Whole & Half Steps
Whole steps and half steps are simply ways of measuring distance on the piano. Once you understand these two little building blocks, scales, chords, intervals, and a whole lot of music theory become much easier to understand.
Half Steps
What Is a Half Step?
A half step means moving to the very next piano key in either direction. And yes — black keys count!
C → C♯ = Half Step
C → B = Half Step
What Is a Whole Step?
A whole step is simply two half steps put together.
C → C♯ → D
C to D = Whole Step
C → B → B♭
C to B♭ = Whole Step
The Whole Thing in One Formula
Going a Little Deeper
If you continue moving entirely in half steps, you're playing a chromatic scale.
C – C♯ – D – D♯ – E – F – F♯ – G – G♯ – A – A♯ – B
If you move entirely in whole steps, you create a whole-tone scale. That's a much less common sound, but it's a good reminder that these little distances are the building blocks behind scales and chords.
Point Before You Play
Pick any note on the piano. Before touching another key, point to the note that is a half step above it, a half step below it, a whole step above it, and a whole step below it. If you can see the distance before you play it, you're getting it.