Tones and semitones

The semitone: one fret

The distance from one note to the very next note is called a semitone. On the guitar, a semitone is one fret; on a piano, it is one key, black or white. From E to F is a semitone, and so is F to F♯. Twelve semitones take you from a note to the same note an octave higher, which is why the 12th fret repeats the open string.^[1][4]

The tone: two frets

Two semitones make a tone, sometimes called a whole step. On one string, a tone is two frets: from G to A, or from C to D. Most neighbouring letters are a tone apart. The two exceptions are the pairs you met in the last Lesson, B–C and E–F, which are only a semitone apart. Measuring in frets turns every distance into something you can count.^[2][3]

Practice: Measure with your frets

1. On the A string, play A (open) then B (2nd fret). Count the frets: a tone.
2. Play B then C (3rd fret). Count again: a semitone.
3. Find D and E on the same string and say whether they are a tone or a semitone apart.
4. Do the same for E and F.

1. 1.How many semitones make one tone?
   One semitoneThree semitonesTwo semitones✓ (correct answer)Four semitones

   ✓ Correct. A tone is two semitones: two frets on one string.

2. 2.How many frets separate E from the F just above it?
   Two frets✗One fret✓ (correct answer)Four fretsThree frets

   ✗ Not quite. E–F is one of the two pairs with no note between them, so it is a semitone: one fret.

3. 3.Which two pairs of neighbouring letters have no note between them?review
   A–B and D–EC–D and F–GG–A and D–EB–C and E–F✓ (correct answer)

   ✓ Correct. B–C and E–F are the two gaps with nothing in between, from Lesson 1.