In this lesson, we are going to learn about simple musical intervals. What is a musical interval? A musical interval is the difference or distance in pitch between 2 musical notes. Before reading the rest of this article, please make sure you know what the Half Step (or Semitone) musical interval and the Whole Step (or Whole Tone) musical interval are. You can read the blog post about the Half Step (or Semitone) musical interval and the Whole Step (or Whole Tone) musical interval if you don’t know what they are; the link to the blog post that teaches about them is below:
What is a Simple Musical Interval? A Simple musical interval is a musical interval that is not bigger than an Octave i.e. a simple musical interval is either as big as an octave or less than an octave. What is an Octave? An Octave is a musical interval that contains 12 half steps (or semitones). For example, the distance between the note C and the next note C on the right of the Piano is 12 half steps. Hence, this is an example of an octave. The note C on the right of the note C that is on the left is an octave away from the note C that is on the left.
A musical interval can be named according to its number and its quality. For example, ‘Major Second‘ is an interval name; the term ‘Major’ describes the quality of the interval and ‘Second’ indicates its number. In this article, we are going to learn about Perfect Intervals, Major Intervals, Minor Intervals, Augmented Intervals and Diminished Intervals.
Major, Minor and Perfect Intervals
The musical interval between a particular musical note and the same musical note is known as a Perfect Unison. For example, the musical interval between the note C and the same note C is known as a Perfect Unison.
A musical interval that contains 1 half step is known as a Minor Second. For example, the musical interval between the note C and the note C# is known as a Minor Second.
A musical interval that contains 2 half steps is known as a Major Second. For example, the musical interval between the note C and the note D is known as a Major Second.
A musical interval that contains 3 half steps is known as a Minor Third. For example, the musical interval between the note C and the note E flat is known as a Minor Third.
A musical interval that contains 4 half steps is known as a Major Third. For example, the musical interval between the note C and the note E is known as a Major Third.
A musical interval that contains 5 half steps is known as a Perfect Fourth. For example, the musical interval between the note C and the note F is known as a Perfect Fourth.
A musical interval that contains 7 half steps is known as a Perfect Fifth. For example, the musical interval between the note C and the note G is known as a Perfect Fifth.
A musical interval that contains 8 half steps is known as a Minor Sixth. For example, the musical interval between the note C and the note A flat is known as a Minor Sixth.
A musical interval that contains 9 half steps is known as a Major Sixth. For example, the musical interval between the note C and the note A is known as a Major Sixth.
A musical interval that contains 10 half steps is known as a Minor Seventh. For example, the musical interval between the note C and the note B flat is known as a Minor Seventh.
A musical interval that contains 11 half steps is known as a Major Seventh. For example, the musical interval between the note C and the note B is known as a Major Seventh.
A musical interval that contains 12 half steps is known as a Perfect Octave. This musical interval can also be referred to as a Perfect Eighth. Alternatively, this musical interval can also be called an Octave.
Diminished and Augmented Intervals
A Diminished interval is an interval that is less than a Minor interval by 1 half step. For example, if you decrease the Minor Third interval by 1 half step, this will give you a Diminished Third. A Diminished Third can also be called a Major Second. Let me give you a practical example: the musical interval between the note D and the note E can be known as a Major Second or a Diminished Third.
A Diminished interval is also an interval that is less than a Perfect interval by 1 half step. For example, if you decrease the Perfect Fourth interval by 1 half step, this will give you a Diminished Fourth. A Diminished Fourth can also be called a Major Third. Let me give you a practical example: the musical interval between the note G and the note B can be known as a Major Third or a Diminished Fourth. Let me give you the final example: the musical interval between the note C and the note F# can be known as a Diminished Fifth.
An Augmented interval is an interval that is more than a Major interval by 1 half step. For example, if you increase the Major Third interval by 1 half step, this will give you an Augmented Third. An Augmented Third can also be called a Perfect Fourth. Let me give you a practical example: the musical interval between the note E and the note A can be known as an Augmented Third or a Perfect Fourth.
An Augmented interval is also an interval that is more than a Perfect interval by 1 half step. For example, if you increase the Perfect Fifth interval by 1 half step, this will give you an Augmented Fifth. An Augmented Fifth can also be called a Minor Sixth. Let me give you a practical example: the musical interval between the note D and the note B flat can be known as an Augmented Fifth or a Minor Sixth. Let me give you the final example: the musical interval between the note C and the note F# can be known as an Augmented Fourth.
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