How many semitones in a half step

Side note: This is where we get a chromatic scale from. A chromatic scale has twelve notes in and each note is a semitone higher than the last. These are when you have a semitone interval where the two notes are different letter names. On a piano, chromatic and diatonic semitones are exactly the same notes, but, when you write them on a stave they are written differently.

Chromatic and diatonic semitones are the same notes but are an example of what we call enharmonic equivalents. An enharmonic equivalent is just another name for the same note. With the example of E to F , E to F is a semitone, and F to F is another semitone and two semitones are equal to a tone. With the example of C to D, C to C is a semitone and C to D is another semitone and two semitones are equal to a tone.

You can move two half steps to the left as well. A key is skipped every time. A whole tone can be from white to black, black to black, black to white or white to white key. There are two types of semitones. They are chromatic and diatonic semitones. When a semitone contains two notes with the same letter name, it is chromatic. For examples, C to C and D to D sharp are chromatic. When the two notes have different letter names, example, C to D flat and D to E flat, the semitone is diatonic.

Chromatic and diatonic semitones, such as C to C and C to Db, respectively, sound the same. They are played with the same keys on your piano. Hence, C and Db are enharmonic equivalents. The only difference is that they have different note names. C is a chromatic semitone higher than C and Db is a diatonic semitone higher than C.

The half steps have been marked out, always between E-F and B-C, up or down:. The power of semi tones! Listen to the semi tones starting each of these famous compositions:.

Curious about note values and rests? Note values are how long a note or rest is. Learn how to count the beats in music notes and to understand rhythm in music. The key signature tells what scale a piece is made from. It's what you see as the combination of either sharps or flats in the beginning of a music staff. All Rights Reserved. Online Piano Coach. You might like these.

See here answered music theory questions from visitors to this site. The Key Signature The key signature tells what scale a piece is made from.