Understand interval names and sounds with clear guides to perfect, major, minor, augmented, and diminished intervals.
The minor second is the smallest interval commonly used in Western music, spanning one semitone. Recognizing it by ear is a foundational skill for musicians, enabling them to perceive dissonance, chromatic movement, and expressive tension. This article provides practical ear-training tips, theoretical background, and cultural context to master the identification of the minor second interval.
A minor third spans three semitones, but its exact frequency ratio differs between tuning systems. In just intonation, the ratio is a pure harmonic 6:5 (315.64 cents), while in equal temperament it is an irrational approximation of 2^(3/12):1 (300 cents). This article explains the mathematical distinction, historical development, and practical consequences for performers and listeners.
Inverting a compound interval involves reducing it to its simple form, inverting that, and understanding that the result is a simple interval. This process is crucial for analyzing harmony, voice leading, and counterpoint, as it reveals the structural equivalence between intervals across octaves.
The minor seventh interval is a powerful tool in melodic improvisation, offering tension, color, and bluesy character across genres. This article explains its notation, performance, theory, and practical applications, with insights from jazz and classical traditions to help you integrate it into your own playing.
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.