Diatonic Harmony
/ˌdaɪəˈtɒnɪk ˈhɑːrməni/noun
Harmony built primarily from notes belonging to a particular diatonic scale, such as the major or natural minor scale.
Did you know?Ancient Greek theorists used diatonic for one of three musical genera, alongside chromatic and enharmonic—not specifically for the modern major and minor systems.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ten-
“To stretch or extend; the ancient root behind Greek tonos and English tone.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
διάτονος (diátonos)
“Diatonic; literally extending through tones or intervals.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἁρμονία (harmonía)
“A fitting together, joint, arrangement, or musical concord.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
diatonicus; harmonia
“Diatonic; musical agreement or a joining of sounds.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
diatonicus; armonia
“Terms used in theoretical writing for the diatonic genus and musical concord or arrangement.”
17th Century
English
diatonic harmony
“English musical terminology describing the combination of notes and chords within a diatonic scale.”
Modern English
English
diatonic harmony
“Harmony organized around the notes and chords of a major, minor, or other diatonic scale.”