Diatonic means notes from a scale/key. Usually the well-used major. Does that mean any other notes not included are all chromatic? Would using notes from a parallel key change the definition? Definitions seem to have changed over time. And why can't both tags be included?!
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I'm not sure that melodic and harmonic alterations of minor are still Diatonic, so parallel Minor may be described a different way, but I don't recall chromatic being used to describe the alterations. I do remember the raised leading tone of scales with a minor 7th in them, such as Dorian and Mixolydian being described as chromatic alterations in some cases. Also, what about Diatonic derived scales such as pentatonic/blues? Is the blue note a chromatic alteration of the pentatonic minor? If a parallel key is still using the Diatonic scale, then it would still be Diatonic, just in a new key.– Alphonso BalvenieCommented Apr 22, 2018 at 7:35
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@AlphonsoBalvenie - except that the parallel key to a major will be minor, and I'm not certain that all minor keys are construed to contain 'diatonic' notes, either.– TimCommented Apr 22, 2018 at 7:43
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parallel modes tend to stay more diatonic than the minor scale, depending on style and tradition. Norwegian Wood comes to mind.– Alphonso BalvenieCommented Apr 22, 2018 at 7:51
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Are you tagging for diatonic chromaticism, or for chromatic diatonicism?– user39614Commented Apr 22, 2018 at 13:48
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2 Answers
'In all cases'? Now, that's just asking for trouble, particularly on an Internet forum! As you say, definitions have changed over time. And we could argue that the major scale is 'diatonic', the parallel minor contains chromatic alterations. Or that the natural minor is 'diatonic', the other minor scales are chromatically altered. Is 12-tone music 'chromatic' when it contains no contrasting diatonicism?
But you want an answer. A neat definition of what may be labelled 'chromatic'. Let's try this.
'A note not in the prevailing scale, or a chord using such notes'.
We don't need to worry WHERE the note came from - a 'parallel mode' or whatever. Ok, the note isn't chromatic in some OTHER scale. But it is chromatic in the one we're based in now.
I look at every note, chord, accidental, tone, no matter as being chromatic, I use non-diatonic to describe the chromatic tones used but not diatonic to a given scale or key, because the notes that are diatonic to any given scale or key are also included in the chromatic scale. I recognize that both terms are used somewhat interchangeably, but I feel it can actually lead to confusion for the student who is not yet accustomed to actual practices between musicians.
answered Apr 22, 2018 at 16:28
