| An interval is the measurement of the distance in pitch | | | | One can employ this method in any context whether |
| between any two notes (e.g. C-D-E). A harmonic | | | | or not the major scale is actually being used. |
| interval occurs if the notes are performed | | | | The term perfect (which is abbreviated with a P) is a |
| simultaneously such as C-E-G. Whereas a melodic | | | | modifier used only in connection with the unisons (1), |
| interval results when the notes are played in | | | | 4ths, 5ths, 8ves and their compounds such as 11ths, |
| succession (e.g. C-D-E). The important thing to | | | | 13ths and so on. A P1, P4, P5 and P8 can be |
| remember is that the method of measuring intervals is | | | | constructed by using 1 in the major scale as the |
| the same for both harmonic and melodic intervals. | | | | bottom note. For example, with a C major scale a P1 |
| There are two basic parts to any interval: the | | | | would be C, a P4 would be from C to F, a P5 would |
| numerical name such as 1,2, 3, 4, 5, etc. and what we | | | | be from C to G and a P8 would be from C to C. |
| call the modifier that precedes the numercial name | | | | If you want to spell one of the intervals above the |
| (major, minor, augmented, diminished). Regardless, the | | | | note D, you only need to think of scale steps 1, 4, 5 |
| numerical name is a measurement of how far apart | | | | and 8 of the D major scale which would be D, G, A |
| the notes are vertically on the staff, no matter what | | | | and D. |
| accidentals (sharps, flats) are involved. | | | | The modifiers major and minor are used only in |
| When discussing intervals we use the terms unison | | | | connection with 2nds, 3rds, 6ths and 7ths. The intervals |
| instead of 1 and octave (8ve) instead of 8. We also | | | | formed by scale degrees 1-2 (D-E), 1-3 (D-F sharp), 1-6 |
| use 2nd instead of "two", 3rd instead of "three", etc. If | | | | (D-B) and 1-7 (D-C sharp) in the major scale are all |
| an interval is smaller than an octave (8ve) we call | | | | major intervals. If a major interval is made a half step |
| them simple intervals. If the interval is an 8ve or larger | | | | smaller without altering its numerical name, it will then |
| we call it a compound interval. | | | | become a minor interval (e.g. D-Eflat, D-F, D-Bflat, D-C). |
| So what is a modifier? One way to begin learning the | | | | You can make an interval smaller by lowering the top |
| modifiers for intervals is by simply relating them to the | | | | note or raising the bottom note. |
| intervals that are in a major scale (see my previous | | | | Congratulations! You are well on your way to |
| article on scales). For instance, the first note of the | | | | understanding intervals. In my next article, we will |
| scale would be known as scale degree 1, then scale | | | | discuss the augmented and diminished intervals. So |
| degree 2, etc. all the way up the other scale degrees. | | | | stay tuned... |