5.1 Interval qualities and sizes
11 min read•august 20, 2024
Intervals are the building blocks of music, defining the relationships between pitches. They play a crucial role in creating melodies, harmonies, and chords. Understanding interval sizes and qualities is essential for musicians to analyze and create music effectively.
This topic explores various interval types, from unisons to octaves and beyond. It covers how to identify, construct, and invert intervals, as well as their role in musical context. Mastering intervals enhances overall musicianship and deepens one's understanding of musical structures.
Interval sizes
- Intervals are the distance between two pitches, measured by the number of staff positions or scale steps they encompass
- Interval size is determined by counting the lines and spaces on the staff, including the starting and ending notes
- Intervals can be categorized based on their size, ranging from to intervals larger than an octave
Unison intervals
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- Unison intervals occur when two notes have the same pitch and are played together
- Unison intervals can be written on the same line or space on the staff
- Examples of unison intervals include two C notes played simultaneously or two G notes played together
Second intervals
- Second intervals encompass two adjacent notes on the staff, either a line and a space or two adjacent lines or spaces
- Second intervals can be major () or minor () depending on the number of semitones between the notes
- Examples of second intervals include C to D (major second) and E to F (minor second)
Third intervals
- Third intervals span three notes on the staff, skipping one note in between the starting and ending notes
- Third intervals can be major (two whole steps) or minor (whole step + half step) based on their semitone content
- Examples of third intervals include C to E () and D to F (minor third)
Fourth intervals
- Fourth intervals encompass four notes on the staff, skipping two notes between the starting and ending notes
- Perfect fourth intervals consist of two whole steps and one half step (five semitones)
- Examples of fourth intervals include C to F (perfect fourth) and F to B ( fourth or tritone)
Fifth intervals
- Fifth intervals span five notes on the staff, skipping three notes between the starting and ending notes
- intervals are composed of three whole steps and one half step (seven semitones)
- Examples of fifth intervals include C to G (perfect fifth) and B to F ( fifth or tritone)
Sixth intervals
- Sixth intervals encompass six notes on the staff, skipping four notes between the starting and ending notes
- Sixth intervals can be major (nine semitones) or minor (eight semitones) based on their semitone content
- Examples of sixth intervals include C to A (major sixth) and E to C (minor sixth)
Seventh intervals
- Seventh intervals span seven notes on the staff, skipping five notes between the starting and ending notes
- Seventh intervals can be major (eleven semitones) or minor (ten semitones) depending on the number of semitones
- Examples of seventh intervals include C to B (major seventh) and D to C (minor seventh)
Octave intervals
- Octave intervals encompass eight notes on the staff, spanning from one note to the same note in the next higher or lower octave
- Octave intervals consist of twelve semitones and are considered perfect intervals
- Examples of octave intervals include C to C' (one octave higher) and G to G, (one octave lower)
Intervals larger than octave
- Intervals larger than an octave exceed the span of eight notes on the staff
- These intervals are named by combining the interval quality with the number of octaves plus the interval size within the additional octave
- Examples of intervals larger than an octave include C to E' (major tenth, one octave plus a third) and F to D'' (perfect eleventh, one octave plus a fourth)
Interval qualities
- Interval quality refers to the specific type of interval based on the number of semitones it contains
- The five main interval qualities are perfect, major, minor, diminished, and augmented
- Interval quality is determined by the relationship between the two notes in terms of their position in the major or minor scale
Perfect intervals
- Perfect intervals are highly consonant and stable, occurring naturally in the major scale
- Perfect intervals include unison, fourth, fifth, and octave
- Examples of perfect intervals include C to G (perfect fifth) and F to F' (perfect octave)
Major intervals
- Major intervals are formed by the intervals of a second, third, sixth, and seventh in a major scale
- Major intervals are wider than their minor counterparts by one semitone
- Examples of major intervals include C to E (major third) and G to B (major third)
Minor intervals
- Minor intervals are one semitone smaller than their corresponding major intervals
- Minor intervals include the second, third, sixth, and seventh intervals in a natural minor scale
- Examples of minor intervals include D to F (minor third) and A to C (minor third)
Diminished intervals
- Diminished intervals are one semitone smaller than their corresponding minor intervals or one semitone smaller than perfect intervals
- Diminished intervals can be formed by lowering the upper note or raising the lower note of a minor or perfect interval by a half step
- Examples of diminished intervals include C to G♭ (diminished fifth) and F to B (diminished fifth or tritone)
Augmented intervals
- Augmented intervals are one semitone larger than their corresponding major intervals or one semitone larger than perfect intervals
- Augmented intervals can be formed by raising the upper note or lowering the lower note of a major or perfect interval by a half step
