Diatonic Scale
/ˌdaɪ.əˈtɑː.nɪk skeɪl/noun
A musical scale arranged in seven notes per octave using five whole steps and two half steps.
Did you know?Ancient Greek theorists classified the diatonic genus through tetrachords, linking musical structure to mathematical theories of cosmic harmony.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ten-
“To stretch or extend”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τόνος (tonos)
“A stretching, tension, tone, or pitch”
Ancient Greek
Greek
διατονικός (diatonikos)
“Proceeding through tones; the diatonic musical genus”
Ancient Greek
Greek
διατονικὴ κλίμαξ (diatonikē klimax)
“A diatonic ladder or scale; κλίμαξ means ladder”
Medieval Latin
Latin
diatonicus
“Diatonic; relating to the succession of tones”
17th Century
English
diatonic scale
“A scale organized according to diatonic intervals”
Modern English
English
diatonic scale
“A seven-note scale pattern forming the basis of major and minor musical systems”