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Intervals From Axe Tuts S02E07 The basic deffinition of an interval in music theory, is the distance in pitch between two notes. Before attempting to understand the subject of intervals it would be benificial to first cover the subjects of key signature and the major scale if you have not done so already, this is because all intervals are analysed against the major scale. To do so we label each scale degree using the Roman numeral system as shown below. I
II
& œ
III
IV
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œ
œ
œ
V
VI
œ
VII
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I
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The name or of an interval can be found by counting the lines and spaces included by the two notes on a stave, which is the same as counting the note names included by the two notes. For example, from C to E is a third since there are two lines and one space included, or you can see there are three note names included : C D E. From C to A is a sixth since there are three spaces and three lines included, or six note names : C D E F G A.
& c ww
unison
second
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ww
third
fourth
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ww
fifth
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sixth
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seventh
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octave
As well as a number value, intervals are also named based on their quality or sound, as follows: MAJOR
INTERVAL
MINOR
INTERVAL
PERFECT
INTERVAL
AUGMENTED
INTERVAL
DIMINISHED
INTERVAL
Again by referring to the major scale, based on the lower note of the interval, the specific quality of the interval, as listed above, can be found. If the upper note is contained within that major scale then the interval is a major interval, except in the case of unisons, fourths, fifths and octaves, which are perfect intervals. In the example at the top of the next page the lower note of each interval is C, this means that each interval is analysed using the C major scale. The interval C to D is a major second because D is the second note of C major scale. The interval C to G is a perfect fifth because G is the fifth note of the C major scale.
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Intervals
2 perfect unison
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major 2nd
major 3rd
perfect 4th
major 6th
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ww
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perfect 5th
major 7th
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pefect 8ve (octave)
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If the upper note of the interval is not contained within the major scale, the following interval names will be applied. 1) An interval a semitone smaller than the major interval is a minor interval. 2) An interval a semitone smaller than a minor or perfect interval is a diminished interval. 3) An interval a semitone larger than a major or perfect interval is an augmented interval. The following is a complete list of intervals with the lower note of each being C, which means the C major scale will be used as the reference scale. Having a good understanding of intervals will allow you to construct scales and chords in any key, and enable you describe harmony and its content on a musical level with musical peers.
