{"id":15080,"date":"2023-09-10T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-10T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=15080"},"modified":"2023-09-08T13:57:42","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T20:57:42","slug":"piano-intervals-music-theory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-intervals-music-theory\/","title":{"rendered":"Piano Intervals Explained (Music Theory 101)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Intervals are the building blocks of music. Understanding piano intervals will help you read music faster, play by ear, improvise, and better understand the relationships between notes, scales, keys, and chords. Intervals are a music theory concept you don\u2019t want to miss!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this lesson, we\u2019ll explain what intervals are, three ways to understand them, and how to use intervals to become a better piano player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p><strong>Table of Contents:<\/strong><\/p><nav><ol><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-are-intervals\">What Are Intervals?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#three-ways-to-understand-piano-intervals\">Three Ways to Understand Intervals<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-to-figure-out-piano-intervals-the-scale-method\">How to Figure Out Piano Intervals<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#why-intervals\">Why Use Intervals<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Your Go-To Place for All Things Piano<\/b><\/h2><p>Subscribe to <i>The Note<\/i> for exclusive interviews, fascinating articles, and inspiring lessons delivered straight to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-x-large-font-size\" id=\"what-are-intervals\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>WHAT ARE INTERVALS?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a nutshell, piano intervals are the distance between two notes on the keyboard. The two notes can be a white key and a white key, a black key and a black key, or a white key and a black key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples of intervals include major 3rd, perfect 4th, and diminished 5th. Here\u2019s a breakdown of what that means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>number<\/strong> in an interval indicates the number of notes the interval contains. For example, the interval between a C and an F is a 4th.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>quality<\/strong> or sound of the interval is indicated by words like &#8220;major,&#8221; &#8220;perfect,&#8221; and &#8220;diminished.&#8221; 2nds, 3rds, 6ths, and 7ths can be major, minor, augmented, or diminished. Unisons, fourths, fifths, and octaves can be perfect, augmented, or diminished.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-x-large-font-size\" id=\"three-ways-to-understand-piano-intervals\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>THREE WAYS TO UNDERSTAND PIANO INTERVALS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We can think about intervals from a number of angles, including sound, steps, and scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"intervals-by-sound\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Intervals By Sound<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/interval-ear-training\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/interval-ear-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ultimate Guide to Interval Ear Training<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using this method, we associate each interval with a song and use the song to remember the sound of the interval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Interval<\/th><th>Ascending Song<\/th><th>Descending Song<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Minor 2nd<\/td><td>Theme from <em>Jaws<\/em><\/td><td>&#8220;F\u00fcr Elise&#8221; (Beethoven)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Major 2nd<\/td><td>&#8220;Happy Birthday&#8221;<\/td><td>&#8220;Mamma Mia&#8221; (ABBA)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minor 3rd<\/td><td>Theme from <em>Spider-Man<\/em><\/td><td>&#8220;Hey Jude&#8221; (The Beatles)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Major 3rd<\/td><td>&#8220;When the Saints Go Marching In&#8221;<\/td><td>&#8220;Summertime&#8221; (George Gershwin)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perfect 4th<\/td><td>&#8220;Summer Nights&#8221; from <em>Grease<\/em><\/td><td>&#8220;Under Pressure&#8221; (Queen)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Augmented 4th or Diminished 5th<\/td><td>&#8220;YYZ&#8221; (Rush)<\/td><td>&#8220;YYZ&#8221; (Rush)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perfect 5th<\/td><td>Theme from <em>Star Wars<\/em><\/td><td>Minuet in G Major (Petzold)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minor 6th<\/td><td>&#8220;The Entertainer&#8221; (Scott Joplin)<\/td><td>&#8220;The Entertainer&#8221; (Scott Joplin)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Major 6th<\/td><td>&#8220;My Way&#8221; (Frank Sinatra)<\/td><td>&#8220;Man In the Mirror&#8221; (Michael Jackson)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minor 7th<\/td><td>&#8220;Can&#8217;t Stop&#8221; (Red Hot Chili Peppers)<\/td><td>\u201cThe Shadow of Your Smile\u201d (Theme from&nbsp;<em>The Sandpiper<\/em>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Major 7th<\/td><td>\u201cTake on Me\u201d (A-ha)<\/td><td>\u201cI Love You\u201d (Cole Porter)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perfect Octave<\/td><td>\u201cOver the Rainbow\u201d (Theme from&nbsp;<em>The Wizard of Oz<\/em>)<\/td><td>\u201cSomeone to Watch Over Me\u201d (George Gershwin)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Interval ear training is useful for playing back melodies and remembering songs, and is a great start for beginners.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>TAKE NOTE!<\/b> Notice that unisons, fourths, fifths, and octaves are &#8220;perfect&#8221; rather than major or minor. There are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.musicreadingsavant.com\/perfect-intervals-what-makes-them-so-perfect\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">several reasons<\/a> for this. But for now, you can think of perfect intervals as equivalent to major\u2014except if you make them smaller, they become diminished instead of minor.