Intervals

In music, an interval is the measure of distance between two notes. In this chapter, we will examine the different types of intervals. Intervals have a word, as well as a number associated with them. For example: Major 6th.

The number represents how far forward the second note is from the first in the Alphabet. The word, sometimes represented with a single letter, will describe the accidentals used on the second note of the pair.

These flavors indicate different distances between the pair of notes that make up the interval, and produce different types of sounds.

In order from smallest to largest, the flavors are: diminished, minor, Major, and Augmented. Also, the interval known as Perfect exists, and sits between diminished and augmented. When perfect is used, it replaces both Major and minor. From smallest to largest, that would be: Diminished, Perfect, Augmented. Perfect intervals come in either 4ths, 5ths, and octaves. Don't worry if this confuses you, just keep reading and all will become clear. Let's begin with Major and minor.

A 2nd is made by using the next letter up in the alphabet from the root note. In this case, it is a D.

The word minor indicates that the interval is smaller than a Major 2nd. Our two options when using C as our root are D and D♭. The smaller of the two gives us D♭. If this seems confusing now, sit tight, it will become more apparent as this chapter moves forward.

A 2nd is made by using the next letter up in the alphabet from the root note. In this case, it is a D.

The word Major indicates that the interval is bigger than a minor 2nd. Our two options when using C as our root are D and D♭. The larger of the two gives us D.

A 3rd is made by using the third letter up in the alphabet from the root note. In this case, it is a E.

The word minor indicates that the interval is smaller than a Major 3rd. Our two options when using C as our root are E and E♭. The smaller of the two gives us E♭.

A 3rd is made by using the third letter up in the alphabet from the root note. In this case, it is a E.

The word Major indicates that the interval is larger than a minor 3rd. Our two options when using C as our root are E and E♭. The larger of the two gives us E.

A 4th is made by using the fourth letter up in the alphabet from the root note. In this case, it is a F.

The word Perfect indicates that the interval has no Major or minor counterpart. Our only option when using C as our root is F.

A tritone is a special interval that will be discussed in detail later in the book. In fact, it has its own chapter.

For now, take a listen to the interval and move on.

A 5th is made by using the fifth letter up in the alphabet from the root note. In this case, it is a G.

The word Perfect indicates that the interval has no Major or minor counterpart. Our only option when using C as our root is G.

A 6th is made by using the sixth letter up in the alphabet from the root note. In this case, it is an A.

The word minor indicates that the interval is smaller than a Major 6th. Our two options when using C as our root are A and A♭. The smaller of the two gives us A♭.

A 6th is made by using the sixth letter up in the alphabet from the root note. In this case, it is an A.

The word Major indicates that the interval is larger than a minor 6th. Our two options when using C as our root are A and A♭. The larger of the two gives us A.

A 7th is made by using the sixth letter up in the alphabet from the root note. In this case, it is an B.

The word minor indicates that the interval is smaller than a Major 7th. Our two options when using C as our root are B and B♭. The smaller of the two gives us B♭.

A 7th is made by using the sixth letter up in the alphabet from the root note. In this case, it is an B.

The word Major indicates that the interval is larger than a minor 6th. Our two options when using C as our root are B and B♭. The larger of the two gives us B.

An octave is the 8th letter up from the root, and happens to be the same letter as the root.

In this case, we have gone from C up to C.

An easy way to remember these are as groupings within scales. Major intervals belong to the Major scale, save the 4th and 5th which are perfect. The same goes for minor intervals, save the 2nd which is major. The 4th and 5th remain perfect as well.

This trick will come in handy after you learn key signatures. Just understand that intervals are a measure of musical distance, and we use a word (Major/minor) and a number to represent that distance.