Writing Ascending Melodic Intervals

Writing Ascending Melodic Intervals

Chapter 6

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Writing Ascending Melodic Intervals

Sometimes instead of identifying an interval, we are provided with one note and must write the second note to complete the interval. Remember, a melodic interval is two notes that occur one after the other, and if it is ascending, it goes from low note to high note.

How to Write an Ascending U, 4, 5, or 8

If you want to write an interval that is an ascending U, 4, 5, or 8, do the following:

1. Temporarily assume you are in the major key of the lower note

2. Ask yourself what letter name is the distance (i.e. U, 4, 5, or 8) above

3. If it should be perfect, it should match the major key signature of the bottom note

4. If it should be augmented, raise it by a half step

5. If it should be diminished, lower it by a half step

Let's Try it Together

If you want to build a P5 (perfect fifth) off of the note Db...

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1. Temporarily assume you are in the key of Db major

2. The letter name a fifth above Db is A something

3. The key of Db major has 5 b's (Bb Eb Ab Db Gb), including Ab

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Perfect intervals match the major key. Db to Ab is a P5.

Let's Try Again

If you want to build a d4 (diminished fourth) off of the note F...

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1. Temporarily assume you are in the key of F major

2. The letter name a fourth above F is B something

3. The key of F major has 1 b (Bb) so F to Bb is a P4

4. Diminished intervals that are a U, 4, 5, or 8 should be lowered a half step

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If F to Bb is lowered a half step, it becomes F to Bbb (double flat). F to Bbb is a d4.

Let's Try One More

If you want to build an A8 (augmented eighth/octave) off of the note G...

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1. Temporarily assume you are in the key of G major

2. The letter name an octave above G is G something

3. The key of G major has 1 # (F#) so G to G is a P8 (perfect octave)

4. Augmented intervals that are a U, 4, 5, or 8 should be raised a half step

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If G to G is raised a half step, it becomes G to G#. G to G# is an A8.

How to Write an Ascending 2, 3, 6, or 7

If you want to write an interval that is an ascending 2, 3, 6, or 7, do the following:

1. Temporarily assume you are in the major key of the lower note

2. Ask yourself what letter name is the distance (i.e. 2, 3, 6, or 7) above

3. If it should be major, it should match the major key signature of the bottom note

4. If it should be minor, lower it by a half step

5. If it should be augmented, raise it by a half step

6. If it should be diminished, lower it by a whole step

Let's Try It Together

If you want to build a M3 (Major 3rd) off of the note F...

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1. Temporarily assume you are in F major

2. The letter name a 3rd above F is A something

3. The key of F major has 1 b (Bb)

4. Major intervals match the major key

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F to A is a M3.

Let's Try It Again

If you want to build a m6 (minor 6th) off of the note C...

1. Temporarily assume you are in C major

2. The letter name a 6th above C is A something

3. The key of C major has 0 #'s or b's so C to A is a M6

4. Minor intervals that are 2, 3, 6, or 7 should be lowered a half step

If C to A is lowered a half step, it becomes C to Ab. C to Ab is a m6.

Again!

If you want to build an A2 (augmented 2nd) off of the note D...

1. Temporarily assume you are in D major

2. The letter name a 2nd above D is E something

3. The key of D major has 2 #'s (F# C#) so D to E is a M2

4. Augmented intervals that are 2, 3, 6, or 7 should be raised a half step

If D to E is raised a half step, it becomes D to E#. D to E# is an A2.

One More

If you want to build a d7 (diminished 7th) off of the note Ab...

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1. Temporarily assume you are in Ab major

2. The letter name a 7th above Ab is G something

3. The key of Ab major has 4 b's (Bb Eb Ab Db) so Ab to G is a M7

4. Diminished intervals that are 2, 3, 6, or 7 should be lowered a whole step

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If Ab to G is lowered a whole step (two half steps), it becomes A to Gbb. A to Gbb is a d7.

Open Ended

What questions do you have?