Music Theory - Intervals

Just as atoms are the smallest building blocks of matter, we can consider intervals the smallest building blocks of music. We need to know:

• What an interval is
• Where did it come from
• What it sounds like
• How to play it

It all starts with the major scale, remember this thing with the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

It sounds like this:

The distance between any two notes is an interval—so you need at least two notes to talk about an interval. The notes can occur one after another, like a melody ( which is how they appear below ) or they can occur simultaneously (harmony).

Here are the intervals between C and each other note in the C major scale. Lets figure out what the names mean: the number seems to indicate what scale tone is involved. In other words a Major 3rd is the interval between C and E, and E is the 3rd note in the scale. When you are ready for more, click on the More… link, below.

Major 2nd
Major 3rd
Perfect 4th
Perfect 5ht
Major 6th
Major 7th
Octave

If you are looking for software that will help you learn what intervals sound like, try this ear training program. Its free to use in demo mode and can drill you on intervals and triad chords.