Atonal

usgb/eɪˈtəʊnl/
adjective

Relating to music that doesn't follow a key or tonal center.

The composer's latest symphony is a complex piece of atonal music.
Visual representation of "atonal" - Relating to music that doesn't follow a key or tonal center

Often appears as...

  • atonal music
  • atonal composition

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Technical

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Visual representation of "atonal"
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Modernist Style

Atonal music often features in modernist movements, breaking classical harmony rules.

Illustration for Modernist Style
The atonal piece felt both jarring and avant-garde.
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Emotional Impact

Atonal music can evoke unsettled feelings, as it defies usual melodic expectations.

Illustration for Emotional Impact
The atonal soundtrack heightened the film's sense of disorientation.
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No Singable Tune

Atonal compositions lack singable tunes, making them less hummable than tonal music.

Illustration for No Singable Tune
Even after the concert, I couldn't hum a single atonal theme.
Visual representation of the word "Atonal"

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