Semitone (interval size measure): Difference between revisions
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A '''semitone''' is one half of a [[tone]]. It is most commonly used as an [[interval size measure|unit of interval size]] with a value equal to [[12edo|1\12]], exactly 100{{cent}}. An exact semitone in [[just intonation]] would be expressed as sqrt([[9/8]]), with a value of about 102{{c}}. | A '''semitone''' is one half of a [[tone]]. It is most commonly used as an [[interval size measure|unit of interval size]] with a value equal to [[12edo|1\12]], exactly 100{{cent}}. An exact semitone in [[just intonation]] would be expressed as sqrt([[9/8]]), with a value of about 102{{c}}. | ||
{{Infobox interval|Ratio=\sqrt[12]{2}|Name=Semitone|Cents=100}} | |||
Besides the unmodified semitone, used as an interval size measure, we also speak of the [[diatonic semitone]], or minor second, and the [[chromatic semitone]], or augmented unison, of a diatonic scale. These are equated ([[enharmonic equivalence|enharmonically equivalent]]) if and only if 12edo is used; for example, they are not the same thing in [[meantone]], where the diatonic semitone is larger than the chromatic semitone, or in [[Pythagorean tuning]], where the diatonic semitone is smaller instead. | Besides the unmodified semitone, used as an interval size measure, we also speak of the [[diatonic semitone]], or minor second, and the [[chromatic semitone]], or augmented unison, of a diatonic scale. These are equated ([[enharmonic equivalence|enharmonically equivalent]]) if and only if 12edo is used; for example, they are not the same thing in [[meantone]], where the diatonic semitone is larger than the chromatic semitone, or in [[Pythagorean tuning]], where the diatonic semitone is smaller instead. | ||
Revision as of 20:05, 9 April 2025
A semitone is one half of a tone. It is most commonly used as an unit of interval size with a value equal to 1\12, exactly 100 ¢. An exact semitone in just intonation would be expressed as sqrt(9/8), with a value of about 102 ¢.
| Interval information |
Besides the unmodified semitone, used as an interval size measure, we also speak of the diatonic semitone, or minor second, and the chromatic semitone, or augmented unison, of a diatonic scale. These are equated (enharmonically equivalent) if and only if 12edo is used; for example, they are not the same thing in meantone, where the diatonic semitone is larger than the chromatic semitone, or in Pythagorean tuning, where the diatonic semitone is smaller instead.
See also
- Semitone (disambiguation page)