- Examples of augmented intervals include C to F♯ (augmented fourth or tritone) and E to C♯ (augmented sixth)
Interval naming conventions
- Interval naming conventions provide a standardized way to describe and categorize intervals based on their characteristics
- The three main categories for naming intervals are diatonic vs chromatic, simple vs compound, and consonant vs dissonant
- Understanding these naming conventions is essential for effective communication and analysis of intervals in music theory and practice
Diatonic vs chromatic intervals
- are formed by notes within the same diatonic scale (e.g., C major scale) without any accidentals
- involve notes outside the diatonic scale and include one or more accidentals (sharps, flats, or naturals)
- Examples of diatonic intervals include C to E (major third in C major) and G to B (major third in G major), while examples of chromatic intervals include C to E♭ (minor third) and F to B (tritone)
Simple vs compound intervals
- are intervals that are smaller than or equal to an octave (unison up to seventh)
- Compound intervals are larger than an octave and can be reduced to a simple interval by subtracting one or more octaves
- Examples of simple intervals include C to G (perfect fifth) and E to C (minor sixth), while examples of compound intervals include C to E' (major tenth, compound third) and G to F' (minor seventh, compound second)
Consonant vs dissonant intervals
- Consonant intervals are intervals that sound stable, harmonious, and resolved, often found in triads and stable chord progressions
- Dissonant intervals create tension, instability, and a need for resolution, often used to add interest and movement to a musical piece
- Perfect intervals (unison, fourth, fifth, octave) and major/minor thirds and sixths are considered consonant, while major/minor seconds and sevenths, along with all diminished and augmented intervals, are considered dissonant
Interval inversion
- is the process of flipping an interval upside down by moving one of the notes up or down an octave
- Inverting an interval changes its size and quality while maintaining the same overall sound and function within the musical context
- Understanding interval inversion is crucial for analyzing and creating harmonies, as well as for transposing and rearranging musical passages
Inversion process
- To invert an interval, move either the upper note down an octave or the lower note up an octave
- The resulting inverted interval will have a complementary size that adds up to nine (e.g., a third inverts to a sixth, a fourth inverts to a fifth)
- Examples of interval inversion include inverting a C to E interval (major third) to E to C' (minor sixth) by moving the upper note down an octave, or inverting a G to D interval (perfect fifth) to D to G' (perfect fourth) by moving the lower note up an octave
Resultant interval qualities
- When inverting an interval, the quality of the resulting interval changes according to a specific pattern
- Perfect intervals (unison, fourth, fifth, octave) remain perfect when inverted
- Major intervals become minor, and minor intervals become major
- Augmented intervals become diminished, and diminished intervals become augmented
- Examples of resultant interval qualities include inverting a C to E interval (major third) to E to C' (minor sixth), or inverting a C to G♯ interval (augmented fifth) to G♯ to C' (diminished fourth)
Inversion of compound intervals
- Compound intervals can be inverted by first reducing them to their simple interval equivalents, inverting the simple interval, and then adding octaves back to the resulting interval
- The inversion process for compound intervals follows the same rules as for simple intervals regarding size and quality changes
- Examples of inverting compound intervals include inverting a C to A' interval (major sixth, compound third) to A to C' (minor third) by reducing it to a simple interval, inverting, and adding an octave back, or inverting an E to F'' interval (minor ninth, compound second) to F to E' (major seventh) using the same process
Interval identification
- Interval identification is the skill of recognizing and naming intervals in both aural and visual contexts
- Developing the ability to identify intervals quickly and accurately is essential for sight-reading, transcription, improvisation, and overall musicianship
- Interval identification can be practiced through various exercises and techniques, including aural recognition, visual identification in notation, and interval ear training
Aural recognition of intervals
- Aural recognition involves identifying intervals by ear, without the aid of visual notation
- Strategies for improving aural recognition include associating intervals with familiar songs or melodies, singing intervals using solfege or scale degrees, and practicing with interval recognition software or apps
- Examples of aural recognition exercises include identifying intervals played on a piano, guitar, or other instrument, or recognizing intervals within a melodic or harmonic context in a musical recording
Visual identification in notation
- Visual identification involves recognizing intervals as they appear in written musical notation
- Strategies for improving visual identification include analyzing the distance between notes on the staff, considering accidentals and key signatures, and relating intervals to common scales, chords, and melodic patterns
- Examples of visual identification exercises include naming intervals in a written melody, identifying intervals within a chord progression, or analyzing intervals in a full musical score
