Different intervals have different qualities, as shown by the following summary:
Quality | Can be applied to |
Perfect | Unisons, 4ths, 5ths and Octaves |
Major | 2nds, 3rds, 6ths and 7ths |
Minor | 2nds, 3rds, 6ths and 7ths |
Augmented | All intervals |
Diminished | All intervals |
These intervals can be best explained with the aid of a chromatic scale. If you look at the following spelling of the chromatic scale, 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). For example, 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). For example, 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.