Earlier, we simply described music intervals as the distance between two notes either played in succession (melodic interval) or together/simultaneously (harmonic interval).

 

Unison (A superimposed interval of a single note)

Second (Interval between 1 and 2)

Third (interval between 1 and 3)

Fourth (interval between 1 and 4)

Fifth (interval between 1 and 5)

Sixth (interval between 1 and 6)

Seventh (interval between 1 and 7)

Octave (interval between 1 and 8)

 

What if I told you that there’s more?

Intervals are not just about distance between notes but QUALITY.

The Quality definition of an interval gives a full description of the relationship between two notes of an interval.

For instance, saying a “third interval” is incomplete without saying either “major third” or “minor third” interval because C to E (major third interval) or C to Eb (minor third interval) are both “third intervals.”. The term “minor” or “major” in this case completely describes the quality of the interval.

 

Music Interval Classification

Intervals are also classified as either perfect or imperfect intervals.

 

Perfect Intervals are:

  1. Unison (P1) =
  2. Perfect 4th (P4) =
  3. Perfect 5th (P5) =
  4. Octave (P8) =

Imperfect Intervals are:

  1. Major 2nd = or Minor 2nd =
  2. Major 3rd or Minor 3rd
  3. Major 6th or Minor 6th
  4. Major 7th or Minor 7th

 

Altered Intervals

We can further reduce or Increase a Perfect or Imperfect Interval by a half step to result in an Altered Interval.

For instance, in music, it is common to alter a perfect 5th interval to give a diminished 5th (tritone) by a half-step reduction of the interval. You can also do the opposite; that is, increase a perfect 5th interval by a half step to result in an augmented 5th interval.

 

Inverted Intervals

Finally, Intervals can also be inverted to give a different interval.

A to C is a minor third interval, C to A is a Major Sixth interval.

C to G is a Perfect 5th interval, while G to C is a Perfect 4th interval.

 

That’s all about intervals for now.

 

Do these Drills and drop your answers in the comments:

  1. What is the Interval from A to G?
  2. What is the Interval from C to F?
  3. What is the Interval from Eb to G?
  4. What is the Interval from C to Gb?
  5. What is the Interval from E to G when Inverted?

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Step-Up Lessons