What does Semitone mean in music?

Semitone means "A half step — the smallest interval in Western music".

What type of musical term is Semitone?

Semitone is a theory concepts term — see the Theory Practice glossary for the rest of the theory concepts word list.

What grade is Semitone tested in?

Semitone first appears at Grade 1 in ABRSM, AMEB and Trinity music theory exams, and stays in the syllabus for every grade above that.

Music theory · Musical terms · Theory concepts

Semitone — meaning in music

Semitone is a musical term meaning A half step — the smallest interval in Western music. It is a theory concepts marking, first tested at Grade 1 in ABRSM, AMEB and Trinity music theory exams. From that grade on, every written paper expects you to know it on sight.

Definition

A half step — the smallest interval in Western music

Theory conceptsFirst tested: Grade 1

Translations

French	Un demi-pas — le plus petit intervalle de la musique occidentale
German	Ein Halbton – das kleinste Intervall in der westlichen Musik
Italian	Mezzo passo: l'intervallo più piccolo nella musica occidentale
Spanish	Medio paso: el intervalo más pequeño de la música occidental
Chinese	半音——西方音乐中最小的音程

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All theory concepts terms

Allemande Alto range Anacrusis Answer phrase Arco Bar line Bass clef Bass range Binary form Bourrée Cello clef Cello range Chromatic semitone Compound interval Courante Crotchet (US name)Demisemiquaver Diatonic semitone Dominant Dominant (degree)Double bar line Double bass clef Double flat (𝄫)Double sharp (𝄪)Doubling rule Duplet Final bar line Flat Gavotte Gigue Harmonic minor scale Imperfect cadence Interrupted cadence Inversion of a 3rd Inversion of a 4th Inversion of a 5th Leading note Leger line Mediant Melodic minor scale (ascending)Melodic minor scale (descending)Minim (US name)Minuet Modulate to the dominant Modulate to the relative minor Modulation Natural Natural minor scale Parallel 5ths Parallel 8ves Perfect cadence Pivot chord Pizzicato Plagal cadence Quaver (US name)Question phrase Real sequence Relative minor of C major Relative minor of F major Relative minor of G major Repeat sign Sarabande Semibreve (US name)Semiquaver (US name)Semitone Sequence Sharp Slur Soprano range Stave (staff)Subdominant Subdominant (degree)Submediant Supertonic Tenor range Ternary form Tie Tonal sequence Tone Tonic Tonic (degree)Treble clef Triplet Viola clef Viola range Violin clef Violin range Voice crossing Voice overlap