What is diagetic in music?

In music, diagetic sound refers to sounds that originate from within the world of the film or narrative. These sounds are perceived as coming from the same physical space as the characters and are part of the story's sonic environment. Diegetic sounds include dialogue, sound effects, and music that emanate from sources within the scene, such as car engines, footsteps, conversations, musical performances, or background noises from the setting.

Diagetic sounds contribute to the overall realism and immersion of a scene by creating a natural soundscape that matches the onscreen events. They provide additional context, atmosphere, and storytelling elements without directly breaking the boundaries of the fictional world. In contrast, non-diagetic sounds are those that come from outside the depicted world, such as a musical score or added sound effects that emphasize or comment on the action but exist apart from the physical reality of the story.