Basic interval

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The basic intervals are described below, and each on a separate page in more detail.

The notation below has no clef nor any alteration, to demonstrate the intervals in their diatonic principle.

The exact nature of an interval can however only be determined by two factors:

  1. the diatonic distance, giving the basic name (unison, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or octave)
  2. the chromatic distance, giving the exact name attached before the basic name (perfect, major, minor, augmented or diminished)

The diatonic distance is counted in steps of a scale, the chromatic distance is counted in semitones.

The playback (it is highly recommended to click and play, and listen to every example!) of all the examples below is deliberately set in a low register, to better appreciate the sound of the intervals, as in the low register the harmonics and interference tones are closer to the middle register of the human ear.


Contents

Unison

A unison is the interval between two identical basic tones, independent of alteration.

\version "2.12.2" \relative c, { </p> <pre><< \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } { \time 15/2 \clef bass { \override Staff.Stem #'transparent = ##t \override Staff.Clef #'transparent = ##t </pre> <p><c c>2^"Unisons" <d d> <e e> <f f> <g g> <a a> <b b> <c c> <d d> <e e> <f f> <g g> <a a> s </p> <pre>} } >> </pre> <p>}

Second

A second is the interval between two neighbouring basic tones, independent of alteration.

\version "2.12.2" \relative c, { </p> <pre><< \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } { \time 15/2 \clef bass { \override Staff.Stem #'transparent = ##t \override Staff.Clef #'transparent = ##t </pre> <p><c d>2^"Seconds" <d e> <e f> <f g> <g a> <a b> <b c> <c d> <d e> <e f> <f g> <g a> s </p> <pre>} } >> </pre> <p>}


Third

A third is the interval between two tones between which exactly one basic tone would fit, independent of alteration.

\version "2.12.2" \relative c, { </p> <pre><< \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } { \time 15/2 \clef bass { \override Staff.Stem #'transparent = ##t \override Staff.Clef #'transparent = ##t </pre> <p><b d>2^"Thirds" <c e> <d f> <e g> <f a> <g b> <a c> <b d> <c e> <d f> <e g> <f a> <g b> s </p> <pre>} } >> </pre> <p>}


Fourth

A fourth is the interval between two tones between which exactly two basic tones would fit, independent of alteration.

\version "2.12.2" \relative c, { </p> <pre><< \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } { \time 15/2 \clef bass { \override Staff.Stem #'transparent = ##t \override Staff.Clef #'transparent = ##t </pre> <p><b e>2^"Fourths" <c f> <d g> <e a> <f b> <g c> <a d> <b e> <c f> <d g> <e a> <f b> <g c> s </p> <pre>} } >> </pre> <p>}


Fifth

A fifth is the interval between two tones between which exactly three basic tones would fit, independent of alteration.

\version "2.12.2" \relative c, { </p> <pre><< \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } { \time 15/2 \clef bass { \override Staff.Stem #'transparent = ##t \override Staff.Clef #'transparent = ##t </pre> <p><b f'>2^"Fifths" <c g'> <d a'> <e b'> <f c'> <g d'> <a e'> <b f'> <c g'> <d a'> <e b'> <f c'> <g d'> s </p> <pre>} } >> </pre> <p>}


Sixth

A sixth is the interval between two tones between which exactly four basic tones would fit, independent of alteration.

\version "2.12.2" \relative c, { </p> <pre><< \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } { \time 15/2 \clef bass { \override Staff.Stem #'transparent = ##t \override Staff.Clef #'transparent = ##t </pre> <p><b g'>2^"Sixths" <c a'> <d b'> <e c'> <f d'> <g e'> <a f'> <b g'> <c a'> <d b'> <e c'> <f d'> <g e'> s </p> <pre>} } >> </pre> <p>}


Seventh

A seventh is the interval between two tones between which exactly five basic tones would fit, independent of alteration.

\version "2.12.2" \relative c, { </p> <pre><< \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } { \time 15/2 \clef bass { \override Staff.Stem #'transparent = ##t \override Staff.Clef #'transparent = ##t </pre> <p><b a'>2^"Sevenths" <c b'> <d c'> <e d'> <f e'> <g f'> <a g'> <b a'> <c b'> <d c'> <e d'> <f e'> <g f'> s </p> <pre>} } >> </pre> <p>}


Octave

An octave is the interval between two tones between which exactly six basic tones would fit, independent of alteration.

An octave is the interval between two basic tones of the same name, but with a different pitch, an octave, which is 8 steps, apart.

\version "2.12.2" \relative c, { </p> <pre><< \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } { \time 15/2 \clef bass { \override Staff.Stem #'transparent = ##t \override Staff.Clef #'transparent = ##t </pre> <p><b b'>2^"Octaves" <c c'> <d d'> <e e'> <f f'> <g g'> <a a'> <b b'> <c c'> <d d'> <e e'> <f f'> <g g'> s </p> <pre>} } >> </pre> <p>}

See also

Retrieved from "http://www.OscarvanDillen.com/Basic_interval"
Facts about Basic intervalRDF feed
Consists ofUnison  +, Second  +, Third  +, Fourth  +, Fifth  +, Sixth  +, Seventh  +, and Octave  +
IncludesPerfect  +, Major  +, Minor  +, Augmented  +, and Diminished  +
Is part ofScale  +
Measured bySemitone  +
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