quarter tone
1 of 1noun/ˈkwɔrtər toʊn/
Forms:quarter tones
1
a musical interval that is half the size of a semitone
A quarter tone is a musical pitch that is half the size of a half step or semitone. It represents a note that is one-quarter of the distance between two neighboring notes in Western music. Quarter tones are used to create subtle changes in pitch that are not found in the standard twelve-tone scale. They are often used in musical styles from regions like the Middle East and Eastern Europe to add unique tonal qualities and expressiveness to the music.
- The composer incorporated quarter tones into the melody, creating a unique and exotic sound.
- The microtonal ensemble specialized in performing music that utilized quarter tones extensively.
- Learning to play the quarter tone on the violin required precise finger placement and control.
- The singer's performance featured expressive vocal slides using quarter tones to evoke emotion.
- The music theory class explored the use of quarter tones in different cultural contexts, highlighting their significance in world music traditions.