Interval Qualities

Lesson 3/76 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Beginner Music Theory

Interval Qualities

Different intervals have different qualities, as shown below:

These intervals can be best explained with the aid of a chromatic scale. If you look at the one below, it is easy to see that since intervals are measured in semitones, they may begin or end on a sharp or flat rather than a natural note.

Perfect intervals are 4ths, 5ths and octaves. If you widen a perfect interval by a semitone it becomes augmented (added to). E.g. if you add a semitone to the perfect 4th interval C to F, it becomes the augmented 4th interval C to F#. Notice that the letter name remains the same–it is not referred to as C to Gb.

If you narrow a perfect interval by a semitone they become diminished (lessened). E.g. if you lessen the perfect 5th interval D to A by a semitone, it becomes the diminished 5th interval D to Ab. Again, the letter name remains the same–it is not referred to as D to G#.

Major intervals (2nds, 3rds, 6ths and 7ths) become minor if narrowed by a semitone and minor intervals become major if widened by a semitone. A diminished interval can be created by narrowing a perfect or minor interval by a semitone. An augmented interval can be created by widening a perfect or major interval by a semitone.

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Class Sessions

1- Dotted Notes 2- Tones and Semitones 3- The Major Scale 4- Dynamics 5- Keys and Key Signatures 6- Transposing 7- Sixteenth Notes 8- Leger Lines 9- Simple and Compound Time 10- Intervals 11- Chords 12- INTRODUCTION 13- Note Values 14- GLOSSARY OF MUSICAL TERMS 15- Chord Inversions 16- How to Read Music 17- LESSON TWO 18- Minor Keys and Scales 19- Accidentals 20- Sharps 21- The Octave 22- Learning Minor Scales in all Keys 23- The Key Cycle 24- Chord Construction–Triads 25- G Major Chord Inversions 26- Exercises 27- Six Eight Time 28- Using the Compact Disc 29- Interval Qualities 30- Notes on the Treble Staff 31- Exercises 32- Grouping Eighth Notes 33- Volume Changes 34- Exercises 35- Bar Lines 36- Double Sharps and Double Flats 37- The Lead-in 38- Enharmonic Notes 39- Grouping Notes in Compound Time 40- Interval Distances 41- Time Signatures 42- Grouping Notes and Rests 43- The Grand Staff 44- Exercises 45- Exercises 46- Relative Keys 47- Approach to Practice 48- Major Scales in all Keys 49- Tempo Markings 50- The Chromatic Scale 51- Scale Degrees 52- Tempo Changes 53- Slurs 54- Final Exercises 55- Flats 56- Arpeggios 57- Chord Symbols 58- C Major Scale Over Four Octaves 59- Exercises 60- Rests 61- Exercises 62- Exercises 63- Staccato 64- Exercises 65- Exercises 66- Twelve Eight Time 67- Major Scale Pattern 68- Identifying Intervals by Ear 69- Exercises 70- Exercises 71- The G Major Scale 72- Ties 73- Exercises 74- The F Major Scale 75- Other Major Scales 76- Exercises

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Interval Qualities