twelve-tone equal temperament

Twelve-tone equal temperament is a musical system where an octave is divided into 12 equal parts called semitones. Each semitone represents a step where the pitch frequency doubles over the octave, with each step increasing the pitch by a constant ratio. This system allows musicians to play in different keys without retuning instruments, enabling smooth modulation and versatile harmony. It’s the standard tuning method used in most Western music today, providing a balanced approximation of consonant intervals while maintaining consistent pitch relationships across all keys.