Reference · Solfeggio and music theory

Solfeggio

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♪Basic cadencesChords♪The circle of fifthsKeys and tonalities♪Diatonic intervalsIntervals♪Melodic dictationSolfeggio and ear training♪Phrases and periodsForms and practice♪Seventh chordsChords♪Sharps, flats and naturalsNotation basics♪Articulation and pedalForms and practice♪Chords and arpeggiosChords♪How to structure piano practiceForms and practice♪Dotted notesRhythm and meter♪First ear-training exercisesSolfeggio and ear training♪Ledger linesNotation basics♪Rhythmic dictationSolfeggio and ear training♪A sight-reading routineForms and practice♪Solfeggio and scale syllablesSolfeggio and ear training♪Staff lines and spacesNotation basics♪Syncopation basicsRhythm and meter♪Whole steps and half stepsKeys and tonalities♪Arpeggios and broken chordsChords♪Chord inversionsChords♪Interval inversionsIntervals♪Recognizing intervals by earIntervals♪Key signaturesKeys and tonalities♪The major scale and its stepsKeys and tonalities♪Natural, harmonic and melodic minorKeys and tonalities♪Rests and silence in musicRhythm and meter♪Rhythm and note valuesRhythm and meter♪Simple intervalsIntervals♪Time signatures: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8Rhythm and meter♪Triads and chord qualitiesChords♪Treble clef, bass clef and middle CNotation basics♪How to read the grand staffNotation basics♪Note names on the keyboardNotation basics
Level All BeginnerContinuingAdvanced
Beginner routeNotes→Rhythm→Keys→Intervals→Chords→Ear
CatalogKeys and tonalities

Whole steps and half steps

Grand staff
Grand staff

Whole steps and half steps

A half step is the closest distance between two neighboring piano keys. A whole step contains two half steps.

Count keys, not only black keys

Sometimes two white keys have a black key between them and sometimes they do not. Identify the distance rather than relying on key color.

Practice

  • Find two neighboring keys.
  • Play a half step up and down.
  • Combine two half steps and listen to a whole step.

Start slowly and use your ear to check what you have read.

Sources and licenses

  • Open Music Theory, Version 2 — Virtual Library of Virginia / contributing authorsCC BY-SA 4.0; adapted explanation with attribution
  • Theory Lessons — musictheory.netExternal reference; no text or images copied

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