Art & music · Grades 8–12
Counting semitones
Study guide for Grades 8 to 12: 2 worked examples and 2 practice questions. A semitone (half step) is the smallest step on a piano keyboard. E to F and B to C are semitones with no black key between them.
Rule and key idea
A semitone (half step) is the smallest step on a piano keyboard. E to F and B to C are semitones with no black key between them.
C C♯ D D♯ E F F♯ G G♯ A A♯ B C
Worked examples
How many semitones (half steps) are there going up from F♯ to the next E above it?
F♯ → G → G♯ → A → A♯ → B → C → C♯ → D → D♯ → E = 10
10
How many semitones (half steps) are there going up from D to the next F above it?
D → D♯ → E → F = 3
3
Try two questions
How many semitones (half steps) are there going up from D to the next F♯ above it?
How many semitones (half steps) are there going up from B to the next D♯ above it?
Answers and reasoning
Answers and marking notes
- 4
D → D♯ → E → F → F♯ = 4
- 4
B → C → C♯ → D → D♯ = 4
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