Tonalzusammenhängende

Tonalzusammenhängende is a German term that translates to "tonal coherence" or "tonal relatedness" in English. It refers to the quality of a musical passage or composition where the pitches and harmonies clearly relate to a central tonic or a discernible tonal center. This relationship is established through various musical elements, including the use of scales, chords, and melodic contours that are all organized around a fundamental pitch.

In music theory, tonality implies a hierarchical structure where certain pitches and chords have a greater sense of stability and resolution than others. The tonic, or keynote, is the most stable point in this system. Tonalzusammenhängende signifies that this sense of a central key is maintained and perceivable throughout the music, even when excursions to other keys or dissonances occur. The listener can generally follow the harmonic progression and understand how different musical ideas connect back to or depart from this tonal foundation.

The presence or absence of tonalzusammenhängende is a key factor in distinguishing between tonal and atonal music. Tonal music, by definition, exhibits strong tonal coherence. Atonal music, on the other hand, deliberately avoids establishing a central key, leading to a lack of perceivable tonal relationships. Understanding tonalzusammenhängende is crucial for analyzing and appreciating much of Western classical music, as well as many forms of popular music. It forms the basis for harmonic progressions, cadences, and the overall structure of musical phrases and entire compositions.