INTERVALS
Intervals describe the distance in Pitch between 2 notes.   If the 2 notes are played at the same time then the interval is HARMONIC.   If the notes are played one after another then the interval is MELODIC.


Video Player Option with Music Score and Piano Playback


Right-Hand Fretboard Video Playback:


Left-Hand Fretboard Video Playback only:

The SIZE of an Interval is measured by the Number of Letter names contained between the bottom and top notes.

Intervals are measured by 2 parts, the SIZE and the QUALITY.   Quality is measured by the distance between 2 notes in SEMITONES and TONES.   A Semitone is the smallest distance between any 2 notes.   A Tone or WHOLE TONE is made up of 2 Semitones.   When we examine the Major Scale on a Piano we see a consistent pattern of Tones and Semitones, which is the same for all 15 Major Keys Signatures and Major Scales.

Tone - Tone - Semitone - Tone - Tone - Tone - Semitone



We have already seen how to measure the Size so to measure the Quality of an Interval for a Major Scale it would fall into 2 types;   Major or Perfect.


Video Player Option with Music Score and Piano Playback



The following Chart shows the number of Semitones between the notes of a Major Scale.   If we change the Key the Intervals remain the exact same for all 15 Key Signatures since the number (#) of Semitones between each Scale Note remains the same.



Table Of Major Scale Intervals

Interval
Number of Semitones
Abbreviation
  Perfect Unison
0
P Unison
  Major Second
2
Ma 2
  Major Third
4
Ma 3
  Perfect Fourth
5
P 4
  Perfect Fifth
7
P 5
  Major Sixth
9
Ma 6
  Major Seventh
11
Ma 7
  Perfect Octave
12
P Octave
     
Now if we alter a C Major Scale note with a Sharp, Double Sharp, Flat or Double Flat then the Quality of the Interval changes but the Size will remain the same since that is based on Letter Names only.   All of these accidentals raise or lower a C Major Scale note by either a Semitone or Tone (Whole Tone).

A Flat lowers a note by a Semitone while a Sharp raises a scale note by a semitone, which changes the Interval Quality.   Here are the NEW Interval Names when the note is altered by a Double Flat - Flat - Sharp or Double Sharp:

Double Flat
Flat
Interval
Sharp
Double Sharp
  Double Diminished
Diminished
Perfect
Augmented
  Double Augmented
Doub Dim 5
Dim 5
P 5
Aug 5
Doub Aug 5
 
 
     
  Diminished
Minor
Major
Augmented
  Double Augmented
Dim 3
Mi 3
Ma 3
Aug 3
Doub Aug 3
 
     

Remember, although we used a C Major Scale for this example a Key Signature with Flats that has a note with a will be raised by a Natural Sign since it cancels the Flat.   Thus, a scale note with a Flat, such as B becomes B since it would be raised by a semitone as a result of the Natural Sign.

Similarly, a Key and Scale notes with Sharps would have a note lowered by a Natural Sign by 1 semitone.

INTERVALS  BY  SONGS

You already have Memorized examples of different intervals, which you know as the first 2 notes of a Song or Theme.  Here's a list of Intervals with Song examples to help you Remember and Identify Intervals by using parts of well known Song themes or melodies!

This technique is also used in Ear Training Lessons.
Minor  2nd
  • Jaws Theme
  • Fur Elise (Beethoven)
  • Pink Panther Theme


Major  2nd
  • Happy Birthday
  • M.A.S.H. Theme
  • Yesterday (Beatles)



Minor  3rd
  • This is Old Man
  • Lullaby (Brahams)
  • Hey Jude (Beatles)



Major  3rd
  • Swing Low Sweet Chariot
  • It's a Small World (Disney Attraction)
  • Can't Buy Me Love (Beatles)



Perfect  4th
  • Here Comes The Bride
  • George of the Jungle
  • Amazing Grace



Tritone
Augmented  4th  and  Diminished  5th

  • The Simpsons
  • Maria (West Side Story)
  • Purple Haze - Openng Guitar Riff (Jimi Hendrix)



Perfect  5th
  • Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
  • Flintsone's Theme  
  • X-Files Theme



Minor  6th
  • Love Story Theme
  • Because (Beatles song)
  • The Crimson Sunrise - Dream Theater



Major  6th
  • For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
  • My Bonnie lies over the Ocean
  • Dashing Through the Snow (Jingle Bells)



Minor  7th
  • Away In A Manger
  • Josie (Steely Dan)
  • Theme from Star Trek



Major  7th
  • What's New Pussycat
  • Theme from Fantasy Island
  • Take On Me - (a'ha)



Octave
  • Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Wizard Of Oz)
  • Singing in the Rain
  • Let It Snow (Christmas)