Q: What is an interval?
A: An interval is the distance between two notes. The further apart the pitches of two notes are, the larger the interval.
Q: How do I figure out what intervals are what?
A: An easy way to figure out intervals is to count the number of half steps between notes. To easily count the half steps, imagine the keys of a piano keyboard. Once you know the number of half steps, check out the chart below to find the name of the interval:
Half Steps Interval Name Abbreviation
1 minor second m2
2 Major Second M2
3 minor third m3
4 Major Third M3
5 Perfect Fourth P4
6 Augmented Fourth,
Diminished Fifth, Tritone A4, D5, TT
7 Perfect Fifth P5
8 minor sixth m6
9 Major Sixth M6
10 minor seventh m7
11 Major Seventh M7
12 Perfect Eighth or Octave P8/O/Oct.
Q: What is all the Major/minor/Perfect stuff? And is there another way to figure out the intervals?
A: Major and minor refers to the type of scale that the interval is a part of. For example, if you wanted to find a Major third up from C, you would find the third note of a C Major scale, which is E. Similarly, if you wanted to find a minor third up from C, you would find the third note in a c minor scale, which is Eb. Perfect intervals are found in Major scales. Also, the major, minor, and perfect refers to how the intervals can be increased or decreased in size.
Q: I have to be able to recognize intervals by sound. How can I do that?
A: Sometimes, it helps to make up little memory tricks for the intervals. For example, a minor second is the first two notes of a chromatic scale, and a Major Second is the first two notes of a major scale; a Perfect Fifth is the first part of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, etc. The most important thing is to practice listening to the intervals a lot- click here to go to music theory.net and practice now!
Chords
Q: What is a chord?
A: A chord is two or more notes played at the same time. Depending on the notes, chords have different names and qualities. Sometimes, the chords are flipped around with the bottom note on top, etc. and then they are given different names for the inversions.
