Question

What is the difference between a whole step and a half step?

Option 1: A whole step is equivalent to two half steps.
Option 2: A whole step is equivalent to one half step.
Option 3: A whole step is equivalent to three half steps.
Option 4: A whole step is equivalent to half a step.

Answer 1

A half step is the smallest interval in Western music and is equivalent to moving from one key on a piano to the very next key. A whole step is two half steps and is equivalent to moving from one key on a piano to the key that is two keys away.

Step-by-step explanation:

A half step is the smallest interval in Western music and is equivalent to moving from one key on a piano to the very next key, regardless of whether it's a black or white key. A whole step, on the other hand, is two half steps and is equivalent to moving from one key on a piano to the key that is two keys away, either skipping a key or not. For example, if you start on C, a half step up would be C#, and a whole step up would be D.