Tell tone from semitone

Minor and major seconds by ear.

1. Step 1Listen to the leap between the two notes: a semitone sounds like a small, close friction; a tone, like a clean, open step.
2. Step 2Decide whether the distance is a semitone (minor second) or a tone (major second).
3. Step 3If unsure, picture it on the keyboard: a semitone is two adjacent keys; a tone leaves one key in between.
4. Step 4Confirm your answer and repeat until you tell the two sizes apart with confidence.