adjective

diatonic

dy-uh-TAH-nik/ˌdaɪəˈtɑːnɪk/

Using the notes of a standard major or minor scale.

The marked white piano keys form a diatonic scale from C to C.

A close, slightly elevated view of a piano keyboard spanning C to the next C, with the eight consecutive white keys subtly marked to indicate the notes of a C-major scale; the five black keys remain unmarked.

Etymology

diaGreekthrough, across

+tonGreekto stretch

+icGreekpertaining to

The “stretching across” image underlies Greek diatonos, which already referred to a kind of scale. In modern use, the word describes music using standard major or minor scale notes without chromatic alteration.

In context

Piano Mario6:04

Using only the white keys, we can play all 7 diatonic scales

Musical Scales Explained (Pentatonic, Diatonic, Chromatic)

More examples

The students write a short diatonic melody in A minor.
Her diatonic harmonies stay within the song's major key.
The tune remains diatonic until a note outside the scale appears.

Forms

diatonically adverb — Using only a major or minor scale.

Similar words

tonal: Tonal music centers on a key but may include chromatic notes.