The distance measured between two notes is

described as an INTERVAL.

The intervals we will identify are:

MajorMinor

PerfectTritone

Octave (8ve)

http://www.musictheory.net/exercises/ear-interval

Minor intervals are a semitone smaller than

Major intervals.

Any two notes that sound together or one after the other form an

interval.

The 4th, 5th and 8ve are Perfect.

The Tritone is formed by 3 tones distance.

1 semitone2 semitones

3 semitones

1 tone

2 tones

3 tones

Recognising intervals by ear can be tricky, and the ONLY way to improve is

practice.

Perfect intervals sound consonant (pleasant)

bright, happy and satisfying.

sound consonant but larger than the others.

sound consonant but smaller than the others.

sounds dissonant and large.

sounds dissonant and tiny.

Tri

tones

sound s

cary

!

Learn your intervals through songs

The first two notes of the song demonstrate the ASCENDING interval.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Take On Me

Star Trek Theme/Somewhere from West Side Story

Chick Chick Chicken

Jai Ho

E.T. Theme

The Simpsons

Here Comes the Bride

While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks

Greensleeves

Happy Birthday

JAWS Theme

Learn your intervals through songs

These songs demonstrate the DESCENDING interval.

Willow Weep for me

I Love You (Cole Porter)

Watermelon Man

The Music of The Night - ‘Night time sharpens..’

Love Story

Flintstones Theme

Blue Seven by Sonny Rollins

Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Summertime

Hey Jude

Mamma Mia

Joy to the World

Some intervals sound better than others when played together... Listen to the examples.

Try to separate the two notes in your mind to work out the interval.

Dissonant, wants to resolve

Consonant, bare, drone, power chords and chants!

VERY Dissonant!

Consonant

Dissonant, wants to resolve

Consonant ‘Best’ harmony, sounds close

Consonant, good harmony ‘Latin American sounding’

Diminished intervals are a semitone smaller than

Perfect intervals.

When describing a written interval check the written distance between notes!

Augmented intervals are a semitone bigger than Major or

Perfect intervals.

These intervals both sound the same – a Tritone, but can be described in 2 other ways.

These intervals are both 5 semitones apart. When written they are considered different.

The top notes are enharmonic (the same sounding note written differently.

Firstly decide on the number by counting the steps on the stave.

Secondly decide if the note is sharpened, flattened or as it should be in the scale.

Thirdly does that mean it is augmented, diminished, major or perfect?

Aargh! How do I know which is which?