microtonality
/ˌmaɪkroʊtoʊˈnæləti/
noun
- The quality or practice of using musical intervals smaller than a half step (semitone) in composition or performance.
- Learning about microtonality opened up new possibilities for the young musician.
- The composer's use of microtonality gave the symphony an eerie, otherworldly feel.
- Microtonality is a key feature of many traditional Middle Eastern music scales.