Interval ear training exercises
- Interval ear training exercises are designed to help musicians improve their aural recognition skills through targeted practice and repetition
- These exercises can include interval comparison (identifying whether two intervals are the same or different), interval singing (reproducing intervals using the voice), and interval dictation (notating intervals played by an instructor or recording)
- Online resources, such as ear training websites and mobile apps, offer a variety of interval ear training exercises that can be customized to individual skill levels and learning goals
Interval construction
- Interval construction is the process of building intervals on a staff or by using semitones, either within a specific key or in a more general context
- Understanding how to construct intervals is essential for composition, arranging, and analyzing musical structures
- Interval construction can be approached through various methods, including visual placement on a staff, counting semitones, and considering the context of a particular key or tonality
Interval construction on staff
- Constructing intervals on a staff involves placing notes on the appropriate lines and spaces to create the desired interval size and quality
- This method relies on visual recognition of the distance between notes and an understanding of how accidentals (sharps, flats, and naturals) affect interval quality
- Examples of interval construction on a staff include building a major third above a given note by counting three half steps up on the staff, or constructing a perfect fifth below a note by counting seven half steps down
Interval construction by semitones
- Constructing intervals by semitones involves counting the number of half steps between two notes to determine the size and quality of the interval
- This method is particularly useful for understanding the relationship between interval size and quality, as well as for constructing intervals outside of a specific key or tonal context
- Examples of interval construction by semitones include building a minor sixth by counting eight half steps above a given note, or constructing an augmented fourth (tritone) by counting six half steps above a note
Interval construction in different keys
- Constructing intervals within the context of a specific key requires an understanding of the key signature and the role of accidentals in modifying interval qualities
- In this method, intervals are constructed using the diatonic notes of the key, with accidentals introduced as needed to create the desired interval quality
- Examples of interval construction in different keys include building a major third in the key of D major (F♯ to A), or constructing a diminished fifth in the key of B minor (F♯ to C)
Intervals in musical context
- Intervals play a crucial role in creating the melodic, harmonic, and structural elements of music
- Understanding how intervals function within various musical contexts is essential for composition, improvisation, and analysis
- Intervals can be examined in terms of their use in melody, harmony, and chord construction, each of which contributes to the overall character and emotional impact of a piece of music
Intervals in melody
- Melodic intervals are the building blocks of melodies, determining the shape, contour, and expressive qualities of a musical line
- Composers and improvisers use a variety of intervals to create melodic interest, tension, and resolution, often combining stepwise motion (seconds) with leaps (thirds, fourths, fifths, and larger intervals) to create a sense of direction and phrasing
- Examples of intervals in melody include the opening theme of Beethoven's "Fifth Symphony" (minor third, major second, and perfect fourth), or the iconic opening of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (octave leap followed by a descending major sixth)
Intervals in harmony
- Harmonic intervals are the foundation of chords and chord progressions, creating the vertical sonorities that support and enrich the melodic and rhythmic elements of a piece
- Consonant intervals (thirds, sixths, perfect fourths, and fifths) are often used to create stable, pleasing harmonies, while dissonant intervals (seconds, sevenths, and tritones) add tension and a sense of movement or instability
- Examples of intervals in harmony include the stacked thirds of a C major triad (C-E, E-G) or the perfect fifth and major third of a D dominant seventh chord (D-A, F♯-C)
Intervals in chord construction
- Chords are built by stacking intervals above a root note, with the quality and type of chord determined by the specific intervals used
- Triads, the most basic type of chord, are constructed using a root, third, and fifth, with the quality of the third and fifth determining whether the triad is major, minor, diminished, or augmented
- Seventh chords and extended chords are created by adding additional thirds above the basic triad structure, with the quality of these additional intervals contributing to the chord's overall sound and function
- Examples of intervals in chord construction include the major third and perfect fifth of a major triad (C-E-G), or the minor third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh of a half-diminished seventh chord (B-D-F-A)
Key Terms to Review (28)
Augmented: In music, 'augmented' refers to an interval that is one half-step larger than a major interval or perfect interval. This term can also apply to chords, specifically an augmented triad, which consists of a root, a major third, and an augmented fifth. Understanding this concept is essential for recognizing intervals, building chords, and analyzing harmony within compositions.
