If you’ve ever taken a music lesson, you’ve likely heard the word interval thrown around. But what exactly are intervals, and why are they so important? Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced musician, understanding intervals is key to mastering your instrument, improving your ear, and even composing your own music.
What Is an Interval?
In music, an interval is the distance between two notes. It’s one of the building blocks of melody and harmony, helping us create recognizable tunes and emotional effects. Intervals can be measured in two ways:
1. By Number – This refers to how many letter names apart the two notes are.
2. By Quality – This describes whether the interval is major, minor, perfect, augmented, or diminished.
For example, if you play a C and then an E, that’s a third because C-D-E spans three letter names. If the E is a half step lower (E♭), the interval becomes a minor third instead of a major third.
Types of Intervals
Intervals can be categorized in different ways based on how they sound and function in music.
Melodic vs. Harmonic Intervals
• A melodic interval is when two notes are played one after the other, like in a melody.
• A harmonic interval is when two notes are played at the same time, forming harmony.
Simple vs. Compound Intervals
• Simple intervals are one octave or smaller.
• Compound intervals are larger than an octave (e.g., a ninth is like a second, but one octave higher).
Perfect, Major, Minor, Augmented, and Diminished Intervals
• Perfect intervals (unison, fourth, fifth, octave) have a stable and consonant sound.
• Major intervals (second, third, sixth, seventh) are generally bright and happy.
• Minor intervals are a half step smaller than major and often sound more somber.
• Augmented intervals are a half step larger than perfect or major intervals.
• Diminished intervals are a half step smaller than perfect or minor intervals.
How Intervals Shape Music
Understanding intervals helps with:
• Ear training – Recognizing intervals makes sight-reading and playing by ear easier.
• Chord building – Chords are created by stacking intervals. A major chord is built from a major third and a perfect fifth.
• Melody writing – Knowing how intervals sound helps create expressive melodies.
Tips for Learning Intervals
1. Use reference songs – Many musicians memorize intervals by associating them with famous tunes. For example, a perfect fourth sounds like the opening of “Here Comes the Bride.”
2. Practice singing intervals – Singing helps internalize the sound of each interval.
3. Play them on your instrument – Experimenting with intervals on the piano or another instrument helps reinforce their relationships.
4. Try interval exercises – Apps, flashcards, and ear-training exercises can improve your interval recognition.
Final Thoughts
Intervals are the foundation of music, affecting everything from melodies to harmonies. By understanding and practicing them, you’ll develop a stronger musical ear, improve your playing, and unlock new creative possibilities.