Tonality is a phenomenon that is responsible for our perceptions and expectations of music. Schleuter compares tonality to “glue,” implying that it allows to make connections in music, transforming pitches and rhythms into continuous musical thoughts and ideas. Tonality is a learned ability that is obtained by applying tonal memory. Tonal memory is basically the ability to distinguish pitches from each other, allowing us to remember the contour of melodies and mimic them. When listening to a piece of music for the first time, the sense of tonality will analyze what is heard, helping to create expectations of what lays next. A good sense of tonality is immensely beneficial to musicians. In instrumental music it allows us to distinguish modes.