Chromatic intervals: Chromatic intervals are the distance between two notes that includes all the semitones between them, which means they can be formed by moving in half steps. These intervals are essential for understanding how pitches relate to one another in music and play a crucial role in creating tension and color in melodies. They help musicians grasp the finer nuances of music theory, including harmonic structure and progression.
Compound interval: A compound interval is an interval that spans more than an octave, meaning it consists of a distance larger than 8 scale degrees. These intervals can be understood as extensions of simple intervals, which are the distances within one octave. Knowing about compound intervals is important because they help musicians understand harmonic relationships and the expansion of melodies across larger ranges.
Consonance: Consonance refers to the harmonious relationship between musical tones, typically perceived as pleasing or stable. This quality is often found in intervals, scales, harmonic progressions, and even in improvisational contexts, where certain combinations of notes create a sense of resolution and balance, enhancing the overall musical experience.
Diatonic Intervals: Diatonic intervals are the distances between two notes that are part of a diatonic scale, which consists of seven pitches and includes both whole and half steps. These intervals are essential for understanding the relationships between notes within the scale, influencing both melody and harmony. Recognizing diatonic intervals helps musicians identify the unique qualities of each interval, enabling more informed playing and composition.
Diminished: Diminished refers to a specific quality of intervals and chords in music that create a sense of tension or instability. In interval recognition, diminished intervals are formed by reducing a perfect or minor interval by one half step, while diminished chords consist of two stacked minor thirds. This concept is essential in diatonic harmony as it often appears in chord progressions, leading to resolutions and creating a unique sound that contrasts with major and minor qualities.
Dissonance: Dissonance refers to a combination of notes that creates a sense of tension or instability, often requiring resolution to a more stable sound. It is an essential aspect of music that can enhance emotional expression and drive harmonic progression, making it closely linked to intervals, scales, chords, and non-chord tones.
Equal Temperament: Equal temperament is a tuning system that divides the octave into 12 equal parts, making all semitones the same size. This system allows musicians to play in any key with consistent interval sizes, which is essential for the versatility of instruments and harmonic progression in Western music. The equal temperament system is crucial for understanding interval qualities and sizes as it standardizes how we perceive and use musical intervals across different keys.
Fifth interval: A fifth interval is a musical distance between two notes where the higher note is five scale degrees above the lower note. This interval is known for its consonant sound and is commonly used in harmony and chords, forming the foundation of many musical structures. The fifth can be perfect, diminished, or augmented, which adds to its versatility in music theory.
Fourth interval: A fourth interval is a musical distance that spans four diatonic scale degrees, resulting in a sound that can be described as consonant or dissonant depending on the context. This interval plays a crucial role in harmony and melody, and it can be found in both major and minor scales, affecting the overall tonality of a piece. Understanding fourth intervals helps musicians create rich harmonic textures and is foundational for building chords and progressions.
Half Step: A half step, also known as a semitone, is the smallest interval in Western music, representing the distance between two adjacent keys on a piano keyboard. It plays a crucial role in defining pitch and is foundational in the construction of scales, key signatures, and intervals.
Interval Inversion: Interval inversion is a music theory concept that occurs when the notes of an interval are rearranged so that the lower note becomes the higher note, and vice versa. This process changes the quality and size of the interval, and helps in understanding how different intervals relate to each other. Recognizing these transformations is crucial for identifying intervals accurately, assessing their qualities and sizes, and exploring their harmonic implications.
Intervallic distance: Intervallic distance refers to the measurable difference between two pitches, expressed as the number of letter names or scale degrees between them. This concept is foundational in understanding how intervals function within music, influencing interval recognition, defining their qualities and sizes, and playing a crucial role in interval inversion. Understanding intervallic distance allows musicians to categorize and describe intervals accurately, which is essential for performance, composition, and analysis.
