Which term means 'No specific key or tonality'?

Which term means 'No specific key or tonality'?

• A. Adagio
• B. Atonality
• C. Arpeggio
• D. Animato

Answer: (B)

The idea here is about tonality and key centers in music. Atonality describes music that lacks a definite key or tonal center, so there isn’t a home pitch around which chords and melodies gravitate. This approach treats pitches more freely, often avoiding traditional chord progressions that lead to a tonic. The other terms don’t describe absence of a key: Adagio is a slow tempo marking, Arpeggio refers to playing the notes of a chord in succession, and Animato means played with liveliness or animated character. So a piece without a specific key or tonality is described as atonality.

The idea here is about tonality and key centers in music. Atonality describes music that lacks a definite key or tonal center, so there isn’t a home pitch around which chords and melodies gravitate. This approach treats pitches more freely, often avoiding traditional chord progressions that lead to a tonic.

The other terms don’t describe absence of a key: Adagio is a slow tempo marking, Arpeggio refers to playing the notes of a chord in succession, and Animato means played with liveliness or animated character. So a piece without a specific key or tonality is described as atonality.