Topmusicanswers
- Why is it called diatonic?
- What is the meaning of the Greek word diatonic?
- Is diatonic the opposite of chromatic?
- What does diatonic mean in Latin?
Why is it called diatonic?
The word "diatonic" comes from the Greek διατονικός, meaning progressing through tones. The seven pitches of any diatonic scale can be obtained using a chain of six perfect fifths. An example of this would be the seven natural pitches which form the C-major scale.
What is the meaning of the Greek word diatonic?
1600, in ancient Greek music, in reference to one of the three standard tetrachords, from French diatonique, from Latin diatonicus, from Greek diatonikos, from diatonos "extending; pertaining to the diatonic scale," from dia "through, across" (see dia-) + teinein "to stretch," from PIE root *ten- "to stretch." In ...
Is diatonic the opposite of chromatic?
Diatonic chords are generally understood as those that are built using only notes from the same diatonic scale; all other chords are considered chromatic.
What does diatonic mean in Latin?
Word Origin for diatonic
C16: from Late Latin diatonicus, from Greek diatonikos, from diatonos extending, from diateinein to stretch out, from dia- + teinein to stretch.
