La tonalité
Example: La tonalité de cette symphonie évoque une ambiance mélancolique profonde.
Definition
"La tonalité" in music refers to the system or hierarchy of pitches and chords that define the key of a piece, establishing its harmonic center and mood. It shapes how melodies and harmonies are perceived, as in the phrase, "La tonalité de cette symphonie évoque une ambiance mélancolique profonde."
Etymology
The word "la tonalité" comes from the French term for tone or key, derived from the Latin 'tonus,' meaning sound or pitch. It entered musical vocabulary to describe the organization of pitches around a central note, a concept developed notably during the Baroque period. Did you know? The idea of tonalité helped musicians understand and compose music with emotional color and structure.
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"La tonalité" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 99 commonly used words.
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