Intervals
What is an Interval?
An interval is the distance between two pitches, measured in semitones (half-steps). Every interval has a number (2nd, 3rd, 5th…) and a quality (major, minor, perfect…). They are the building blocks of melody and harmony.
Interval Quality
Perfect
P1 P4 P5 P8
Unisons, 4ths, 5ths, octaves — stable in any context
Major
M2 M3 M6 M7
Larger versions of imperfect intervals — bright sound
Minor
m2 m3 m6 m7
One semitone smaller than Major — darker, mellower
Aug / Dim
A4 d5 …
One semitone wider (Aug) or narrower (Dim) than Perfect/Major
Reference Table
| St | Name | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Unison P1 | |
| 1 | Minor 2nd m2 | |
| 2 | Major 2nd M2 | |
| 3 | Minor 3rd m3 | |
| 4 | Major 3rd M3 | |
| 5 | Perfect 4th P4 | |
| 6 | Tritone TT | |
| 7 | Perfect 5th P5 | |
| 8 | Minor 6th m6 | |
| 9 | Major 6th M6 | |
| 10 | Minor 7th m7 | |
| 11 | Major 7th M7 | |
| 12 | Octave P8 |
Consonance vs Dissonance
Consonant
Stable, resolved — can stand alone without needing to move
Dissonant
Tense, unstable — create energy that wants to resolve