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Semitone: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽถ
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semitone

 

[ หˆsษ›mษชtoสŠn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

music theory

A semitone is the smallest musical interval commonly used in Western music, equal to one twelfth of an octave. It is the interval between two adjacent keys on a piano keyboard, such as C and C#, or E and F. Semitones are essential for constructing scales and chords, creating melodies, and enhancing musical expression. This interval helps to define the tonal structure of music and is crucial in modulation between different keys.

Synonyms

half step, minor second.

Examples of usage

  • The distance between E and F is a semitone.
  • In this scale, every second note is a semitone apart.
  • You can hear the difference in pitch between a whole tone and a semitone.
  • The chromatic scale consists entirely of semitones.

Translations

Translations of the word "semitone" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น semitom

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคฐเฅเคงเคธเฅเคตเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Halbton

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ setengah nada

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ััƒะฑั‚ะพะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ pรณล‚ton

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅŠ้Ÿณ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท semiton

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ semitono

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yarฤฑm ton

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐ˜์Œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ุตู ู†ุบู…ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pลฏltรณn

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ pรดltรณn

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅŠ้Ÿณ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ polton

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hรกlftรณn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะฐั€ั‚ั‹ ั‚ะพะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒœแƒแƒฎแƒ”แƒ•แƒแƒ แƒ˜ แƒขแƒแƒœแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yarฤฑm ton

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ semitono

Etymology

The term 'semitone' originates from the Medieval Latin word 'semitonus', which is a combination of 'semi-', meaning half, and 'tonus', meaning tone. This reflects its nature as half of a whole tone, a fundamental concept in music theory that was developed during the Middle Ages. As musical notation and theory became more sophisticated in Europe, the concept of the semitone was formalized, particularly during the Renaissance. The semitone plays a crucial role in the development of music scales and harmony, and its understanding has been integral for composers and musicians throughout history. The term has since been adopted globally in various music traditions, signifying its universal importance in the study of music.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,511 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.