Japanese Conversation · Level 70
75 words
Japanese word
長調
Pronunciation
Romajichōchō
Meaning
- nounmajor key
Example
この曲は長調です。ko no kyoku wa chō chō de su
This piece is in a major key.
More examples
作曲家は最後の部分を長調に戻しました。sak kyoku ka wa sai go no bu bun o chō chō ni modo shi ma shi ta
The composer returned the final section to a major key.
Core concept
Presents a major scale as the framework around a central pitch, giving the music its major-key structure.
Common phrases
長調の曲chō chō no kyoku
a piece in a major key
長調に転調するchō chō ni ten chō su ru
modulate to a major key
長調で演奏するchō chō de en sō su ru
perform in a major key
Definition in Japanese
長音階をもとにして成り立つ調で、主音とその上の長三度を特徴とするもの。chō on kai o mo to ni shi te na ri ta tsu chō de shu on to so no ue no chō san do o toku chō to su ru mo no
Word origin
The musical term 長調 (chōchō) combines 長 (chō, "long") with 調 (chō, "tone or key"), using a Sino-Japanese compound to name the major key.
Usage tips
- English speakers often associate a major key with happiness, although music in a major key can express many different moods.
Opposites
- 短調tanchōminor keynoun