Semitone

A semitone, also called a half step or a half tone, is the smallest musical interval commonly used in Western tonal music, and it is considered the most dissonant.

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In music theory, a distinction is made between a diatonic semitone (a minor second, e.g. from C to D) and a chromatic semitone (an augmented unison, e.g. from C to C). A diatonic semitone may further be distinguished into a major diatonic semitone, 15:14 or 119 cents, and a minor diatonic semitone, 17:16 or 105 cents. The minor diatonic semitone may be derived from the harmonic series as the interval between the sixteenth and seventeenth harmonics.

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In twelve-tone equal temperament all semitones are equal in size. Any equal-tempered interval can be defined in terms of an appropriate number of semitones (e.g. an octave is 12 semitones wide). In other tuning systems the term "semitone" refers to a family of intervals which may vary both in size and name.

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The diminished unison also exists, being the inverse of the augmented octave, though some theorists reject the term.

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. Here, middle C is followed by D, which is a tone 100 cents sharper than C, and then by both tones together.

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Musical interval: REDIRECT interval (music)...

Dissonant: redirect Consonance and dissonance...

Music theory: Music theory is a field of study that describes the elements of music and includes the development and application of methods for analyzing and composing music, and the interrelationship between the notation of music and performance practice. Broadly, theory may include any statement, belief, or con...