diatonicism

Diatonicism is a musical concept that refers to the use of a single scale or key as the central organizing principle of a piece of music. The term "diatonic" comes from the Ancient Greek word "dies" meaning "day" and "tone" meaning "tone" or "note", implying that each scale tone (stacked in order like a tower) is evenly spaced. Diatonicism is the basis of many types of music, including Western tonal music and some forms of folk music.

In Western tonal music, diatonicism is characterized by the use of a specific key or tonal center to organize the pitch relationships within a piece. This is achieved by the use of chords and scales that are derived from a single scale or key. For example, the key of C major uses the C major scale as its foundation, with chords like C major, G major, and Am built from notes of the C major scale.

Diatonicism is often contrasted with various forms of chromaticism, which involve the use of notes outside the key or scale to create tension or add color to a piece. However, diatonicism can also be used to create complex and nuanced musical structures by the use of dissonances and resolutions within the diatonic framework.

Diatonicism is essential to the functioning of many musical forms, including sonatas, symphonies, and folk songs. It provides a sense of stability and coherence to a piece of music, and it allows composers and musicians to create a sense of forward motion and progression. Ultimately, diatonicism is a fundamental element of tonal music, and it remains an important concept in music theory and composition.