Four distinct meanings and usages in music, which can be confusing.
1. In acoustics, a pure note of a single frequency (see sine wave), only available by means of artificial electronic production. All notes produced by singers or instruments therefore contain many tones of different pitch (See also Quality of Vibration).
2. The perceived quality of a musical sound, as in producing a beautiful tone.
3. The interval which comprise two semitones, e.g. from A natural to B natural. Also known as a whole-tone.
4. (particularly in the USA) A note, derived directly from the German word ΓÇ£TonΓÇ¥.
