atonally
1
9.3
In a way that has no main musical key and sounds like clashing notes
- adverb
- /əˈtoʊnəli/
- Specialized
:
de manera atonal
- In the experimental film, the characters expressed their emotions atonally, producing an eerie atmosphere.
Examples
-
A sound tugged at the fringes of sensation, tumbling, gurgling, trilling atonally.
Fiction book (1992) -
Somewhere a woman was screaming atonally, over and over and over, with staccato hitches for breath.
Fiction book (2002) -
The composer created a piece that was played atonally, avoiding any traditional melodies.
-
The orchestra's performance was notable for its use of atonally arranged notes, creating a unique listening experience.
How Tonal
tonally
2
5.9
2
5.9
atonally
1
9.3
- Specialized
1
9.3
Surface Forms
atonally positive
Morphology
Etymology
Atonally starts with a- meaning 'not' and comes from tone, which means 'sound' or musical 'key'. So, to play atonally is to play without a clear key or centre, which is why atonal music often sounds jarring or unpredictable.