atonalistic
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to atonalism: Pertaining to the musical style or system of atonality, which avoids traditional tonal centers, key signatures, and harmonic hierarchies.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The composer's early work was tonal, but his later pieces became increasingly atonalistic.
- The music critic wrote an analysis of the atonalistic techniques used in the 20th-century piece.
Advanced Usage
"Atonalistic composition": A piece of music written in the atonal style.
- The concert featured a challenging program of atonalistic compositions.
"Atonalistic tendencies": Features or elements in music that move away from tonality.
- Even in his symphonies, one can detect subtle atonalistic tendencies.
Variants and Related Words
Atonal (adj): Not written in any key or mode; lacking a tonal center.
- Schoenberg is famous for his atonal music.
Atonality (n): The absence of a key or tonal center in a musical composition.
- The principle of atonality was revolutionary for its time.
Synonyms
- Non-tonal: Not based on a traditional tonal system.
- Post-tonal: A term sometimes used for music that moves beyond traditional tonality.
Related Phrases
- Atonalistic language: Can be used metaphorically to describe other art forms (e.g., painting, writing) that reject traditional structures or hierarchies.
- The poet's atonalistic language broke from conventional meter and rhyme.
Notes on Meaning
- Specificity: The term "atonalistic" is a more specific adjective than "atonal." While "atonal" directly describes the music itself, "atonalistic" often describes things (like techniques, theories, or periods) that are characteristic of or related to the broader system or style of atonality.
- Context: This word is primarily used in academic, critical, or historical discussions about music.
Adjective
-
of or relating to atonalism
