word
Microtonality
my-kroh-toh-NAL-ih-tee
/ˌmaɪkroʊtoʊˈnælɪti/Listen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
mykrohtohNALihtee
Dictionary meaning
The use of musical intervals smaller than a semitone — the smallest standard interval in Western music — including quarter tones, third tones, and other microtonal divisions; common in Arabic maqam, Turkish makam, and Indian classical music, and explored in Western experimental music.
Examples
- The composer wrote for a specially built microtonal piano capable of playing quarter tones.
- Microtonality is not exotic in many world music traditions — it is built into the tuning system.
Synonyms: microtonal music, xenharmonic music
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