Semitones
Definition
Semitones refer to the smallest interval in Western music, equivalent to one half step on a keyboard or fretboard. They are used to measure the distance between two adjacent notes.
Analogy
Think of semitones as tiny steps on a musical staircase. Just like taking small steps helps you climb up or down a staircase, semitones help us navigate between adjacent notes in music.
Related terms
Whole Tones: Whole tones are intervals that consist of two semitones. They are equivalent to one whole step on a keyboard or fretboard.
Chromatic Scale: The chromatic scale is a sequence of all twelve pitches in Western music, including both the white and black keys on a piano.
Enharmonic Equivalents: Enharmonic equivalents are different notations for the same pitch. For example, C# (C sharp) and Db (D flat) represent the same note but have different names.
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