Puolisävel

Puolisävel, also known as a semitone or half step, is the smallest interval in Western music. It represents the distance between two adjacent notes on a chromatic scale. For example, the distance between C and C# is a puolisävel, as is the distance between E and F. This interval is fundamental to the construction of scales and chords, and its precise definition is crucial for tuning and musical theory.

In Western music notation, a puolisävel is often represented by the difference between a natural note and a note that is either sharped or flattened by one semitone. For instance, moving from a white key to an adjacent black key on a piano keyboard illustrates a puolisävel. Conversely, the interval between two white keys that are not adjacent, such as C to D, is typically a whole step, which is equivalent to two puolisävellintä.

The perception of a puolisävel is highly consistent across different octaves and instruments. It forms the basis of many melodic and harmonic movements, contributing to the tension and resolution that characterize music. Understanding the puolisävel is essential for musicians to interpret and create music effectively.