In music theory, an interval is the measure of the distance between two pitches. The smallest interval in Western music is a half step. There are several types of intervals, like perfect and non-perfect. Non-perfect intervals can be either major or minor.
Perfect Intervals
Perfect intervals have only one basic form. The first (also called prime or unison), fourth, fifth and eighth (or octave) are all perfect intervals. These intervals are called “perfect” most likely due to the way that these types of intervals sound and that their frequency ratios are simple whole numbers. Perfect intervals sound “perfectly consonant.” Which means, when played together, there is a sweet tone to the interval. It sounds perfect or resolved. Whereas, a dissonant sound feels tense and in need of resolution.
Non-Perfect Intervals
Non-perfect intervals have two basic forms. The second, third, sixth and seventh are non-perfect intervals; it can either be a major or minor interval.
Major intervals are from the major scale. Minor intervals are exactly a half-step lower than major intervals.
Table of Intervals
Here is a handy table that will make it easier for you to determine intervals by counting the distance of one note to another note in half steps. You need to count every line and space starting from the bottom note going to the top note. Remember to count the bottom note as your first note.
Perfect Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Unison not applicable
Perfect 4th 5
Perfect 5th 7
Perfect Octave 12
Major Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Major 2nd 2
Major 3rd 4
Major 6th 9
Major 7th 11
Minor Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Minor 2nd 1
Minor 3rd 3
Minor 6th 8
Minor 7th 10
Example of Size or Distance of Intervals
To understand the concept of size or distance of an interval, look at the C Major Scale.
Prime/First—C to CSecond—C to DThird—C to EFourth—C to FFifth—C to GSixth—C to SSeventh—C to BOctave—C to C
Quality of Intervals
Interval qualities can be described as major, minor, harmonic, melodic, perfect, augmented, and diminished. When you lower a perfect interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented.
When you lower a major non-perfect interval a half step it becomes a minor interval. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented. When you lower a minor interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise a minor interval a half step it becomes a major interval.
Inventor of the Interval System
Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras was interested in understanding the notes and scales used in Greek music. He is generally considered the first person to call the relationship between two notes an interval.
In particular, he studied the Greek stringed instrument, the lyre. He studied two strings with the same length, tension, and thickness. He noticed that the strings sound the same when you pluck them. They are in unison. They have the same pitch and sound good (or consonant) when played together.
Then he studied strings that had different lengths. He kept the string tension and thickness the same. Played together, those strings had different pitches and generally sounded bad (or dissonant).
Finally, he noticed that for certain lengths, the two strings may have had different pitches, but now sounded consonant rather than dissonant. Pythagoras was the first person to designate intervals as perfect versus non-perfect.
What are Intervals?
Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals
Understanding Dissonant and Consonant Chords
Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory
A Musical Chord Defined
Learn to Play Diminished Chords on Bass
Suspended Chords
How a Diminished Chord Is Created
Printable Piano Lesson Book
Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar
triad
Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic
The Italian Commands of Piano Music
How to Play Along With Chords on Bass
Learning 7th Barre Chords and Chord Inversions on Guitar
octave
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In music theory, an interval is the measure of the distance between two pitches. The smallest interval in Western music is a half step. There are several types of intervals, like perfect and non-perfect. Non-perfect intervals can be either major or minor.
Perfect Intervals
Perfect intervals have only one basic form. The first (also called prime or unison), fourth, fifth and eighth (or octave) are all perfect intervals. These intervals are called “perfect” most likely due to the way that these types of intervals sound and that their frequency ratios are simple whole numbers. Perfect intervals sound “perfectly consonant.” Which means, when played together, there is a sweet tone to the interval. It sounds perfect or resolved. Whereas, a dissonant sound feels tense and in need of resolution.
Non-Perfect Intervals
Non-perfect intervals have two basic forms. The second, third, sixth and seventh are non-perfect intervals; it can either be a major or minor interval.
Major intervals are from the major scale. Minor intervals are exactly a half-step lower than major intervals.
Table of Intervals
Here is a handy table that will make it easier for you to determine intervals by counting the distance of one note to another note in half steps. You need to count every line and space starting from the bottom note going to the top note. Remember to count the bottom note as your first note.
Perfect Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Unison not applicable
Perfect 4th 5
Perfect 5th 7
Perfect Octave 12
Major Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Major 2nd 2
Major 3rd 4
Major 6th 9
Major 7th 11
Minor Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Minor 2nd 1
Minor 3rd 3
Minor 6th 8
Minor 7th 10
Example of Size or Distance of Intervals
To understand the concept of size or distance of an interval, look at the C Major Scale.
