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Glite Dictionary
scalic

scalic

9.9
About a pattern of musical notes that move step by step up or down
  • adjective
  • /ˈskeɪlɪk/
  • Specialized
: escala
  • The melody follows a scalic pattern ascending through the major scale.

Examples

  • The piece opens with a series of scalic runs in the piano.

  • Many students practice scalic exercises to improve their technique.

  • This piece is scalic.

  • The scalic changes were unexpected!

  • Many students practice scalic exercises to improve their technique.

  • The melody follows a scalic pattern ascending through the major scale.

  • The piece opens with a series of scalic runs on the piano.

Synonyms

scalar
vsscalic
  • Specialized
1 7.7

Relating to notes or patterns that move along a musical scale

is about any relation to a musical scale rather than only derived patterns

Antonyms

atonal
  • Specialized
3 9.1

Music that has no key and avoids normal chords

Surface Forms

scalic positive

Morphology

scalic = scale (semi-transparent) = scal + ic

Formed from 'scale' + '-ic' so the relation is clear, but the adjective is rare and drops the final 'e', and 'scale' has multiple senses so the musical sense may not be immediately obvious to learners.

Etymology

The word scalic comes from the same root as scale and scala, which meant 'ladder' or 'steps'. Think of a musical scale as a ladder of notes you climb up and down, so scalic means 'relating to a musical scale'.