A half step (or “semitone”) is the distance from one key on the keyboard to the next adjacent key.
A semitone (or “half step”) is the distance from one key on the keyboard to the next adjacent key.
Key 1 to Key 2 is a half step since they are next to each other.
Key 1 to Key 2 is a semitone since they are next to each other.
A half step is not always from a white key to a black key.
A semitone is not always from a white key to a black key.
In this example, Key 1 and Key 2 are still next to each other.
A whole step (or “whole tone” or simply “tone”) is the same distance as two half steps.
A whole tone (or “whole step” or simply “tone”) is the same distance as two half steps.
Key 1 to Key 3 is a whole step.
Key 1 to Key 3 is a whole tone.
Key 1 to Key 2 is the first half step. Key 2 to Key 3 is the second half step.
Key 1 to Key 2 is the first semitone. Key 2 to Key 3 is the second semitone.
An accidental is a sign used to raise or lower the pitch of a note.
The first accidentals that we will discuss are the flat and the sharp.
The flat lowers a note by a half step while the sharp raises a note by a half step.
The flat lowers a note by a semitone while the sharp raises a note by a semitone.
When typing, you can use a # to represent a sharp and a b to represent a flat.
Let's examine the black key in between C and D.
This key could be called C# since it is a half step above C.
This key could be called C# since it is a semitone above C.
It could also be called Db since it is a half step below D.
It could also be called Db since it is a semitone below D.
Another example would be E and F.
E could also be called Fb since it is half step below F.
E could also be called Fb since it is semitone below F.
Likewise, F could be called E#.
Whenever a certain pitch has multiple names, it is called an enharmonic spelling.
Next, let's discuss the double flat and the double sharp.
While flats and sharps alter a note by a half step, the double flat and double sharp alter a note by a whole step.
While flats and sharps alter a note by a semitone, the double flat and double sharp alter a note by a whole tone.
When typing, you can use a x to represent a double sharp and a bb to represent a double flat.
For example, both D and Ebb have the same pitch since you can reach D by going a whole step (or two half steps) down from E.
For example, both D and Ebb have the same pitch since you can reach D by going a whole tone (or two semitones) down from E.
D also sounds the same as Cx since it is a whole step above C.
D also sounds the same as Cx since it is a whole tone above C.
Finally, a natural cancels out any accidental and returns a note to its original white key.
We will learn more about naturals in an upcoming lesson.