Semitone

Definition:

A semitone is the smallest musical interval in modern Western music (or, the smallest distance between notes in the chromatic and diatonic scales*). There are two semitones in one whole tone.
* A semitone is always a half step; however, it can be called either diatonic or chromatic:

• Diatonic semitones affect two different note-names; the distance between F and G-flat (pictured) is a diatonic semitone.
• Chromatic semitones name the same note; the distance between A and A-sharp.

Also Known As:

• half step; minor second
• semitono; seconda minore (It)
• demi-ton; seconde mineure (Fr)
• Halbton; kleine Sekunde (Ger)

^{Musical Symbols:}

_{■ Staff & Barlines
■ The Grand Staff
■ Key Signatures
■ Time Signatures
■ Note Lengths
■ Dotted Notes
■ Music Rests
■ Tempo Commands
■ Accidentals
■ Articulation
■ Dynamics & Volume
■ 8va & Octave Commands
■ Repeat Signs
■ Segno & Coda Signs
■ Pedal Marks
■ Piano Chords
■ Trills
■ Turns
■ Tremolos
■ Glissando
■ Mordents}
Beginner Piano Lessons
▪  Notes of the Piano Keys
▪  The Point Of Double-Sharps
▪  Finding Middle C on the Piano
▪  Essential Piano Fingering
▪  Comparing Major & Minor Chords
Getting Started on Keyboards
▪  Sitting Correctly at the Keys
▪  Playing Piano vs. Electric Keyboard
▪  How to Buy a Used Piano
Piano Chords
▪  Chord Types & Symbols in Sheet Music
▪  Root Notes & Chord Inversion
▪  Diminished Chords & Dissonance
▪  Essential Piano Chord Fingering
Piano Care
▪  Everyday Piano Care
▪  Safely Whiten Your Piano Keys
▪  When to Tune a Piano
▪  Easy-to-Spot Signs of Piano Damage
▪  Piano Room Temps & Humidity Levels
Piano Recitals & Performing
▪  What to Eat & Drink Before a Performance
▪  Concert Etiquette for the Audience
▪  Warming Up for a Piano Performance
▪  Overcoming Mistakes On Stage
♫ Musical Quizzes!
● Identify the Piano Keys
● Key Signature Quiz
● Note Length & Rest Quiz (U.S. or U.K. English)
● Grand Staff Notes Quiz
● Time Signature & Rhythm Quiz
Musical Articulation:
◦ staccato
◦ tie
◦ (rfz) rinforzando
◦ arpeggiato
◦ accentato
Volume Commands & Symbols:
◦ (mf) mezzo forte
◦ (sfz) sforzando
◦ diminuendo
◦ al niente
◦ (fp) fortepiano
Common French Musical Terms:
◦ à l’aise
◦ doucement
◦ en ralentissant
◦ mi-doux
◦ très vite
German Musical Commands:
◦ anschwellend
◦ lebhaft
◦ geschwind
◦ fröhlich
◦ schnell
_{Illustrated Piano Chords:
Abmaj ▪ Abma7 ▪ Abma9  | Abmin ▪ Abm7 ▪ Abm9  | Abdim ▪ Ab°7  | Abaug ▪ Ab+7  | Absus2 ▪ Absus4}