Semitone
The smallest interval in standard Western music
Category
intervals
Pronunciation
SEM-ee-tohn
Origin
Latin
Length
79 words · 1 min read
About Semitone
A semitone (or half step) is the distance between any two adjacent keys on a piano, whether white or black. Twelve semitones make up an octave.
More intervals terms
Compound Interval
View all intervalsterms →An interval wider than an octave, such as a ninth, tenth, or eleventh.
AugmentedAn interval that has been widened by one semitone beyond its major or perfect form.
ThirdAn interval spanning three diatonic scale degrees
Major SixthAn interval spanning nine semitones, often described as warm, open, and gently uplifting.
Minor ThirdAn interval spanning three semitones, often described as having a dark, melancholic, or tender quality.
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v1 · 09/04/2026Browse all terms →