Half Steps and Whole Steps
Benjamin Wright
7 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This AP Music Theory study guide covers half steps and whole steps, how to measure and name intervals (including major, minor, perfect, augmented, and diminished), interval recognition by ear, and consonant vs. dissonant intervals (including the tritone). It also provides practice questions and exam tips.
#AP Music Theory: Intervals - Your Ultimate Review 🎶
Hey there, future AP Music Theory master! Let's get you prepped and confident for your exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the test. Let's make sure everything clicks!
#Half Steps and Whole Steps: The Building Blocks 🧱
#Chromatic Scale
- Imagine playing every note on a piano, black and white, in order: A-Bb-B-C-C#-D-Eb-E-F-F#-G-G#-A. This is a chromatic scale.
Every note in a chromatic scale is a half step apart.
- Half Step: The smallest distance between two notes on a keyboard. For example, C to C# or E to F.
#Whole Step
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A whole step is equal to two half steps.
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Example: C to D or E to F#.
Think of a piano keyboard: a half step is moving to the very next key, and a whole step is skipping one key.
Caption: Visualizing half and whole steps on a piano keyboard.
#Intervals: Measuring the Distance 📏
#Naming Intervals
- An interval is the distance between two pitches.
- Size: The number (2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.) comes from the space between the letter names (e.g., C to E is a 3rd).
- Quality: Refers to the type of interval (major, minor, perfect, etc.).
Intervals are usually considered within an octave, but you might hear about 9ths or 10ths.
#Types of Intervals
- Major Intervals (M): Found in major scales (M2, M3, M6, M7).
- Example: C to E is a Major 3rd (M3).
- Perfect Intervals (P): 4th, 5th, and octave in a major scale.
- Example: C to G is a Perfect 5th (P5).
- Minor Intervals (m): One half step smaller than a ma...
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