quarter tone

Noun

Meaning

half of a semitone

Source: WordNet

Alternative names

quarter-tone

Synonyms

octave semitone chromatic scale diatonic scale half step pentatonic scale quarter tone equal temperament whole step atonal music enharmonic scale microtonal music microtonal scale tonal music twelfth tone
Show all synonyms

Hypernyms

interval musical interval

Examples

These "moderns" were discarding the old laws of composition and experimenting with new forms, harmonies and rhythms, and including the use of jazz and quarter-tone music. Source: Internet

Various composers including Charles Ives experimented with music for quarter-tone pianos. Source: Internet

For instance, three pure major thirds stack up to 125/64, which at 1158.94 cents is nearly a quarter tone away from the octave. Source: Internet

Arabic music maqamat may use quarter tone intervals. Source: Internet

Thus, the first and third valves used in combination lower the pitch by something just short of five semitones, and the first three valves used in combination are nearly a quarter tone sharp. Source: Internet

Some instruments feature a fourth valve that provides a quarter-tone step between each note. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

quarter swirl quarter switch quarter time quarter turn quarter turn ball quarter twirl