Introduction To Intervals

Musical interval can be described as the distance between two pitches or note (whether these notes are played together or separately). The distance from one key to another is in movement down-up. Therefore, the smallest interval on the piano is half step. From one white key to the other is a whole step and from white to a black key is half step

Types of intervals

       There are two types of intervals namely:

• Harmonic interval: this is when two notes or pitches sounded or played together.
• Melodic interval: this is when two notes or pitches sounded or played one after the other.

 Qualities of interval

There are five qualities of intervals; this has to do with number of semitones in each interval.

• Major interval                                            –       Augmented interval
• Minor interval                                           –        Diminished  interval
• Perfect interval

 Notes

Major interval comprises of the            2^nd , 3^rd, 6^th  and 7^th  

Minor interval comprises of the            2^nd , 3^rd , 6^th  and 7^th

Perfect interval comprises of the          4^th , 5^th  and 8^th

Augmented interval comprises of the    2^nd , 3^rd , 4^th , 5^th , 6^th and 7^th

 Diminished interval comprises of the     4^th , 5^th  and when all minor intervals are reduced or

                                                                                       Flattened by a semitone.

Semitones in interval

Apart from the numeric interval, the number of semitones in each of the interval determines the quality of each. This also must be memorized by the student for effective identification of each interval.

• One semitone gives———————— minor 2^nd
• Two semitones gives————————-major 2^nd
• Three semitones gives———————–minor 3^rd
• Four semitones gives ————————-major 3^rd
• Five semitones gives—————————perfect 4^th
• Six semitones gives —————————-aug.4^th or dim.5^th
• Seven semitones gives————————-perfect 5^th.
• Eight semitones gives————————–aug.5^th or minor 6^th.
• Nine semitones gives————————- major 6^th.
• Ten semitones give ————————— aug.6^th or minor 7^th.
• Eleven semitones gives———————— major 7^th.
• Twelve semitones gives———————— perfect 8^th.