Now let's apply what we learned about steps to music.
We use the terms HALF STEP and WHOLE STEP a lot in music. This is where a little bit more math comes in.
HALF STEP
The definition of a HALF STEP is simple. If you play a note on the piano, the next higher note or lower note (following the note order) is a half step away. Yes, higher or lower!
If you were asked to “Play a note a half step higher than 8,” you would play the note “9”.
If you were asked to “Play a note a half step lower than 3,” you would play the note “2”.
If you were asked to “Play a note a half step lower than 11,” you would play the note “10”.
If you were asked to “Play a note a half step higher than 4,” you would play the note “5”.
If you were asked to “Play a note a half step higher than 5,” you would play the note “6”.
If you were asked to “Play a note a half step lower than 13,” you would play the note “12”.
Pretty simple right?
WHOLE STEP
A WHOLE STEP is also simple. A whole step is 2 half steps.
YES!!!
2 HALF STEPS = 1 WHOLE STEP
Let's look at the piano again and use whole steps.
If you were asked to “Play a note a whole step higher than 8,” you would play the note “10”.
If you were asked to “Play a note a whole step lower than 3,” you would play the note “1”.
If you were asked to “Play a note a whole step lower than 11,” you would play the note “9”.
If you were asked to “Play a note a whole step higher than 4,” you would play the note “6”.
If you were asked to “Play a note a whole step lower than 13,” you would play the note “11”.
That's all there is to it.