Ditonic scale

This article is about the musical scale with only two pitches. For the term in musical temperament, see Pythagorean comma. For the scale containing ditones, see Pentatonic scale § Hemitonic and anhemitonic. For the common musical scale, see diatonic scale.
Example of a ditonic scale.[1] Playⓘ

A ditonic scale is a musical scale or mode with two notes per octave. This is in contrast to a heptatonic (seven-note) scale such as the major scale and minor scale, or a dodecatonic (chromatic 12-note ) scale, both common in modern Western music. Ethnomusicologist Bruno Nettl noted that ditonic scales were common in many parts of the world but often limited to specific music types, such as children's songs, with the exception of some tribal societies.[2]

  1. ^ Bruno Nettl; Helen Myers (1976). Folk Music in the United States: An Introduction. Wayne State University Press. p. 40. ISBN 0-8143-1557-7.
  2. ^ Bruno Nettl (1960). Cheremis Musical Styles. Folklore Series. Vol. 14. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. p. 10. hdl:2027/inu.30000004149047.