If you’ll look at the image below, notice how the intervals visually look different. It’s important to realize that augmented 4ths and diminished 5ths actually both consist of three whole-steps. A tritone is a name given to an augmented 4th or a diminished 5th. If you’ll recall, at the beginning of this article we briefly discussed augmented and diminished intervals. In the sheet music below, the interval is found in the upper voice, from the first C to the first F.įor a descending perfect fourth, look no further than the beginning of the classic Christmas tune “ O Come All Ye Faithful.” Tritone: The Simpsons Theme The first two notes of the traditional hymn “Amazing Grace” depict a perfect fourth.

content/media/now/wp-content/uploads/perfect-4.mp3 In a perfect fourth, that distance is two whole-steps and one half-step. There is no “major fourth,” or “minor fourth,” because, in both types of keys, the interval distance stays the same. These intervals are called “perfect” for a number of reasons, some of which require a more in-depth historical analysis, but the best way to remember them is to keep in mind that their quality stays the same whether they are in major or minor keys. In music there are four different “perfect” intervals: We like to use the first two notes of the classic tune, “ When the Saints Go Marching In” to identify a major third.įor a descending major third, you can use the first two notes of the well-known spiritual, “ Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” Perfect 4th: Amazing Grace content/media/now/wp-content/uploads/major-3.mp3 Moving into happier territory, a major third consists of two whole steps. Major Third: When the Saints Go Marching In However, this minor third is descending, rather than ascending. Just like “Greensleeves,” it occurs in the first two notes of the song. In the sheet music below the interval is from the first E to the first G (“A-las”).Īnother fun tune that you can use to identify a minor third is “ Hey Jude” by The Beatles. The first two notes of the piece are a minor third. You may not think you know the tune of “ Greensleeves,” but you probably do! The popular Christmas tune “ What Child is This” also shares the melody. content/media/now/wp-content/uploads/minor-3.mp3 Minor Third: GreensleevesĪ minor third consists of one whole-step and one half-step (or three half-steps). Simply sing the words “Happy Birthday” when you’re trying to identify a major second, and you’ll know right away. content/media/now/wp-content/uploads/major-2.mp3Įveryone knows “Happy Birthday,” and in fact, a major second is at the very beginning of the song.įrom the highlighted “D” at the beginning to the “E,” is a major second up, and from the “E” back down to “D” again is a major second down. Major Second – Happy BirthdayĪ major second consists of one whole step (or two half-steps). The opening notes alternate between an E and F, going up and down a minor second. The best piece to represent this interval is the Jaws Theme Song. content/media/now/wp-content/uploads/minor-2.mp3 The minor second is the smallest possible interval, with only one half-step separating each note. Luckily, we’ve put together some songs that everyone knows to help you identify your intervals in seconds. So, interval training is important and carries many benefits. Though intervals are easily distinguishable on the staff, when it comes to memorizing and identifying them, it can take some serious ear training!

Diminished Intervals are smaller by one semitone (half-step) than perfect or minor intervals.Īugmented 4ths and Diminished 5ths are the most common uses of Augmented and Diminished Intervals.Augmented Intervals are wider by one semitone (half-step) than perfect or major intervals.These intervals are given the name “Perfect” because they stay the same, whether the key signature is Major or Minor. Perfect Intervals refer to Unison, 4ths, 5ths, and Octaves.Major and Minor intervals are the intervals created by the key signatures in Major or Minor Keys without any added augmentation or diminished tones.Intervals are classified by their quality, as Major, Minor, Augmented, Diminished, and Perfect, and their number, such as unison, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, or octave. An interval in music defines the difference between two pitches.

Interval ear practice