Guitarists often throw around the word “tonality”. For example, “the guitarist in Band X has a great tonality”, or “with that equipment he gets a great blues/rock tonality”.
No.
Tonality does not mean “tone” or “timbre”. Tonality is the key you’re playing in. So if you say, “you have a great tonality”, that would be like noticing that someone is playing in the key of C Major and complimenting them on playing in that key. Don’t believe me? Look it up.
Why do guitarists use the word “tonality” that way, when it’s easier, and at least somewhat more accurate, to say “tone”? No idea, but I’d have to guess that we like the word “tonality” because it sounds more technical and impressive.
Non-guitar musicians are more likely to know the word “tonality” (and laugh at us guitarists), so let’s use the word correctly, if at all. If we do that, two things could happen – not only will we appear smarter, but other musicians may even be tricked into thinking that we are musically educated. Well, let’s not get carried away – maybe one of the two.
