Let’s have a mini-discussion about Tone and Semitone before moving on.
Semitone (Half Note)
In conventional music, a Semitone is the smallest step you can make between notes consecutively. The GIF below is a great example of moving in semitones on a piano:
A quick tip: Movement via Semitones is called Chromatic. So when you hear musicians mentioning something being ‘Chromatic’, they are talking Semitones.
Another quick tip: Semitones are also known as the Minor 2nd interval.
Tone (Whole Note)
English majors, you’re up! If ‘semi’ means half and a Semitone describes 1 step, what is a Tone? 2 steps! Tones move via every other note. Check the GIF below:
Fun fact: You are seeing the Whole-Tone scale above. The name of the scale is derived from being comprised of only tones, and it is commonly used in dream sequence sound effects in cartoons.
A quick tip: Tones are also known as the Major 2nd interval.
Sharps ♯ and Flats ♭
Now that we know what semitones are, we can easily explain the concept of Sharps and Flats, denoted by the symbols ♯ and ♭ respectively.
To sharpen a note in music is to raise it by a semitone. For example, C# is a semitone higher than C.
To flatten a note in music is to lower it by a semitone. For example, Db is a semitone lower than D.
The attentive ones will realize that C# and Db are the same note. We call them enharmonic
When playing in a band, you will also hear musicians describing something as ‘sharp’ or ‘flat’ like a guitar string’s tuning. In this context, they are describing something that is pitched higher or lower than the desired pitch
Why do you need Semitones and Tones?
Semitones and Tones will lead us to the next musical concept, Major Scale. It will also help to build your vocabulary and have meaningful exchanges with other musicians.