Prime/First—C to CSecond—C to DThird—C to EFourth—C to FFifth—C to GSixth—C to SSeventh—C to BOctave—C to C
Quality of Intervals
Interval qualities can be described as major, minor, harmonic, melodic, perfect, augmented, and diminished. When you lower a perfect interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented.
When you lower a major non-perfect interval a half step it becomes a minor interval. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented. When you lower a minor interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise a minor interval a half step it becomes a major interval.
Inventor of the Interval System
Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras was interested in understanding the notes and scales used in Greek music. He is generally considered the first person to call the relationship between two notes an interval.
In particular, he studied the Greek stringed instrument, the lyre. He studied two strings with the same length, tension, and thickness. He noticed that the strings sound the same when you pluck them. They are in unison. They have the same pitch and sound good (or consonant) when played together.
Then he studied strings that had different lengths. He kept the string tension and thickness the same. Played together, those strings had different pitches and generally sounded bad (or dissonant).
Finally, he noticed that for certain lengths, the two strings may have had different pitches, but now sounded consonant rather than dissonant. Pythagoras was the first person to designate intervals as perfect versus non-perfect.
What are Intervals?
Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals
Understanding Dissonant and Consonant Chords
Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory
A Musical Chord Defined
Learn to Play Diminished Chords on Bass
Suspended Chords
How a Diminished Chord Is Created
Printable Piano Lesson Book
Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar
triad
Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic
The Italian Commands of Piano Music
How to Play Along With Chords on Bass
Learning 7th Barre Chords and Chord Inversions on Guitar
octave
Home
Entertainment
Careers
Activities
Humor
About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
In music theory, an interval is the measure of the distance between two pitches. The smallest interval in Western music is a half step. There are several types of intervals, like perfect and non-perfect. Non-perfect intervals can be either major or minor.
Perfect Intervals
Perfect intervals have only one basic form. The first (also called prime or unison), fourth, fifth and eighth (or octave) are all perfect intervals. These intervals are called “perfect” most likely due to the way that these types of intervals sound and that their frequency ratios are simple whole numbers. Perfect intervals sound “perfectly consonant.” Which means, when played together, there is a sweet tone to the interval. It sounds perfect or resolved. Whereas, a dissonant sound feels tense and in need of resolution.
Non-Perfect Intervals
Non-perfect intervals have two basic forms. The second, third, sixth and seventh are non-perfect intervals; it can either be a major or minor interval.
Major intervals are from the major scale. Minor intervals are exactly a half-step lower than major intervals.
Table of Intervals
Here is a handy table that will make it easier for you to determine intervals by counting the distance of one note to another note in half steps. You need to count every line and space starting from the bottom note going to the top note. Remember to count the bottom note as your first note.
Perfect Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Unison not applicable
Perfect 4th 5
Perfect 5th 7
Perfect Octave 12
Major Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Major 2nd 2
Major 3rd 4
Major 6th 9
Major 7th 11
Minor Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Minor 2nd 1
Minor 3rd 3
Minor 6th 8
Minor 7th 10
Example of Size or Distance of Intervals
To understand the concept of size or distance of an interval, look at the C Major Scale.
Prime/First—C to CSecond—C to DThird—C to EFourth—C to FFifth—C to GSixth—C to SSeventh—C to BOctave—C to C
Quality of Intervals
Interval qualities can be described as major, minor, harmonic, melodic, perfect, augmented, and diminished. When you lower a perfect interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented.
When you lower a major non-perfect interval a half step it becomes a minor interval. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented. When you lower a minor interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise a minor interval a half step it becomes a major interval.
Inventor of the Interval System
Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras was interested in understanding the notes and scales used in Greek music. He is generally considered the first person to call the relationship between two notes an interval.
In particular, he studied the Greek stringed instrument, the lyre. He studied two strings with the same length, tension, and thickness. He noticed that the strings sound the same when you pluck them. They are in unison. They have the same pitch and sound good (or consonant) when played together.
Then he studied strings that had different lengths. He kept the string tension and thickness the same. Played together, those strings had different pitches and generally sounded bad (or dissonant).
Finally, he noticed that for certain lengths, the two strings may have had different pitches, but now sounded consonant rather than dissonant. Pythagoras was the first person to designate intervals as perfect versus non-perfect.
What are Intervals?
Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals
Understanding Dissonant and Consonant Chords
Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory
A Musical Chord Defined
Learn to Play Diminished Chords on Bass
Suspended Chords
How a Diminished Chord Is Created
Printable Piano Lesson Book
Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar
triad
Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic
The Italian Commands of Piano Music
How to Play Along With Chords on Bass
Learning 7th Barre Chords and Chord Inversions on Guitar
octave
Home
Entertainment
Careers
Activities
Humor
About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
In music theory, an interval is the measure of the distance between two pitches. The smallest interval in Western music is a half step. There are several types of intervals, like perfect and non-perfect. Non-perfect intervals can be either major or minor.
Perfect Intervals
Perfect intervals have only one basic form. The first (also called prime or unison), fourth, fifth and eighth (or octave) are all perfect intervals. These intervals are called “perfect” most likely due to the way that these types of intervals sound and that their frequency ratios are simple whole numbers. Perfect intervals sound “perfectly consonant.” Which means, when played together, there is a sweet tone to the interval. It sounds perfect or resolved. Whereas, a dissonant sound feels tense and in need of resolution.
Non-Perfect Intervals
Non-perfect intervals have two basic forms. The second, third, sixth and seventh are non-perfect intervals; it can either be a major or minor interval.
Major intervals are from the major scale. Minor intervals are exactly a half-step lower than major intervals.
Table of Intervals
Here is a handy table that will make it easier for you to determine intervals by counting the distance of one note to another note in half steps. You need to count every line and space starting from the bottom note going to the top note. Remember to count the bottom note as your first note.
Perfect Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Unison not applicable
Perfect 4th 5
Perfect 5th 7
Perfect Octave 12
Major Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Major 2nd 2
Major 3rd 4
Major 6th 9
Major 7th 11
Minor Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Minor 2nd 1
Minor 3rd 3
Minor 6th 8
Minor 7th 10
Example of Size or Distance of Intervals
To understand the concept of size or distance of an interval, look at the C Major Scale.
Prime/First—C to CSecond—C to DThird—C to EFourth—C to FFifth—C to GSixth—C to SSeventh—C to BOctave—C to C
Quality of Intervals
Interval qualities can be described as major, minor, harmonic, melodic, perfect, augmented, and diminished. When you lower a perfect interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented.
When you lower a major non-perfect interval a half step it becomes a minor interval. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented. When you lower a minor interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise a minor interval a half step it becomes a major interval.
Inventor of the Interval System
Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras was interested in understanding the notes and scales used in Greek music. He is generally considered the first person to call the relationship between two notes an interval.
In particular, he studied the Greek stringed instrument, the lyre. He studied two strings with the same length, tension, and thickness. He noticed that the strings sound the same when you pluck them. They are in unison. They have the same pitch and sound good (or consonant) when played together.
Then he studied strings that had different lengths. He kept the string tension and thickness the same. Played together, those strings had different pitches and generally sounded bad (or dissonant).
Finally, he noticed that for certain lengths, the two strings may have had different pitches, but now sounded consonant rather than dissonant. Pythagoras was the first person to designate intervals as perfect versus non-perfect.
What are Intervals?
Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals
Understanding Dissonant and Consonant Chords
Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory
A Musical Chord Defined
Learn to Play Diminished Chords on Bass
Suspended Chords
How a Diminished Chord Is Created
Printable Piano Lesson Book
Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar
triad
Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic
The Italian Commands of Piano Music
How to Play Along With Chords on Bass
Learning 7th Barre Chords and Chord Inversions on Guitar
octave
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
Major Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Major 2nd 2
Major 3rd 4
Major 6th 9
Major 7th 11
Minor Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Minor 2nd 1
Minor 3rd 3
Minor 6th 8
Minor 7th 10
Example of Size or Distance of Intervals
To understand the concept of size or distance of an interval, look at the C Major Scale.
Prime/First—C to CSecond—C to DThird—C to EFourth—C to FFifth—C to GSixth—C to SSeventh—C to BOctave—C to C
Quality of Intervals
Interval qualities can be described as major, minor, harmonic, melodic, perfect, augmented, and diminished. When you lower a perfect interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented.
When you lower a major non-perfect interval a half step it becomes a minor interval. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented. When you lower a minor interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise a minor interval a half step it becomes a major interval.
Inventor of the Interval System
Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras was interested in understanding the notes and scales used in Greek music. He is generally considered the first person to call the relationship between two notes an interval.
