Interval (music)
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.
Intervals
Understand interval names and sounds with clear guides to perfect, major, minor, augmented, and diminished intervals.
Read More →
Perfect Fourth (musical interval)
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.
Unison (music)
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.
Perfect Fifth
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.
Major third
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.
Minor third (musical interval)
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.
Major Seventh (Interval)
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.
Augmented interval
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.
Minor sixth
The minor sixth is a musical interval spanning eight semitones, equivalent to a distance of 800 cents in equal temperament. It can be heard in melody and harmony across many musical styles and has distinct acoustic properties in just intonation.
Major second
A major second is a musical interval spanning two semitones, also known as a whole tone. It is one of the basic building blocks of Western tonal music, appearing in scales, melodies, and harmonies.