tonality

[ toh-nal-i-tee ]

/ toʊˈnæl ɪ ti /

Music.

the sum of relations, melodic and harmonic, existing between the tones of a scale or musical system.
a particular scale or system of tones; a key.

(in painting, graphics, etc.) the system of tones or tints, or the color scheme, of a picture.

the quality of tones.

Origin of tonality

First recorded in 1830–40; tonal + -ity

to·nal·i·tive, adjective non·to·nal·i·ty, noun

ton-force, ton-mile, ton-up, tonal, tonalist, tonality, tonawanda, tonbridge, tondo, tone, tone arm

Thirdly, Chopin was to some extent affected by the tonality of his native music.

Studies in Modern Music, Second Series |W. H. Hadow
It is necessary therefore to collect the scanty notices which we possess bearing upon the tonality of Greek music.

The Modes of Ancient Greek Music |David Binning Monro
The tonality rocks between F major to B flat major and G minor.

Handel |Romain Rolland
In his compositions in Grieg-ton Smith has seized the fascinating looseness of the Griegorian tonality and its whimsicality.

Contemporary American Composers |Rupert Hughes

We have seen that this tonality of the watch dog's cries is competent to indicate that a person is coming to the house.

Scientific American Supplement, No. 841, February 13, 1892 |Various

tonality

/ (təʊˈnælɪtɪ) /

music

the actual or implied presence of a musical key in a composition
the system of major and minor keys prevalent in Western music since the decline of modesCompare atonality

the overall scheme of colours and tones in a painting