Ditone

/ˈdaɪtoʊn/ noun

Definition

In music, an interval consisting of two whole tones, which equals a major third; also spelled ditone in older musical texts.

Etymology

From Greek di- (two) plus tonos (tone, pitch). The term was used in ancient Greek musical theory to describe specific intervals and was adopted into medieval and Renaissance music terminology to classify pitch relationships.

Kelly Says

A ditone (two whole tones) creates what we'd call a major third in modern music—it's that sweet, bright interval you hear at the beginning of 'When the Saints Go Marching In.' Ancient Greek musicians were scientifically mapping out harmony millennia before we had modern acoustics!

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