Intervals
Objectives
- Learn all the intervals.
- Learn the fretboard patterns for the intervals.
- Learn both ways to play intervals.
What Are Intervals?
An interval is the pitch difference between two notes. Pitch differences can be viewed in different ways.
- Note Difference: C to D
- Step Difference: C to D is a whole step. C to D-Flat is a half step.
- Fret Difference: C to D is 2 frets in distance. (Ex: Second String - 1st fret is C, 3rd fret is D)
- Interval: C to D is Major Second interval.
In music theory, interval names are the formal way to describe pitch differences. They are universal across instruments and the music community. Understanding intervals will help you understand chords, scales, improvisation, and other advanced theory topics.
Interval Chart
This chart sums up all of the intervals by giving their name and pitch difference. The audio example plays both types of intervals: melodic and harmonic. Melodic intervals are played sequentially, one note at a time. Harmonic intervals are played simultaneously, at the same time.
| Interval Name | Abbreviation | Step Distance | Fret Distance |
Audio (Played Melodically then Harmonically) |
| Unison |
U | None (Same note) |
0 |
Loading Player... |
| Minor Second |
m2 | Half Step |
1 |
Loading Player... |
| Major Second | M2 | Whole Step |
2 |
Loading Player... |
| Minor Third |
m3 | Whole Step + Half Step |
3 |
Loading Player... |
| Major Third |
M3 | 2 Whole Step | 4 | Loading Player... |
| Perfect Fourth |
P4 | 2 Whole Steps + Half Step |
5 | Loading Player... |
| Augmented Fourth Diminished Fifth Tritone |
A4 D4 TT |
3 Whole Steps |
6 |
Loading Player... |
| Perfect Fifth | P5 | 3 Whole Steps + Half Step |
7 |
Loading Player... |
| Minor Sixth |
m6 | 4 Whole Steps | 8 |
Loading Player... |
| Major Sixth |
M6 | 4 Whole Steps + Half Step |
9 |
Loading Player... |
| Minor Seventh | m7 |
5 Whole Steps |
10 |
Loading Player... |
| Major Seventh |
M7 |
5 Whole Steps + Half Step |
11 |
Loading Player... |
| Octave | Oct |
6 Whole Steps (Same Note Name) |
12 |
Loading Player... |
Interval Numbering
Intervals are numbered as unison, seconds, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, sevenths, or octaves. This number can be determined by the number of notes that the two notes span.
Example: C to F is a fourth because it spans C, D, E, and F.
In music theory, it is important to remember that the number is based on the difference in the note names, not the pitch difference. This is why Augmented Fourths and Diminished Fifths are the same pitch difference, but are different names. Example: C to F-Sharp (Augmented Fourth) and C to G-Flat (Diminished Fifth) is the same pitch distance (3 whole steps), but they have different interval names because of the note names.Intervals on the Staff
Here is an example of the intervals relative to middle C. Take note of the note name differences.
Intervals on the Fretboard
The diagram below shows the intervals from the first fret.
Examples
- First fret to the second fret is a minor second (1 frets up).
- First fret to the fifth fret is a major third (4 frets up).
- First fret to the tenth fret is a minor seventh (9 frets up).
Songs to Remember the Intervals
Main Menu
