detone

Detone is a term used in Italian musical terminology to denote a note or passage that is out of pitch or otherwise discordant with the intended tonal center. The word derives from tono (tone) with a negative prefix, and it is used in reviews, performance notes, and teaching to indicate that a performance contains a detone when a singer or instrumentalist plays or sings a note incorrectly in relation to the key or harmony.

Usage and nuance: A detone can refer to a single wrong note, an improvised phrase that sounds off key, or a broader tendency toward overall intonation problems in a passage. It is not a technical term for deliberate detuning or stylistic choice; rather, it connotes unintended discordance or poor intonation in a given context.

Beyond its musical sense, detone can appear as a proper noun in Italian language contexts: as a surname, or as part of brand or project names. In English-language discussions, detone is typically encountered as a loanword when describing Italian musical critique or vocal/piano technique.

Detone is related to concepts such as intonation, pitch, tuning, and discord, and understanding its use helps clarify whether a performance’s problem lies in a single note, a phrase, or broader instrumental or vocal intonation.