diatonic

Example Sentences

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When played in these contexts, the loud instrument takes on a different style of tuning, called diatonic, which means it can play only a limited range of notes in a specific key.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

Most accordionists who play Mexican music use button instruments called diatonic accordions, which produce different notes when the bellows are pushed and pulled.

From Seattle Times • May 20, 2022

Rather, you get a congenial, diatonic, rhythmically sturdy kind of conversation.

From New York Times • Sep. 13, 2018

Here’s a rough analogy: A diatonic harp has just the white keys on the piano keyboard, whereas on a chromatic, ebony and ivory live together in perfect etc. etc.

From Slate • Dec. 22, 2016

Music that does not stray at all from its key is called diatonic.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones