Polytonality

Not to be confused with Polyphony.

Polytonality (also polyharmony[1]) is the musical use of more than one key simultaneously. Bitonality is the use of only two different keys at the same time. Polyvalence or polyvalency is the use of more than one harmonic function, from the same key, at the same time.[2]

Example of C- and F-sharp major chords together in Stravinsky's Petrushka (see: Petrushka chord)

Some examples of bitonality superimpose fully harmonized sections of music in different keys.

  1. ^ Cole and Schwartz 2012.
  2. ^ Leeuw 2005, 87.