Chromatic
Example: The composer used chromatic harmonies to enrich the musical piece.
Definition
"Chromatic" in music refers to notes, chords, or scales that include pitches outside the standard diatonic scale, often involving semitones. It is used to describe harmonies or melodies that incorporate these additional tones to add color and complexity to a composition.
Etymology
The word "chromatic" originates from the Greek word 'khrōmatikos,' meaning 'pertaining to color.' In music, this term metaphorically relates to the 'colorful' effect produced by notes outside the standard scale. Did you know that the term evolved from describing literal colors to representing musical tones that add richness and variety?
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"Chromatic" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - Music - (C2) - set 1", containing 99 commonly used words.
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