Intonation
The accuracy with which a performer produces the correct pitch of each note.
Category
pitch
Pronunciation
/ɪntəˈneɪʃən/
Origin
Latin (intonare, to thunder)
Length
172 words · 1 min read
About Intonation
Intonation refers to how precisely a musician hits the intended pitch during performance. Good intonation means every note is in tune; poor intonation means notes drift sharp or flat.
More pitch terms
Transposing Instrument
View all pitchterms →An instrument whose notated pitch differs from the actual sounding pitch it produces.
Concert PitchThe internationally agreed standard tuning reference where A above middle C vibrates at 440 Hz.
Enharmonic EquivalentTwo notes that sound the same pitch but are written with different letter names, such as F-sharp and G-flat.
TemperamentA tuning system that determines how the twelve pitches within an octave are spaced.
MicrotoneAny interval smaller than a semitone, used in various musical traditions and contemporary composition.
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v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →