Intervals are the distances between any two notes. Each interval will have a number - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. These numbers are the distance between two notes, based upon counting the lines and spaces on the staff.
For example, if we count lines and spaces, starting from C and ending on G, we count: C,D,E,F,G = 1,2,3,4,5, Therefore, the interval from C to G is a fifth (5th).
We can also keep counting past 8, through 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, but usually not past 13.
List of interval types:
- Unison - 1
- Second - 2nd
- Third - 3rd
- Fourth - 4th
- Fifth - 5th
- Sixth - 6th
- Seventh - 7th
- Octave - 8ve
- Ninth - 9th
- Tenth - 10th
- Eleventh - 11th
- Twelfth - 12th
- Thirteenth - 13th
Interval quality:
Intervals also have another identifier in addition to number called the interval quality. Intervals can be called Major (M), minor (m), Perfect (P), Augmented (A), or diminished (d).
Major Intervals:
Minor Intervals:
Perfect Intervals:
Augmented Intervals:
Diminished Intervals:
Each interval comprises of a certain number of half-steps. With the aid of a keyboard it is easy to visualize and count the number of half-steps that make up intervals.
List of intervals:
- P1, d2 = 0 half-steps
- m2, A1 = 1 half-step
- M2, d3 = 2 half-steps
- m3, A2 = 3 half-steps
- M3, d4 = 4 half-steps
- P4, A3 = 5 half-steps
- A4, d5 = 6 half-steps
- P5, d6 = 7 half-steps
- m6, A5 = 8 half-steps
- M6, d7 = 9 half-steps
- m7, A6 = 10 half-steps
- M7, d8 = 11 half-steps
- P8, A7 = 12 half-steps