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"intervals-by-scale\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Intervals By Steps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another way to understand intervals is to know the number of whole and half steps between the two notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Interval<\/th><th>Number of Whole Steps<\/th><th>Number of Half Steps<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Perfect Unison<\/td><td>n\/a<\/td><td>n\/a<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minor 2nd<\/td><td>n\/a<\/td><td>1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Major 2nd<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minor 3rd<\/td><td>1.5<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Major 3rd<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perfect 4th<\/td><td>2.5<\/td><td>5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Augmented 4th or Diminished 5th<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perfect 5th<\/td><td>3.5<\/td><td>7<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minor 6th<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>8<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Major 6th<\/td><td>4.5<\/td><td>9<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minor 7th<\/td><td>5<\/td><td>10<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Major 7th<\/td><td>5.5<\/td><td>11<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perfect Octave<\/td><td>6<\/td><td>12<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a simple way to remember intervals. But if you prefer not to memorize a bunch of numbers and want to actually understand the theory behind intervals, consider learning the scale method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"intervals-by-scale\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Intervals By Scale<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This method requires a little knowledge about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-scales\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-scales\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scales<\/a>. You&#8217;ll ask whether the higher note in an interval belongs to the major scale of the bottom note. If it does, the interval is major or perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a nutshell, here&#8217;s how to calculate intervals using the scale method:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Determine the number. <\/strong>Count the number of note letters from the bottom note to the top note.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Determine the quality. <\/strong>Ask whether the top note belongs to the bottom note&#8217;s major scale. If yes, the interval is major or perfect. If not, the interval may be minor, augmented, or diminished.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ll run this method through a few examples in the next section!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-x-large-font-size\" id=\"how-to-figure-out-piano-intervals-the-scale-method\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>HOW TO FIGURE OUT PIANO INTERVALS (THE SCALE METHOD)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take the following intervals as examples and practice figuring out what they are. This can be done in two steps: figuring out the number and figuring out the quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-1-the-number\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Step 1: The Number<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Count the number of note letters from the bottom note to the top note. This will be the number part of your interval. Ignore any accidentals for now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" id=\"example-1\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>Example 1: F-A<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Count from F to A: F, G, A. That&#8217;s three letters, so this interval is a <strong>third<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084325\/Interval-F-A-1024x575.png\" alt=\"F and A on staff.\" class=\"wp-image-15178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084325\/Interval-F-A-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084325\/Interval-F-A-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084325\/Interval-F-A-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084325\/Interval-F-A.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" id=\"example-2\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>Example 2: F-A\u266d<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Ignore the flat for now. Count from F to A: F, G, A. That&#8217;s three letters, so this interval is a <strong>third<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29085701\/Interval-F-Ab-1024x575.png\" alt=\"F and A flat on staff.\" class=\"wp-image-15182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29085701\/Interval-F-Ab-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29085701\/Interval-F-Ab-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29085701\/Interval-F-Ab-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29085701\/Interval-F-Ab.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" id=\"example-3\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>Example 3: C-F#<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Ignore the sharp for now. Count from C to F: C-D-E-F. That&#8217;s four letters, so this interval is a <strong>fourth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084449\/Interval-C-F-1024x575.png\" alt=\"C and F sharp on staff.\" class=\"wp-image-15179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084449\/Interval-C-F-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084449\/Interval-C-F-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084449\/Interval-C-F-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084449\/Interval-C-F.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" id=\"example-4\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>Example 4: G#-E<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Ignore the sharp for now. Count from G to E: G-A-B-C-D-E. That&#8217;s six letters, so this interval is a <strong>sixth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29091332\/Interval-G-E-1024x575.png\" alt=\"G sharp and E on staff.