Intervallic relationships: Intervallic relationships refer to the connections and distances between two notes in music, which can be measured in both quality and size. Understanding these relationships is crucial for analyzing melodies and harmonies, as they determine the character of the musical intervals and their functional roles within a piece. These relationships can convey emotions and set the foundation for chord progressions, which are essential components of music theory.
Just Intonation: Just intonation is a system of tuning in which the frequencies of notes are derived from simple ratios of whole numbers, creating intervals that are perceived as harmonious. This approach to tuning is based on the natural harmonic series, emphasizing pure intervals rather than the more complex ratios found in equal temperament. Just intonation provides a way to achieve beautiful and consonant intervals that resonate well together, enhancing the overall musical experience.
M3: An m3, or minor third, is an interval that spans three half steps or semitones between two notes. It has a unique sound quality characterized by its darker, more somber tone compared to a major third. Understanding the minor third is crucial for identifying and constructing chords, melodies, and harmonic progressions within various musical contexts.
Major Third: A major third is an interval that spans four half steps or semitones, typically creating a bright and happy sound. It serves as a foundational building block in harmony, playing a crucial role in chord construction and recognition. The major third connects to various concepts in music such as interval recognition, chord quality, and melodic structures, allowing musicians to understand how melodies and harmonies interact.
Melodic interval: A melodic interval is the distance between two pitches when they are played sequentially rather than simultaneously. This concept is important for understanding how melodies are constructed, as it helps to define the relationship between notes in a musical line. Melodic intervals contribute to the overall character and emotional impact of a melody, influencing how it is perceived by listeners.
Octave Interval: An octave interval is the distance between one musical pitch and another with double its frequency. It represents a specific type of interval quality characterized by a unique sound perception, where the two notes seem to be the same note but in different registers. This interval is crucial in understanding musical scales, harmonies, and the overall structure of music.
P5: In music, p5, or perfect fifth, is an interval that spans five diatonic scale degrees and is considered one of the most consonant and stable intervals. The p5 is formed by the first note and the fifth note in a diatonic scale, and it plays a crucial role in establishing harmonic relationships within Western music. This interval is commonly found in chords and melodies, providing a sense of balance and resolution.
Perfect Fifth: A perfect fifth is a musical interval that spans seven half steps, creating a harmonious and stable sound. This interval is crucial in music theory as it forms the foundation of many chords and is essential for recognizing harmonic structures, which can enhance both composition and performance.
Second interval: A second interval is a musical distance between two notes that are adjacent in the scale. It can be classified as either a major second or a minor second, depending on the specific note relationships and the number of half steps between them. This interval is crucial for understanding melody construction, as it forms the basis for many musical scales and can create a sense of tension or resolution in music.
Seventh interval: A seventh interval is the distance between two pitches where the higher pitch is seven scale degrees away from the lower pitch. This interval is significant in music as it contributes to the harmonic structure and emotional expression within compositions. It can be major, minor, diminished, or augmented, each having distinct qualities that influence the overall sound and feel of a piece.
Simple Intervals: Simple intervals are the distance between two pitches that span an octave or less, typically ranging from a minor second to a major seventh. They are fundamental building blocks of harmony and melody in music, serving as the basis for understanding more complex structures. Recognizing simple intervals helps musicians identify relationships between notes and contributes to a deeper grasp of musical texture and organization.
Sixth interval: A sixth interval is the distance between two pitches where the higher pitch is six scale degrees above the lower pitch. This interval can be classified as either major or minor, depending on the specific pitches involved. Understanding sixth intervals is important because they play a significant role in harmony, melody construction, and the overall texture of music.
Third interval: A third interval is a musical interval that spans three scale degrees, representing the distance between two notes in terms of pitch. It can be classified as either major or minor, depending on the number of half steps between the two notes. Understanding third intervals is essential for building chords and harmonies, as they form the foundation of triads and many other musical structures.
Unison: Unison refers to the interval where two or more musical voices or instruments play the same pitch simultaneously. It creates a strong sense of harmony and fullness because all notes are aligned, producing a unified sound. Unison can be seen as both a specific interval and a way to emphasize melody, especially in vocal music where singers often perform in unison to create a powerful effect.
Whole step: A whole step, also known as a whole tone, is the distance between two pitches that are two half steps apart. This concept is essential in understanding musical scales and intervals, as it helps in constructing major and minor scales and recognizing the spacing of notes within them. Whole steps play a crucial role in pitch notation and are fundamental in the context of the movable-do system used for solfège.