Interval

Interval

Concept Musical Concept Pitch Scale Semitone

An interval is the difference in pitch between two musical notes. Intervals are the building blocks of harmony and melody and are named according to their size and quality (e.g., major third, perfect fifth).

Types

• **Melodic interval** – notes played in sequence
• **Harmonic interval** – notes played simultaneously
• **Simple intervals** (within an octave)
• **Compound intervals** (larger than an octave)

Common Intervals

• Semitone (half step)
• Whole step
• Major and minor thirds
• Perfect fourths and fifths
• Octaves

See also

• Pitch
• Scale
• Semitone
• Tuning System