tone cluster: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “tone cluster” mean?
A group of adjacent musical notes played simultaneously, often creating a dissonant sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group of adjacent musical notes played simultaneously, often creating a dissonant sound.
In broader musical contexts, it refers to dense groupings of tones used for texture, atonal effects, or in experimental compositions, extending to electronic and acoustic music.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; the term is identical in both British and American English.
Connotations
Equally technical and associated with modern or experimental music in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties due to its specialized musical nature.
Grammar
How to Use “tone cluster” in a Sentence
tone cluster of [adjacent notes]cluster of tonesadjacent tone cluster in [composition]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tone cluster” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The composer chose to cluster the tones for a more avant-garde effect.
American English
- The musician clustered the tones to achieve a unique sonic texture.
adverb
British English
- The notes were arranged cluster-wise to form a tone cluster.
American English
- She played the sounds in a clustered manner, creating a tone cluster.
adjective
British English
- The piece included a tone-cluster passage that was quite innovative.
American English
- His style is known for tone-cluster techniques in contemporary music.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable
Academic
Common in music theory, composition studies, and musicology papers
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation
Technical
Frequently used in musical performance, criticism, and analysis contexts
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tone cluster”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tone cluster”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tone cluster”
- Using 'tone cluster' interchangeably with 'chord'; chords have harmonic functions, while tone clusters do not.
- Assuming tone clusters must be dissonant; they can vary in sound but always involve adjacent notes.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A tone cluster is a musical technique where several adjacent notes are played at once, often producing a dense, dissonant sound common in modern and experimental music.
While both involve multiple notes, chords typically have specific harmonic functions and intervals, whereas tone clusters are atonal, emphasize adjacency, and lack traditional harmonic roles.
Tone clusters became prominent in the 20th century, especially in avant-garde, atonal, and contemporary classical music, as well as in some jazz and electronic genres.
Yes, tone clusters can be performed on various instruments, such as strings or winds, by playing adjacent pitches, though they are most easily executed on keyboard instruments like the piano.
A group of adjacent musical notes played simultaneously, often creating a dissonant sound.
Tone cluster is usually technical in register.
Tone cluster: in British English it is pronounced /təʊn ˈklʌstə/, and in American English it is pronounced /toʊn ˈklʌstər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cluster of grapes bunched closely together, but replace grapes with musical tones for a dense sound group.
Conceptual Metaphor
A thicket or swarm of sounds where individual tones merge into a collective mass.
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of a tone cluster?