Musical Chord
An application for you to study music.
Tools for musicians, exercises on music theory, ear training, and direct-to-the-point theoretical content. Designed for singers, guitarists, keyboard players, bassists, drummers, and general musicians from beginners to advanced levels.
Musical Intervals
Musical intervals are the backbone of music. They form the basis of harmony and melody, being essential for understanding how notes interact with each other.
A musical interval is the pitch difference between two notes. Intervals are fundamental for building chords and scales, and they play a crucial role in creating melodies and harmonies. A common method for identifying intervals by ear is to associate them with songs, for example, the Brazilian National Anthem starts with an ascending melodic interval of a perfect fourth.
Musical Intervals
The classification of intervals is made between the tonic (the first note of the scale) and the other notes of the scale. There are 5 interval classifications: Major, Perfect, Minor, Diminished, and Augmented. Each of these classifications plays a crucial role in music theory.
Major Interval
Major intervals are found in major scales and are known for their stable and bright sound. Examples of major intervals include:
- Major Second (M2): The distance between C and D.
- Major Third (M3): The distance between C and E.
- Major Sixth (M6): The distance between C and A.
- Major Seventh (M7): The distance between C and B.
Perfect Interval
Perfect intervals are considered the most stable and consonant. They include unisons, fourths, fifths, and octaves. These intervals are called perfect because they sound complete and balanced. Examples of perfect intervals include:
- Unison (P1): The same note played twice.
- Perfect Fourth (P4): The distance between C and F.
- Perfect Fifth (P5): The distance between C and G.
- Perfect Octave (P8): The distance between C and the next C.
Minor Interval
Minor intervals are a half step below their corresponding major intervals. They are found in minor scales and have a darker, more melancholic sound. Examples of minor intervals include:
- Minor Second (m2): The distance between C and D flat.
- Minor Third (m3): The distance between C and E flat.
- Minor Sixth (m6): The distance between C and A flat.
- Minor Seventh (m7): The distance between C and B flat.
Diminished Interval
Diminished intervals are a half step below their corresponding minor or perfect intervals. They create a sense of tension and instability, often used to resolve to more consonant intervals. Examples of diminished intervals include:
- Diminished Fifth (dim5): The distance between C and G flat.
- Diminished Seventh (dim7): The distance between C and double flat B.
Augmented Interval
Augmented intervals are a half step above their corresponding major or perfect intervals. They also create a sense of tension and are often used to add interest and complexity to music. Examples of augmented intervals include:
- Augmented Second: The distance between C and D sharp.
- Augmented Fourth: The distance between C and F sharp.
- Augmented Fifth: The distance between C and G sharp.
Musical Intervals
| Notes | Intervals | Symbol | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | P1 | 1 | Root |
| Db | m2 | b2 | Minor Second |
| D | M2 | 2 | Second |
| D# | A2 | #2 | Augmented Second |
| Eb | m3 | b3 | Minor Third |
| E | M3 | 3 | Third |
| F | P4 | 4 | Perfect Fourth |
| F# | A4 | #4 | Augmented Fourth |
| Gb | dim5 | b5 | Diminished Fifth |
| G | P5 | 5 | Perfect Fifth |
| G# | A5 | #5 | Augmented Fifth |
| Ab | m6 | b6 | Minor Sixth |
| A | M6 | 6 | Major Sixth |
| Bbb | dim7 | bb7 | Diminished Seventh |
| Bb | m7 | b7 | Minor Seventh |
| B | M7 | 7 | Major Seventh |
| C | P8 | 8 | Perfect Octave |
Musical Intervals
This is when the notes of the interval are within the same octave.
Musical Intervals
Compound intervals are those that extend beyond an octave. They are an extension of simple intervals (intervals within an octave) and are formed by adding an octave to a simple interval.
| Simple Interval | Compound Interval |
|---|---|
| 2nd | 9th |
| 3rd | 10th |
| 4th | 11th |
| 5th | 12th |
| 6th | 13th |
| 7th | 14th |
| 8th | 15th |
Musical Intervals
Interval inversion is the process of swapping the positions of the two notes that form an interval.
| Original Interval | Inverted Interval |
|---|---|
| 1st | 8th |
| 2nd | 7th |
| 3rd | 6th |
| 4th | 5th |
| 5th | 4th |
| 6th | 3rd |
| 7th | 2nd |
| 8th | 1st |
Relations Between Original and Inverted Intervals
- Major ? Minor
- Augmented ? Diminished
- Perfect ? Perfect
Musical Intervals
Intervals are also classified as consonant or dissonant:
Consonant
Intervals that sound stable and harmonious. Examples include major and minor thirds, major and minor sixths, and all perfect fourths and fifths.
Dissonant
Intervals that create tension and need to be resolved to consonance. Examples include major and minor seconds, major and minor sevenths, and augmented fourths.
Musical Intervals
This is when the notes (sounds) are heard simultaneously, at the same time.
Musical Intervals
This is when the notes (sounds) are heard successively, with time intervals.
Musical Intervals
This is when the first note is lower in pitch than the second.
Musical Intervals
This is when the first note is higher in pitch than the second.
Musical Intervals
This is when the notes of the interval belong to the same key.
Musical Intervals
Musical intervals are fundamental elements in music theory and practice. They not only help to form chords and scales, but they also directly influence harmony and melody. Understanding intervals is essential for any musician, whether beginner or professional, as it allows for a greater understanding of the structure and organization of music. Studying and practicing intervals can open up a new world of creative possibilities and significantly enrich the musical experience.