Handout 7: Intervals

What You’ll Learn:

• What an interval is (the distance between two notes)
• How to measure intervals by counting letter names
• The most important intervals and how each one sounds
• Song references to help you recognize intervals by ear
• How intervals are the foundation of melodies and chords

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What Is an Interval?

An interval is the distance between two notes. That is it — just a measurement of how far apart two notes are.

Think of it like measuring distance between two buildings. You do not need to know what is inside the buildings — you just need to know how many blocks apart they are. In music, the “blocks” are note names.

Intervals are the DNA of music. Every melody is a series of intervals. Every chord is intervals stacked together. Learn to hear and name intervals, and you unlock a deeper understanding of how music works.

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How to Measure Intervals

To find an interval, count the letter names from the bottom note to the top note, including both notes.

Example: What is the interval from C to E?

   C (1) → D (2) → E (3)  =  a 3rd

Example: What is the interval from C to G?

   C (1) → D (2) → E (3) → F (4) → G (5)  =  a 5th

Example: What is the interval from D to F?

   D (1) → E (2) → F (3)  =  a 3rd

Always count from 1, starting with the bottom note itself. A note to itself is a “1st” (also called a “unison”).

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The Key Intervals

Here are the intervals you will encounter most often, measured from C as the starting note. Each one has a distinctive sound, and we will associate each with a famous song to help you remember.

Unison (same note)

   C → C  (distance: 0 half steps)

Two notes at the same pitch. It is just the same note played twice or by two different instruments.

Minor 2nd (1 half step)

   C → Db  (distance: 1 half step)

C

D

E

**Sound:** Tense, crunching, ominous. **Song reference:** The "Jaws" theme — those two alternating notes (dun-DUN, dun-DUN) are a minor 2nd apart. It sounds menacing because the interval is so small and dissonant.

Major 2nd (2 half steps / 1 whole step)

   C → D  (distance: 2 half steps)

C

D

E

**Sound:** A simple step, like walking up a staircase. **Song reference:** "Happy Birthday" — the first two notes ("Hap-py") are a major 2nd apart. Also the first two notes of a major scale.

Minor 3rd (3 half steps)

   C → Eb  (distance: 3 half steps)

C

D

E

**Sound:** Sad, gentle, bittersweet. **Song reference:** "Greensleeves" (or "What Child Is This?") — the opening interval is a minor 3rd. Also think of a minor chord's first interval.

Major 3rd (4 half steps)

   C → E  (distance: 4 half steps)

C

D

E

**Sound:** Bright, happy, warm. **Song reference:** "Oh! When the Saints Go Marching In" — the first leap ("Oh when the") is a major 3rd. This interval defines the "happy" quality of major chords.

Perfect 4th (5 half steps)

   C → F  (distance: 5 half steps)

C

D

E

F

**Sound:** Open, strong, like a question. **Song reference:** "Here Comes the Bride" (the wedding march) — the first two notes are a perfect 4th. Also the beginning of "Tum Hi Ho" starts with this interval feel.

Perfect 5th (7 half steps)

   C → G  (distance: 7 half steps)

C

D

E

F

G

**Sound:** Strong, stable, powerful, open. **Song reference:** "Star Wars" main theme — the opening fanfare leaps up a perfect 5th.

Minor 6th (8 half steps)

   C → Ab  (distance: 8 half steps)

Sound: Bittersweet, yearning. Song reference: “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin — the main melody features this interval.

Major 6th (9 half steps)

   C → A  (distance: 9 half steps)

Sound: Warm, sweet, wide. Song reference: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” — “My BON-nie” is a major 6th leap.

Minor 7th (10 half steps)

   C → Bb  (distance: 10 half steps)

Sound: Jazzy, bluesy, wants to resolve. Song reference: “Somewhere” from West Side Story — “There’s a PLACE for us” starts with a minor 7th.

Major 7th (11 half steps)

   C → B  (distance: 11 half steps)

Sound: Dreamy, almost dissonant, floating. Song reference: “Take On Me” by a-ha — the first leap in the chorus.

Octave (12 half steps)

   C → C (next one up)  (distance: 12 half steps)

Sound: The same note, higher. Complete, full, resonant. Song reference: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” — “Some-WHERE” is an octave leap. One of the most recognizable intervals.

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Interval Quality: Major, Minor, and Perfect

You may have noticed the words “major,” “minor,” and “perfect” attached to intervals. Here is the simple explanation:

• Perfect intervals (unison, 4th, 5th, octave) sound very stable and “clean.” They are the anchors.
• Major intervals (2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th) sound bright and wide.
• Minor intervals (2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th) sound darker and narrower — they are one half step smaller than their major counterpart.

For beginners, the most important intervals to master are:

1. Major and minor 3rds (they build chords — see Handout 8)
2. Perfect 4th and 5th (they define chord progressions — see Handout 9)
3. Octave (helps you navigate the keyboard)

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Quick Reference Table

Interval	Half Steps	From C	Song Reference
Minor 2nd	1	C → Db	Jaws theme
Major 2nd	2	C → D	Happy Birthday
Minor 3rd	3	C → Eb	Greensleeves
Major 3rd	4	C → E	When the Saints
Perfect 4th	5	C → F	Here Comes the Bride
Perfect 5th	7	C → G	Star Wars theme
Minor 6th	8	C → Ab	The Entertainer
Major 6th	9	C → A	My Bonnie
Minor 7th	10	C → Bb	Somewhere (West Side Story)
Major 7th	11	C → B	Take On Me
Octave	12	C → C	Somewhere Over the Rainbow

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Exercises

Exercise 1: Play Every Interval from C

Starting from Middle C on your CT-X9000IN, play each interval listed in the reference table above. Play the two notes one after the other (C then the other note), then play them together. Listen to the unique “color” of each interval.

Exercise 2: Sing and Play

Play the first two notes of “Happy Birthday” (a major 2nd). Then play “Here Comes the Bride” (a perfect 4th). Then “Star Wars” (a perfect 5th). Then “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (an octave). Sing along if you can — connecting your voice to intervals builds ear recognition fastest.

Exercise 3: 3rds — Major vs. Minor

Play C and E together (major 3rd). Listen to the bright sound. Now play C and Eb together (minor 3rd). Listen to the darker sound. Go back and forth several times. This is the difference at the heart of major vs. minor chords.

Exercise 4: Random Interval Naming

Pick two random white keys. Count the letter names between them (including both) to determine the interval number (3rd, 5th, etc.). Play them and listen.

Exercise 5: Interval Ear Training

Have someone play two notes (or record yourself playing two notes on your CT-X9000IN). Without looking, try to name the interval. Start with the easy ones: unison, octave, perfect 5th, and major/minor 3rds. These are the most distinctive sounding.

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Quick Quiz

1. What is an interval? → Answer: The distance between two notes, measured by counting letter names from the bottom note to the top note (including both).
2. What interval is C to G? → Answer: A perfect 5th (C-D-E-F-G = 5 letter names)
3. What famous song starts with a perfect 4th? → Answer: “Here Comes the Bride” (the wedding march)
4. How many half steps are in a major 3rd? → Answer: 4 half steps
5. What is the difference between a major 3rd and a minor 3rd? → Answer: A major 3rd is 4 half steps (bright, happy sound); a minor 3rd is 3 half steps (darker, sadder sound). The minor 3rd is one half step smaller.

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Key Takeaway

An interval is simply the distance between two notes. Learning to recognize intervals by ear — using song references like “Star Wars” for a perfect 5th and “Jaws” for a minor 2nd — is one of the most powerful musical skills you can develop. Intervals are the building blocks of both melodies and chords.