half step

See also: half-step

English

Each of the keys on a piano (black or white) is one semitone higher than the one immediately to the left.

Noun

half step (plural half steps)

1. (music, US) the distance between two tones whose frequency ratio is $2^{1/12}$, or about 1.059 or 18/17

Synonyms

• semitone

Usage notes

Seven semitones ($2^{7/12}$) makes a fifth, and 12 semitones (corresponding to a factor of 2) makes an octave.

Related terms

• whole step
• cent