What is an interval?
An interval is the distance between two notes.
- Played one after the other (melodic interval).
- Played at the same time (harmonic interval).
On a piano (or any chromatic instrument), we measure this distance in semitones (half steps). The amount of semitones completely defines how an interval sounds.
Instrument for all examples
Choose your favorite sound - all theory examples will use it.
The main interval names
In Western music we usually talk about intervals as steps between scale degrees: unison, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, octave.
Each of these sizes can correspond to one or more semitone distances. For example:
- Minor second = 1 semitone
- Major second = 2 semitones
- Minor third = 3 semitones
- Major third = 4 semitones
- Up to the octave = 12 semitones
Ascending (upwards) examples
Descending (downwards) examples
Same distances, just starting from the higher note and going down.
In your training exercises, you will see whether an interval goes up or down and you will practice recognizing both the size and the direction.
Explore intervals by semitones
Use the slider to change the distance in semitones between two notes. The center (0) is unison. Move left for intervals going down one octave, and right for intervals going up one octave.
Distance: 0 semitones (unison)
Main interval: Unison (prime) - Perfect consonantEnharmonic spellings: Augmented unison (theoretical)
Example notes: C4 -> C4
Consonant vs dissonant intervals
Intervals can feel more stable / pleasant or more tense / unstable.<br/>We call them consonant and dissonant.
Roughly speaking:
- Perfect consonances: unison, perfect fifth, octave (0, 7, 12 semitones).
- Imperfect consonances: major/minor thirds and sixths (3, 4, 8, 9 semitones).
- Dissonances: seconds, sevenths and the tritone (1, 2, 5, 6, 10, 11 semitones).
Consonant intervals (examples)
These tend to feel relaxed, resolved and pleasant. They are often used for stable harmonies.
Dissonant intervals (examples)
These feel tense and often want to resolve to a consonance.
In your consonant/dissonant levels you will learn to recognize these qualities by ear. Over time you will start to feel which intervals are stable and which want to move somewhere.
Interval qualities
Besides the size (second, third, fourth, ...), intervals also have a quality - in Dutch often called aard.
- Perfect (reine): unison, fourth, fifth, octave.
- Major / minor: seconds, thirds, sixths, sevenths.
- Augmented: one semitone larger than a perfect or major interval.
- Diminished: one semitone smaller than a perfect or minor interval.
Perfect vs major/minor
Augmented & diminished
These are "stretched" or "compressed" versions of the basic intervals.
In your Level 4 exercise you will combine both: identify the size and the quality.
Enharmonic intervals
Two intervals can sound exactly the same but be written differently. We call them enharmonic.
For example, the distance in semitones between C and F# is the same as between C and Gb. They sound identical, but on paper they have different names and sometimes different functions in harmony.
Tritone enharmonics
Third vs second (enharmonic)
Same pitch distance, different spelling.
In this trainer we mostly use the most common spelling for each semitone distance to keep things clear. Later, when your ear is strong, you can dive deeper into enharmonic spellings and harmonic context.