Intervals
An interval is the relationship between two notes. More specifically defined as the difference in pitch, intervals are identified by the distance between tones (half step for example) and may be expressed as being flat (♭), sharp (♯) or natural (♮). In the 12-tone equal temperament tuning system, there are 12 intervals all of which are determined by their correspondence with the tonic.
Ascending
Note Interval (Abbreviation)
A - Tonic, Root, or Key (1 or R)
A♯ - Minor 2nd (♯ or ♭2)
B - Major 2nd or Supertonic (2)
C - Minor 3rd (♯2 or ♭3)
C♯ - Major 3rd or Mediant (3)
D - Perfect or Subdominant (4)
D♯ - Tritone (♯4 or ♭5)
E - Perfect 5th or Dominant (5)
F - Minor 6th (♯5 or ♭6)
F♯ - Major 6th or Submediant (6)
G - Minor 7th (♯6 or ♭7)
G♯ - Major 7th, Subtonic, or Leading Tone (7)
A - Octave (8 or 1)
Descending
Note Interval (Abbreviation)
A - Tonic, Root, or Key (1 or R)
A♭ - Major 7th (7)
G - Minor 7th (♭7)
G♭ - Major 6th (6 or ♭♭7)
F - Minor 6th (♭6 or ♭♭♭7)
E - Perfect 5th (5 or ♭♭6)
E♭ - Tritone (♭5 or ♭♭♭6)
D - Perfect 4th (4 or ♭♭5)
D♭ - Major 3rd (3 or ♭♭♭5)
C - Minor 3rd (♭3 or ♭♭4)
B - Major 2nd (2 or ♭♭3)
B♭ - Minor 2nd (♭2 or ♭♭♭3)
A - Octave (8 or 1)
Intervals can also be identified by pitch class which labels each note with a numerical value from 0 - 11 per octave which is particularly useful for guitar with the open strings. In the maps below, the blue notes represent the tonic, or octave, and the green are the intervals.
Understanding intervals is among the most important achievements a new student must accomplish because the ability to determine where you are and where to go next gives you a better sense of direction which ultimately allows you to navigate the fretboard more fluently.
Whether paired as a melody (notes played in succession) or harmony (notes played simultaneously), each combination produces its own unique sound quality that evokes a distinct emotional response. Intervals can be blended or grouped with various other combinations to paint a bigger picture or tell a compelling story rich with ambience and atmosphere without ever having to speak at all.
