Definition
Pandiatonicism is the free use of all the notes of a diatonic scale (generally the “white keys”) without the rules of functional tonality: no obligation to resolve dissonances, no T–S–D progressions, freely built chords (seconds, fourths, stacked triads). The term was coined by Nicolas Slonimsky (in the book Music Since 1900, 1937).
How it sounds
Consonant but “open,” bright, often static. The notes of the scale are all “good”; the dissonance is gentle because it stays diatonic (seconds and sevenths between notes of the same scale).
Techniques
- Chords by stacking diatonic triads: C + G (C E G B D), C + Dm (C D E F A), F + G (F G A B C D).
- Chords of diatonic seconds (white-key clusters): C D E, E F G, G A B C.
- Ostinatos of a few diatonic notes layered at different speeds.
- Diatonic melodies over pedals and non-functional harmonies.
- Bass that does not follow the roots: the bass is a voice like the others.
Examples
- Igor Stravinsky: many pieces from the neoclassical period (Pulcinella, Symphony of Psalms) and passages of the Rite.
- Aaron Copland, Appalachian Spring (1944): the introduction superimposes A major and E major triads in a suspended diatonic harmony; the “American” color of open spaces.
- Steve Reich, Music for 18 Musicians (1976): pulses of superimposed diatonic chords; minimalism is strongly pandiatonic.
- Philip Glass, Arvo Pärt (in part), a great deal of ambient and new age music.
Pandiatonicism in pop and film
- “add9,” “sus2,” and “6/9” chord pads that move without cadences: Coldplay, Sigur Rós, M83, and a lot of trailer music.
- “American” soundtracks (heroism, landscapes): superimposed tonic and dominant triads (C + G) in the brass and strings.
- Lo-fi, chillhop, and ambient: voicings full of seconds, no dominant.
Useful pandiatonic chords (C major)
| Descriptive name | Notes | Color |
|---|---|---|
| C(add9) | C D E G | open |
| C6/9 | C D E G A | pentatonic, bright |
| Cmaj9 | C E G B D | soft |
| G/C (C + G) | C G B D | “tonic-dominant” together |
| Dm/C | C D F A | suspended |
| F/C with G | C F G A | pandiatonic “sus” |
Producer exercise
- Set the C major scale in the Scale Helper of the FL Studio Piano roll (it highlights the notes of the scale).
- Write 4 chords of 5 notes each using only notes of the scale, without worrying about the names; always keep a second in the voicing.
- Put a C or F pedal underneath for 8 bars.
- Add a harp or pluck ostinato (C – E – G – D in eighth notes) that repeats: you have a pandiatonic “cinematic” bed.
Related topics
Clusters, polytonality, impressionist harmony, advanced pedal point, harmony for film.