Tones and semitones
The very next key
On a piano, go from one key to the very next one. That step is a semitone, the smallest step there is. The next key can be black or white.
Two semitones make a tone
A tone is two semitones, with one key in between. C to D is a tone. C sharp sits between them. Most white keys next to each other are a tone apart.
Quick check
From one piano key to the very next one is:
E to F and B to C
Two pairs of white keys have no black key between them. So they are only a semitone apart: E to F and B to C. Every other pair of white keys is a tone apart.
Quick check
These notes are in C major. How far apart are they?
Remember
- Semitone: the very next key.
- Tone: two semitones, one key in between.
- E to F and B to C are semitones.
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