intonation
in-toh-NAY-shuhn
/ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən/
The accuracy of pitch or the state of being in tune when singing or playing an instrument.
Intonation refers to the active, real-time accuracy of pitch during a performance, whereas 'tuning' is the static adjustment made before playing.
The story behind the word. Intonation comes from the Medieval Latin 'intonare,' meaning 'to sing according to a tone.' This was formed from 'in-' (into) and 'tonus' (tone or pitch), which originally came from a Greek root meaning 'to stretch.' It originally referred to the opening chanting of a psalm before expanding to mean playing in tune.
Word relationships
- pitch accuracy: Pitch accuracy is a descriptive phrase, while intonation is the formal musical term for the quality of being in tune.
- cacophony: Cacophony is a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds, whereas poor intonation is specifically being slightly out of tune.
Commonly confused with
- timbre: Timbre is the unique quality or color of a sound (warm, bright), while intonation is strictly whether the pitch is mathematically correct.
Word family
- intonational (adjective): Relating to the accuracy of pitch.
- intonate (verb): To utter or play with a particular tone or pitch.
Collocations
- perfect intonation
- poor intonation
- correct one's intonation
Example sentences
- "The woodwind section struggled with their intonation during the cold concert." A review of an orchestral performance.
Memory hook
Think of 'in-tone-ation.' It is the act of keeping your notes 'in tone' (in tune) with the rest of the band. Intonation keeps your tone in line.
When not to use
Do not confuse this with 'intonation' in linguistics, which refers to the rise and fall of the voice in speech.
Fun facts
- String players must constantly adjust their intonation by shifting their fingers fractions of a millimeter, as temperature changes can cause the wood of their instruments to expand or contract.
Related words
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