What are musical intervals?

In music, musical intervals play a very important role, since they are responsible for measuring the distance between two musical tones, this means that they distinguish the height between the different degrees of the scale, consecutive or not. Also, we mentioned that the units of measure for a musical interval are whole steps and semitones.

Organization of intervals

To understand the importance of intervals in music, it is necessary to ask ourselves what a musical interval is. It is the height difference between two sounds, for example, in classical guitars each fret is equal to a semitone. That way, we can say that there is a minor second interval between each fret.

In addition, a qualifier is added to the musical intervals, for example, augmented, diminished, fair, minor and major. In this sense, the fair qualifier can only be used in the IV, V and VIII degrees, while major and minor in II, III, VI and VII.

Fair and larger intervals

In C natural you can see the major and fair intervals as follows:

Major 2nd: 1 tone

Major 3rd: 2 tones

Just 4th: 2 whole steps + 1 semitone

Perfect 5th: 3 whole steps + 1 semitone

Major 6th: 4 whole steps + 1 semitone

Major 7th: 5 whole steps + 1 semitone

8th Fair: 6 tones

As you can see, the E note has no accidental, becoming the key sound for the C major scale.

Minor and fair intervals

In the E minor scale you will be able to observe both minor and fair intervals, for example:

 Minor 2nd: 1 semitone

Minor 3rd: 1 tone + 1 semitone

Perfect 4th: 2 whole steps + 1 semitone

Perfect 5th: 3 whole steps + 1 semitone

 Minor 6th: 4 tones

Minor 7th: 5 tones

8th joust: 6 tones

Increased or Decreased Interval

As far as the augmented interval is concerned, it is one semitone higher than the major or just interval. For its part, the diminished musical interval is usually one semitone less than the just or minor interval.

Also, there are other types of musical intervals, which are ascending and descending, joint and disjoint, melodic or harmonic, simple and compound, as well as consonant or dissonant. Next, we explain each of them.

ascending and descending intervals

These intervals occur between two sounds that are successive, but the second must be higher pitched than the first. Instead, a falling interval occurs when the second sound is low.

Joint and disjoint intervals

The so-called joint intervals are those whose musical notes, either with or without alterations, occupy immediate degrees, for example, Sol-La, Si-Do, Fa-Mi. This also means that the intervals are second.

Regarding the disjoint interval, it is called that when a successive order is not being followed, but rather a jump is made. For example, from C to E there is a third jump, as well as from E to C.

Melodic and harmonic intervals

Within the types of intervals we can find melodic and harmonic, which originate between two successive sounds. If you want to learn guitar intervals, these might be the ones to start with. On YouTube you can find different musical interval exercises, both for classical and electric guitar.

Simple and compound intervals

Simple intervals fall within a perfect 8th. On the other hand, a compound interval is one that has an amplitude greater than the perfect 8th.

consonant and dissonant intervals

The first ones refer to the perfect consonance that occurs between intervals, for example, in the perfect 8th, perfect 5th and perfect 4th this happens. Likewise, an imperfect consonance occurs in the dissonant interval, an example of which is the jump of a major 3rd and a major 6th.

semitones and tones

The semitone is defined as the minimum distance that arises between two musical notes. For example, on classical guitars it is the distance between one fret and the next or between the first fret and the open string. Similarly, we mentioned that there are two types of semitones, which are: diatonic and chromatic.

In the diatonic semitone, the notes make up the minor second interval, but with different names, for example, C-Db. For its part, the chromatic semitone would be CC#, that is, the notes have the same name, only the accidental changes. It should be noted that in this type of example, C, D, E, F, G, A and B mean Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La and Si respectively.

On the other hand, the tone is a musical pattern made up of two semitones, that is, from the key C to D on the piano there is a tone.

Intervals in scales

Next, we will explain through a table the “C major scale” and the “C minor scale”, according to the distance (interval) between each of its notes. However, before looking at the table it is important to know what an octave is. This is defined as the musical interval that runs through the eight degrees of the musical scale. The C note starting the scale is lower than the octave (high C).

The C Major scale with its intervals

Keep in mind that this is the easiest interval scale of all, since the notes are natural, above all, it will be very easy to play on the piano. This is because you will only need to play the white keys.

The C minor scale with its intervals

If you noticed, there is a difference between the C major and C minor scale in the 3rd, 6th, and 7th intervals, so be careful when practicing on your classical guitar or piano. Also, remember that it is important to take a break from time to time, for example, you can stop and prepare something hot in a Senseo coffee machine. Then, continue studying the scales with their respective intervals. The most important thing is that you don’t stress.