Tonality
Definition
Tonality refers to the organization of music around a central pitch, known as the tonic. It creates a sense of stability and hierarchy within a piece of music.
Analogy
Think of tonality like a home address. The tonic is like your house, and all the other pitches are like neighboring houses on the same street. The tonic is where you feel most at home, and it helps give structure to the neighborhood.
Related terms
Key Signature: A key signature is a set of sharps or flats placed at the beginning of a musical staff to indicate which notes should be raised or lowered throughout the piece.
Modulation: Modulation occurs when there is a change in tonal center within a piece of music. It's like moving from one neighborhood to another, with a new tonic as your new home address.
Dominant: The dominant is the fifth scale degree in any given key. It has an important role in tonal music because it creates tension that resolves back to the tonic, similar to how certain neighbors might create excitement or anticipation before returning home.
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