PhatPhish

Intervals

 

The distance between the pitches of two notes is known as an interval, and is measured in semitones. On the guitar, 1 fret = 1 semitone (or half-step), 2 frets = 1 whole tone (or whole-step). Note that this tutorial just deals with intervals of less than 1 octave (12 semitones); there'll be another tutorial at a later date which covers bigger intervals.

When referring to intervals, the interval can be given a name based upon the distance between the notes within a scale. For example, using the C major scale:

C è C 0 semitones Unison (or Perfect Unison)
C è D 2 semitone Major 2nd
C è E 4 semitones Major 3rd
C è F 5 semitones Perfect 4th
C è G 7 semitones Perfect 5th
C è A 9 semitones Major 6th
C è B 11 semitones Major 7th
C è C 12 semitones Perfect Octave

Naming Convention:

Interval Name Size (semitones) Example
Unison
Diminished 2nd
0 C è C
C è Dbb
Minor 2nd
Augmented Unison
1 C è Db
C è C#
Major 2nd
Diminished 3rd
2 C è D
C è Ebb
Minor 3rd
Augmented 2nd
3 C è Eb
C è D#
Major 3rd
Diminished 4th
4 C è E
C è Fb
Perfect 4th
Augmented 3rd
5 C è F
C è E#
Augmented 4th
Diminished 5th
6 C è F#
C è Gb
Perfect 5th
Diminished 6th
7 C è G
C è Abb
Minor 6th
Augmented 5th
8 C è Ab
C è G#
Major 6th
Diminished 7th
9 C è A
C è Bbb
Minor 7th
Augmented 6th
10 C è Bb
C è A#
Major 7th
Diminished Octave
11 C è B
C è Cb
Perfect Octave
Augmented 7th
12 C è C
C è B#

 

An interval can be 'harmonic' or 'melodic' - when two notes are played together then the interval between them is said to be harmonic; a melodic interval occurs between two notes played in succession:

 

Each interval, whether harmonic or melodic, has its own unique sound. Some intervals, such as a perfect fifth, or octave have a fairly consonant (or resolved) sound. Others, such as a minor 2nd or diminished 5th have a much more dissonant (or unresolved) sound. The degree of consonance/dissonance is particular to the size of the interval, and not to its notes. For example, perfect 5th between C and G sounds just as resolved as an interval of a perfect fifth between A and E.

Training you ear to recognise the sound of each interval is a vital skill. Spend time learning the names of intervals, and understand how they relate to the parent major scale. More importantly, put the theory into practise: as part of your daily practise routine, spend time playing and listening to intervals - in time you will come to recognise them upon first hearing. It will seem like hard work at first, but it is a very worthwhile investment of your time so persevere.

Guitarists might also find it useful to refer to this chart to see how intervals are laid out on the fingervboard.

More about ear-training in a later tutorial, but in the meantime...good luck.


Rate This Tutorial

How useful did you find this tutorial?

Very useful
Fairly useful
OK, but didn't tell me anything new
Not a great deal of help
No help at all

Product/Info... PhatPhish Application | Product Help | GUPPY - PhatPhish for the web | About The Author
Get Stuff... Download PhatPhish | Mechandise | Blank Stave And Tab Sheets | Tutorials
Do Stuff... Register | Feedback | Links | Donate | Ask A Question
Social Media... YouTube | Facebook | Instagram
Promote... Spread The Word | Posters/Flyers
Play... PhatPhish Picks - Boutique Plectrums
©2002-2022, Dave Dixon / CyberFlotsam
http://www.cyberflotsam.com