A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Diatonic

DIATONIC is the name given to music which is confined to notes proper to the signature of the key in which they occur—such as the white notes only, in the key of C major. The different forms of the minor scale are considered diatonic. Therefore the major 7th and major 6th, which often occur instead of the minor 7th and minor 6th in the signature of a minor scale, can be used without the passage ceasing to be diatonic. The theme of the Finale of the Choral Symphony is a splendid example of a diatonic melody.

[ C. H. H. P. ]