Intervals are an essential part of music theory. They are the building blocks of melodies, harmonies, and chord progressions.
Intervals in music are the distance between two notes. An interval can be played simultaneously, as in a chord, or sequentially, forming a melody.
Intervals can be overwhelming at the beginning. Nevertheless, it is useful to learn them, because they give you a lot of support in the music you make. You will be able to sing melodies faster, you recognise and create chord patterns faster, and it will be easier to come up with harmonies on a vocal.
Each interval tells you how big the distance is between the two notes. The name, or number, comes from how many tonal distances they are apart.
Like chords, intervals have their own characters and sounds. For example, the major third of a major chord sounds happier than the minor third that occurs in a minor chord. Some intervals have no minor or major properties. These intervals (the fourth and the fifth) are then called perfect.
The intervals of a scale in C major are as follows:
C                     D                    E                     F                     G                    A                   B                          unison            major second          major third           perfect fourth        perfect fifth major sixth             major seventh
The intervals of a scale in A minor are as follows:
A                    B                    C                     D                    E                     F                    G                          unison            major second          minor third           perfect fourth        perfect fifth           major sixth               major seventh
These tonal distances are diatonic tonal distances – the intervals you in the major of minor scales.
All twelve tonal distances in an octave are called as follows:
Semitone amount Interval
0Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Unison
1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Minor second
2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Major second
3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Minor third
4Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Major third
5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Perfect fourth
6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Augmented fourth / diminished fifth
7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Perfect fifth
8Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Minor sixth
9Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Major sixth
10Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Minor seventh
11Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Major seventh
12Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Octave
Knowing the intervals can give you a big head start. You can do this simply on the piano, or with online tests.
A well-known, easier trick is to associate the intervals with the first two notes of familiar melodies:
Intervals are so important in music theory that it might be difficult to progress without any knowledge of them. But once you’ve heard all the examples above, you’re almost halfway there!
To read more about Music Studies and how to improve the process of developing, creating and refining recorded music visit our knowledge base page about Music Studies Education.