atonal Definition
not written or played in any key or tonality; lacking a tonal center.
Using atonal: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "atonal" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The piece was atonal, with no discernible melody.
Example
Atonal music can be challenging to listen to for those accustomed to traditional tonal music.
Example
Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique is a method of composing atonal music.
atonal Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with atonal
Example
Many modern composers experiment with atonal music.
Example
The choir performed an atonal piece that required them to sing without a key.
Example
The poet experimented with atonal poetry, using free verse and unconventional structures.
Origins of atonal
from German 'atonal', coined by Arnold Schoenberg in 1908
Summary: atonal in Brief
'Atonal' [ey-toh-nl] refers to music that lacks a tonal center or key, making it untoned, unmelodic, and often dissonant. It is a term coined by Arnold Schoenberg in 1908 and is often associated with modern and experimental music. Examples of atonal music include Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique, which is a method of composing without a tonal center. Atonal poetry and singing also exist, referring to works that lack a regular meter or key.
