In music theory, what is a 'step' defined as?

A 'step' in music theory refers to the difference in pitch between two consecutive notes. This concept is fundamental in understanding scales and melodies, as notes are often organized in sequences or patterns that rely on these intervals.

In Western music, a step can specifically refer to a whole step (two half steps) or a half step (the smallest interval in the Western tonal system). Recognizing a step as the interval between consecutive notes helps musicians construct scales, identify melodies, and understand chord structures effectively.

The other definitions provided do not accurately capture the concept of a step in this context. For instance, a skip in pitch describes a larger interval, and playing the same note again would not involve any pitch difference at all, dismissing the notion of a step. The interval between two random notes may not reflect consecutive notes, thus failing to align with the defined concept of a step.