Intermediate
Intervals
The distance between two notes: how to count it and how it sounds.
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1.Counting an interval
An interval is the distance between two notes. Count both ends: C to E is C–D–E, so it’s a 3rd.
On the staff it’s easy: line to next line, or space to next space, is a 3rd.
2.Major, minor and perfect
The number isn’t enough: C–E and C–E♭ are both 3rds, but they sound different. The quality comes from counting half steps.
2nds, 3rds, 6ths and 7ths are major or minor. 4ths, 5ths and octaves are perfect. The tritone (6 half steps) is the augmented 4th.
| Interval | Half steps | From C |
|---|---|---|
| Minor 2nd | 1 | C–D♭ |
| Major 2nd | 2 | C–D |
| Minor 3rd | 3 | C–E♭ |
| Major 3rd | 4 | C–E |
| Perfect 4th | 5 | C–F |
| Tritone | 6 | C–F♯ |
| Perfect 5th | 7 | C–G |
| Minor 6th | 8 | C–A♭ |
| Major 6th | 9 | C–A |
| Minor 7th | 10 | C–B♭ |
| Major 7th | 11 | C–B |
| Octave | 12 | C–C |
3.Melodic and harmonic
If the notes sound one after the other, the interval is melodic (what you sing). If they sound together, it’s harmonic (what builds chords).
Practice
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