic
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of diatonic
music
: of or relating to a musical scale that has five whole steps and two semitones
See the full definition for diatonic in the English Language Learners Dictionary