In particular, he studied the Greek stringed instrument, the lyre. He studied two strings with the same length, tension, and thickness. He noticed that the strings sound the same when you pluck them. They are in unison. They have the same pitch and sound good (or consonant) when played together.
Then he studied strings that had different lengths. He kept the string tension and thickness the same. Played together, those strings had different pitches and generally sounded bad (or dissonant).
Finally, he noticed that for certain lengths, the two strings may have had different pitches, but now sounded consonant rather than dissonant. Pythagoras was the first person to designate intervals as perfect versus non-perfect.
Minor Intervals
Type of Interval Number of Half-steps
Minor 2nd 1
Minor 3rd 3
Minor 6th 8
Minor 7th 10
Example of Size or Distance of Intervals
To understand the concept of size or distance of an interval, look at the C Major Scale.
Prime/First—C to CSecond—C to DThird—C to EFourth—C to FFifth—C to GSixth—C to SSeventh—C to BOctave—C to C
Quality of Intervals
Interval qualities can be described as major, minor, harmonic, melodic, perfect, augmented, and diminished. When you lower a perfect interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented.
When you lower a major non-perfect interval a half step it becomes a minor interval. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented. When you lower a minor interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise a minor interval a half step it becomes a major interval.
Inventor of the Interval System
Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras was interested in understanding the notes and scales used in Greek music. He is generally considered the first person to call the relationship between two notes an interval.
In particular, he studied the Greek stringed instrument, the lyre. He studied two strings with the same length, tension, and thickness. He noticed that the strings sound the same when you pluck them. They are in unison. They have the same pitch and sound good (or consonant) when played together.
Then he studied strings that had different lengths. He kept the string tension and thickness the same. Played together, those strings had different pitches and generally sounded bad (or dissonant).
Finally, he noticed that for certain lengths, the two strings may have had different pitches, but now sounded consonant rather than dissonant. Pythagoras was the first person to designate intervals as perfect versus non-perfect.
Example of Size or Distance of Intervals
To understand the concept of size or distance of an interval, look at the C Major Scale.
- Prime/First—C to CSecond—C to DThird—C to EFourth—C to FFifth—C to GSixth—C to SSeventh—C to BOctave—C to C
Quality of Intervals
Interval qualities can be described as major, minor, harmonic, melodic, perfect, augmented, and diminished. When you lower a perfect interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented.
When you lower a major non-perfect interval a half step it becomes a minor interval. When you raise it a half step it becomes augmented. When you lower a minor interval by a half step it becomes diminished. When you raise a minor interval a half step it becomes a major interval.
Inventor of the Interval System
Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras was interested in understanding the notes and scales used in Greek music. He is generally considered the first person to call the relationship between two notes an interval.
In particular, he studied the Greek stringed instrument, the lyre. He studied two strings with the same length, tension, and thickness. He noticed that the strings sound the same when you pluck them. They are in unison. They have the same pitch and sound good (or consonant) when played together.
Then he studied strings that had different lengths. He kept the string tension and thickness the same. Played together, those strings had different pitches and generally sounded bad (or dissonant).
Finally, he noticed that for certain lengths, the two strings may have had different pitches, but now sounded consonant rather than dissonant. Pythagoras was the first person to designate intervals as perfect versus non-perfect.
What are Intervals?
Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals
Understanding Dissonant and Consonant Chords
Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory
A Musical Chord Defined
Learn to Play Diminished Chords on Bass
Suspended Chords
How a Diminished Chord Is Created
Printable Piano Lesson Book
Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar
triad
Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic
The Italian Commands of Piano Music
How to Play Along With Chords on Bass
Learning 7th Barre Chords and Chord Inversions on Guitar
octave
What are Intervals?
What are Intervals?
Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals
Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals
Understanding Dissonant and Consonant Chords
Understanding Dissonant and Consonant Chords
Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory
Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory
A Musical Chord Defined
A Musical Chord Defined
Learn to Play Diminished Chords on Bass
Learn to Play Diminished Chords on Bass
Suspended Chords
Suspended Chords
How a Diminished Chord Is Created
How a Diminished Chord Is Created
Printable Piano Lesson Book
Printable Piano Lesson Book
Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar
Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar
triad
triad
Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic
Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic
The Italian Commands of Piano Music
The Italian Commands of Piano Music
How to Play Along With Chords on Bass
How to Play Along With Chords on Bass
Learning 7th Barre Chords and Chord Inversions on Guitar
Learning 7th Barre Chords and Chord Inversions on Guitar
octave
octave
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EU Privacy
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LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
