Intro to Intervals

Introduction to Musical Intervals

• Definition: an interval is the distance between two notes in music.

• Importance of Intervals in Music Theory: Intervals play a crucial role in building scales, chords, and melodies.

Interval Quantity

The Count!

• Interval quantity refers to the numerical distance between two notes (e.g., unison, second, third).

• Counting intervals involves identifying the number of steps between notes, which can be done using piano keys or the musical staff.

Interval Quality

• Interval quality categorizes intervals as perfect, major, minor, augmented, or diminished based on their sound characteristics.

• The quality of an interval significantly influences the mood and tonality of a musical piece.

"Interval quality plays a vital role in determining the emotional color and tension within music."

• Perfect intervals convey stability and consonance.

Perfect

​Major intervals sound bright and uplifting.

Major

minor intervals evoke a sense of melancholy or introspection.

minor

Augmented intervals create tension and dissonance

Augmented

diminished intervals sound dark and unresolved.

diminished