Félhangok

Félhangok, in Hungarian musical terminology, refers to the half-steps or semitones within a musical scale. These are the smallest intervals commonly used in Western music theory. In a diatonic scale, such as a major or minor scale, there are typically two half-step intervals between scale degrees. For example, in the C major scale, the half-steps occur between E and F, and between B and C. The other intervals are whole steps.

The presence and placement of half-steps are crucial in defining the characteristic sound and mood of different scales. Major scales, with their specific pattern of whole and half steps, generally sound bright and happy, while minor scales, due to their different arrangement of intervals, tend to sound more somber or melancholic. The chromatic scale, composed entirely of half-steps, creates a sense of tension and chromaticism as it moves through all twelve notes of the octave.

Understanding félhangok is fundamental for musicians learning to play, compose, or analyze music. It influences melody construction, chord building, and harmonic progressions. The precise placement of these small intervals is what differentiates one key from another and contributes to the rich tapestry of musical expression. In Hungarian musical pedagogy, the term félhangok is consistently used to denote these essential small intervals.