Intervals

An interval in music is defined as a distance in pitch between any two notes. The larger the interval between two notes, the greater the difference in pitch between the notes and vice versa.

There are three parts to the way we describe an interval:

The distance of the interval
The type of interval (the interval quality)
Is the interval harmonic or melodic?

The smallest possible interval (in western music anyway) is a semitone, or in the US it’s called a half step. A semitone is the very next higher or lower note. For example, from E to F or from C to C#.

The word ‘semi’ means half (it’s the same semi that we get semiquaver from which is ‘half’ of a quaver) so we could think of the word semitone as ‘half a tone’. A tone or ‘whole step‘, therefore, is an interval of two semitones. For example:

C – D is a 2nd

C – E is a 3rd

Harmonic intervals are how we describe two notes that are played, at the same time. They are played in harmony and so are a harmonic interval.

The opposite of a harmonic interval is a melodic interval which is where the two notes are played one after the other. They are part of a melody and so are a melodic interval.

There are five different types of quality of interval which are:

perfect intervals
major intervals
augmented intervals
minor intervals
diminished intervals

We can also have intervals that are the same note. For example, two different instruments might play exactly the same note in a piece of music. This interval is called a unison.