pentatonism

pentatonism [pen-tuh-toh-niz-uh m, -to-] Word Origin noun Music.

1. the use of a five-tone scale.

Also pen·ta·ton·i·cism [pen-tuh-ton-uh-siz-uh m] /ˌpɛn təˈtɒn əˌsɪz əm/. Origin of pentatonism 1965–70; pentaton(ic) + -ism