Intervals Overview

Intervals are a way of measuring the distance between and the correlation of two notes. There are many different types of intervals. Here is a course on how to derive intervals.

Types of Intervals

Interval

Quality

Number of Semitones

Example

Unison

Perfect

0

Second

Minor

1

Major

2

Third

Minor

3

Major

4

Fourth

Perfect

5

Tritone

Augmented Fourth

6

Diminished Fifth

6

Fifth

Perfect

7

Sixth

Minor

8

Major

9

Seventh

Minor

10

Major

11

Octave

Perfect

12

Melodic and harmonic Intervals

Notes that form an interval can be played simultaneously (at the same time) or successively (one after another). Respectively, these intervalls are called melodic (horizontal) or harmonic (vertical). Whether an interval is harmonic or melodic is not relevant for the type of an interval. A major sixth, for example, can be played harmonically or melodically.

Example of melodic Intervals

Example of harmonic Intervals