Whole Step

Whole Step: In music theory, a whole step is an interval spanning two semitones or half steps. It’s equivalent to skipping one piano key, whether black or white, between two notes.

Context and Significance

The whole step is fundamental in constructing scales and modes, influencing melody and harmony. It’s pivotal in forming major and minor scales, commonly utilized across various genres including classical, jazz, and pop music. In instruments like the piano and guitar, mastering whole steps is crucial for scale exercises and improvisation.

Historical Background

The concept of a whole step has been integral to Western music theory since the development of the diatonic scale system. This system, which emerged in ancient Greece, laid the groundwork for much of Western music, defining tonal relationships that continue to be essential in modern music composition and education.

Examples

In the C major scale, the transition from C to D is a whole step. Similarly, from E to F# in the key of D major is another example. Composers like Mozart and Beethoven often utilized whole steps to create melodic and harmonic variety, evident in their symphonies and sonatas.

Related Terms:

Half Step: An interval of one semitone or the smallest distance between two notes in Western music.
Interval: The distance between two pitches, measured in whole and half steps.
Diatonic Scale: A seven-note scale comprising five whole steps and two half steps.

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