semitone

Everyday

(music) The smallest step between two notes in Western music, such as from C to C sharp, or from E to F; half of a tone. tree →

In the lessons

In music lessons semitones are the steps between neighbouring keys on a piano, black or white. Two semitones make one tone (a whole step). Sharps raise a note by a semitone; flats lower it by a semitone. An octave has 12 semitones. In maths-and-music puzzles counting semitones is like counting on a number line.

Examples

• From C to C sharp is one semitone. tree →
• E to F is a semitone, with no black key between. tree →
• Two semitones make a whole tone. tree →
• There are twelve semitones in an octave. tree →
• The singer went up a semitone for the last chorus. tree →
• A sharp raises a note by a semitone. tree →

Note

Countable: a semitone, semitones. US English often says "half step" (and "whole step" for a tone). "Semi" means half. Number fact: 12 semitones = 1 octave = 6 tones.