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What does ten mean in a piece of music?

The term "ten" in a piece of music typically refers to the interval of a tenth, which spans ten diatonic steps. It is a relatively large interval, and it can be either major or minor depending on the specific notes involved.

Major Tenth: A major tenth consists of eight whole tones and one semitone. For example, the interval between C and E♭ would be a major tenth, as it spans the eight notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B♭, and C, with an additional semitone from C to D♭.

Minor Tenth: A minor tenth consists of eight whole tones. For example, the interval between C and D would be a minor tenth, as it spans the eight notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B♭, and C.

The specific notation for a tenth in a piece of music depends on the musical context and the intended effect. For example, in a chord progression, a tenth might be indicated by a "10" or "maj10" symbol, while in a melody, it might be notated as a specific interval between notes.

Overall, the term "ten" in music refers to the interval of a tenth, which is a large melodic or harmonic interval spanning ten diatonic steps.

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