diatonically
Using natural notes
In a diatonic manner—using only the seven notes of a major or minor scale without chromatic alteration.
A melody that moves diatonically stays within its key: The passage ascends diatonically from C to G.
The term contrasts with chromatically, which involves half-step movements outside the scale.
Notes sounded simultaneously
- triadGroup of three
- progressionSequential forward movement
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
consonance · tonic · dominant · subdominant · seventh · suspension · voicing · inversion
Proceeding by degrees
- conjunctJoined or combined element
- scalarQuantity with magnitude only
- phraseWords forming partial meaning
- contourBounding line of shape
ascending · descending · sequence · motif · theme · ornament · auxiliary
chord
Notes sounded simultaneously
- triadGroup of three
- progressionSequential forward movement
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
resolution · consonance · tonic · dominant · subdominant · seventh · suspension · voicing · inversion · counterpoint
stepwise
Proceeding by degrees
- conjunctJoined or combined element
- scalarQuantity with magnitude only
- phraseWords forming partial meaning
contour · ascending · descending · sequence · motif · theme · ornament · auxiliary
major
Of chief importance
Lydian · Aeolian · modal · half-step · tonic · mediant · subdominant · dominant · octave · transposition
A-minor
Tonality lacking accidentals
- modulationVarying signals to transmit