Example: The whole tone scale sounds smooth and even in music.
Definition
"The whole tone" is a musical interval consisting of two semitones, or half steps, which creates a sound that is evenly spaced and lacks the traditional tension of half-step intervals. It is commonly used in scales to produce a smooth, dreamlike effect.
The term "the whole tone" comes from the combination of 'whole,' meaning complete or full, and 'tone,' referring to a sound or pitch. In music theory, it specifically denotes an interval spanning two semitones. Did you know that the whole tone scale was popularized in the 19th century by composers seeking new harmonic possibilities?
Learn to use this word actively
"The whole tone" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - Music - (A2) - set 1", containing 102 commonly used words.
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