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
Microtone
View all pitchterms →Any interval smaller than a semitone, used in various musical traditions and contemporary composition.
TemperamentA tuning system that determines how the twelve pitches within an octave are spaced.
TuningThe process of adjusting an instrument so its pitches match a chosen reference standard.
OvertoneA higher frequency that sounds simultaneously above a fundamental pitch, shaping the tone colour of a note.
IntervalThe distance in pitch between two notes.
Compare with similar terms
v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →