What is tonality?
Q: What is tonality?
A: Tonality is a system of music that uses the notes of a major or minor scale. This type of music is in a particular key, and nearly all Western music is tonal.
Q: How can you tell if a piece of music is tonal?
A: You can tell if a piece of music is tonal by listening for the notes of a major or minor scale. If these notes are present, then the piece is likely to be tonal.
Q: What does it mean when a piece modulates?
A: Modulation occurs when there is a change in key within the same piece of music. This means that the tune shifts from one key to another before returning back to its original key at the end.
Q: Is atonality different from tonality?
A: Yes, atonality differs from tonality in that there is no feeling of home key present in an atonal piece. Atonal pieces often feature random notes and chromatic scales which do not create any sense of harmony or resolution like with tonal pieces.
Q: Who was one famous composer who wrote atonal music?
A: Schoenberg was one famous composer who wrote atonal music and invented the twelve-tone system as an alternative way to give his compositions shape and structure without relying on traditional keys and scales.
