What does the term "tonality" refer to in music?

The term "tonality" refers to a system organized around a central note, often called the tonic. In musical contexts, tonality involves the use of scales and chords that center around this tonic note, creating a framework within which composers and musicians can create melodies and harmonies. This central note provides a sense of stability and resolution in music, allowing listeners to perceive a hierarchy of pitches. Different tonalities can evoke various emotional responses and establish different musical atmospheres.

In contrast, rhythmic structure pertains to the timing of musical events and how they are laid out over time, rather than focusing on pitch and harmony. Harmony, while related to tonality, specifically refers to the combination of different pitches sounded simultaneously rather than the overarching framework of a piece. Lastly, musical texture relates to how many layers of sound are heard simultaneously and how they interact, distinct from the concept of tonality which centers on a specific organization of pitch.