Understand interval names and sounds with clear guides to perfect, major, minor, augmented, and diminished intervals.
The major seventh interval differs between just intonation and equal temperament by about 11.73 cents. In just intonation, the interval is tuned to a pure 15:8 ratio, producing a beat-free, consonant sound. In equal temperament, it is slightly wider (1100 cents), adding a subtle tension while enabling transposition to all keys.
In music, ‘unison’ refers to two or more voices or instruments sounding the same pitch at the same octave, creating a single, blended line. ‘Octave unison’—more accurately termed octave doubling—involves performing the same melodic line at different octaves, enriching the texture with doubled overtones. This article explains the distinction, notational practices, performance implications, and practical guidance for choosing between them in composition and arrangement.
In music, an interval is the measured distance in pitch between two notes, expressed by frequency ratio and step count, forming the basis of melody and harmony.
A perfect fourth is a musical interval spanning five semitones, with a frequency ratio of 4:3. It is considered one of the most stable consonances and appears frequently in melody, harmony, and chord construction.
In music, a unison occurs when two or more voices, instruments, or parts sound the same pitch or pitches an octave apart. It is the simplest form of interval and is a fundamental building block of harmony and texture.
The perfect fifth is a musical interval spanning seven semitones, known for its simple frequency ratio of 3:2 and its fundamental role in harmony, tuning, and chord construction.
A major third is a musical interval spanning four semitones, defined by a frequency ratio of 5:4 in just intonation and 400 cents in equal temperament. It forms the upper structure of major chords and is a cornerstone of Western tonal harmony.
A minor third is a musical interval spanning three letter names and three semitones. It is one of the most common intervals in Western music, forming the basis of minor chords and scales.
A major seventh is an interval spanning eleven semitones, one step below the octave. It is a distinctive, slightly dissonant interval used in a variety of musical styles, especially in jazz and contemporary harmony.
An augmented interval is a musical interval that is one semitone larger than a perfect or major interval. It creates heightened tension and is used in a variety of harmonic contexts across many styles.