quarter tone
/ˈkwɔrtərˌtoʊn/
noun
- A musical interval that is half the size of a half-step (semitone), equal to one-quarter of a whole tone. It is used in some non-Western music and modern classical compositions.
- Learning to sing quarter-tones accurately requires a very sensitive ear.
- The composer used quarter-tones to create a haunting, unfamiliar melody.
- In traditional Arabic music, quarter-tones are common and give the scale its distinctive sound.
Synonyms