Interval · 1 half step
Minor second
A minor second is 1 half step (also called half step, semitone). From C, a minor second up is D♭.
- Half steps
- 1
- Short name
- m2
- Guitar frets
- 1
How it sounds
The smallest step in Western music. Played one after the other it sounds like tension creeping in; played together the two notes rub and clash.
Songs to remember it by
Hum the start of the Jaws theme or White Christmas (“I’m dream-”). The jump between the first two notes is a minor second. Reference songs get you started; after a while you will hear the interval itself.
On the guitar
1 fret up on the same string. With the lower note on the low E or A string in standard tuning; shapes that cross from the G string to the B string move up one fret.
A minor second up from every note
| From | Up a minor second | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| C | D♭ | |
| C♯ | D | |
| D | E♭ | |
| D♯ | E | |
| E | F | |
| F | G♭ | |
| F♯ | G | |
| G | A♭ | |
| G♯ | A | |
| A | B♭ | |
| A♯ | B | |
| B | C |
This interval isn’t in the game’s “How far apart?” round yet; it’s here so the reference is complete.