An interval is the distance between two notes. It has both a generic name and a specific name. An example of an interval is a minor 3rd. "3rd" is its generic name. "Minor" is its specific name. The generic name is determined simply by counting the distance between the two pitches. C to E is a 3rd, because C is 1 note, D is 2, and E makes 3. A to C is a 3rd, B to D is a 3rd, etc. The specific name is determined by the key signature of the lower note. If we were in C, we would have no flats and no sharps. So if we had the interval C to Eb, we would know its generic name is a 3rd. If the upper note is in the key signature of the lower note, it will be called Major if it is a 2nd, 3rd, 6th, or 7th. It will be called Perfect if it is a 1st ("prime"), 4th, 5th, or 8th ("octave"). If the note is one note lower than a major interval, it will be called minor. Below that is diminished. Above major is augmented. If the note is one note lower than a perfect interval, it will be called diminished. If it is one note higher than a perfect interval, it will be called augmented. Intervals can be played harmonically and melodically. Harmonically means all the notes are sounded at the same time. Melodically means that only one note is played at a time. If an interval is the same as another, they are called enharmonic. For example, an Augmented 3rd from C would be E#. A Perfect 4th from C would be F. These are actually the same note on a keyboard, and will sound the same. Therefore, only one of each enharmonic interval will be addressed both here and in the setup window. |
Intervals are difficult to recognize by ear, so people have found common songs that use the intervals so that one can place the interval with a melody one can actually hear in one's head. These songs and their respective intervals are:
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Minor 2nd | Theme from "Jaws" |
Major 2nd | N/A |
Minor 3rd | Greensleves/What Child Is This? |
Major 3rd | Beethoven's 5th Symphony |
Perfect 4th | Here Comes the Bride |
Augmented 4th | "Maria" from West Side Story |
Perfect 5th | Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star |
Minor 6th | "Persis" by James L. Hosay |
Major 6th | NBC Theme |
Minor 7th | "Somewhere" from West Side Story |
Major 7th | N/A |