\" class=\"wp-image-15183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29091332\/Interval-G-E-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29091332\/Interval-G-E-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29091332\/Interval-G-E-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29091332\/Interval-G-E.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-2-the-quality\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Step 2: The Quality<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now let&#8217;s see whether these intervals are major, minor, perfect, augmented, or diminished! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider the bottom note as the tonic (first note) of a major scale. Then, ask if the top note belongs to that major scale. If it does, you have a <strong>major<\/strong> or <strong>perfect<\/strong> interval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the top note is a half-step <em>lower<\/em> than what would appear in the bottom note&#8217;s major scale, it&#8217;s either a <strong>minor<\/strong> or <strong>diminished<\/strong> interval. Another way to think of this: major intervals that are made smaller by one half-step are minor intervals; perfect intervals that are smaller by one half-step are diminished intervals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the top note is a half-step <em>higher<\/em> than what would appear in the bottom note&#8217;s scale, it&#8217;s an <strong>augmented<\/strong> interval. Major and perfect intervals that are made larger by one half-step are augmented intervals. (Minor intervals that are made larger by one half-step are simply major intervals).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" id=\"example-1-third\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>Example 1: Third<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The bottom note is F, so we&#8217;ll consider this interval in the context of F major. The top note is A, which is the third note of the F major scale. Therefore, this interval is a <strong>major 3rd<\/strong>!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084325\/Interval-F-A-1024x575.png\" alt=\"F and A on staff.\" class=\"wp-image-15178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084325\/Interval-F-A-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084325\/Interval-F-A-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084325\/Interval-F-A-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084325\/Interval-F-A.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" id=\"example-2-third\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>Example 2: Third<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The bottom note is F, so we&#8217;ll consider this interval in the context of F major. The top note (A\u266d) is one half-step <em>lower<\/em> than A, the third note of the F major scale. Therefore, this interval is a <strong>minor 3rd<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29085701\/Interval-F-Ab-1024x575.png\" alt=\"F and A flat on staff.\" class=\"wp-image-15182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29085701\/Interval-F-Ab-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29085701\/Interval-F-Ab-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29085701\/Interval-F-Ab-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29085701\/Interval-F-Ab.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" id=\"example-3-fourth\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>Example 3: Fourth<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The bottom note is C, so we&#8217;ll consider this interval in the context of C major. The top note (F#) is one half-step <em>higher<\/em> than F, the fourth note of the C major scale. If this was C-F, we&#8217;d have a perfect 4th. But since this interval is one half-step <em>larger<\/em>, this is an <strong>augmented 4th<\/strong> interval.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084449\/Interval-C-F-1024x575.png\" alt=\"C and F sharp on staff.\" class=\"wp-image-15179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084449\/Interval-C-F-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084449\/Interval-C-F-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084449\/Interval-C-F-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29084449\/Interval-C-F.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" id=\"example-4-sixth\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>Example 4: Sixth<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This example is a little different because the bottom note, G#, is not a conventional key. To make things easier, we can ignore the G-sharp for now and think in the context of G major. E is the sixth note of the G major scale. Therefore, if this interval was G-E, it&#8217;d be a major sixth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29091332\/Interval-G-E-1024x575.png\" alt=\"G sharp and E on staff.\" class=\"wp-image-15183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29091332\/Interval-G-E-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29091332\/Interval-G-E-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29091332\/Interval-G-E-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/29091332\/Interval-G-E.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, let&#8217;s factor that G# back in. Notice that G# &#8220;narrows&#8221; the major sixth interval by one half-step. A major interval that&#8217;s been made smaller by one half-step is a minor interval. Therefore, this is a <strong>minor 6th<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-x-large-font-size\" id=\"why-intervals\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>WHY INTERVALS?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that we know the math behind intervals, what is all this theory good for? Well, intervals are the building blocks of music. It might not seem obvious right away, but you&#8217;ll encounter and use intervals when you play by ear, read sheet music, build chords, and harmonize your own music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ear-training\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Ear Training<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned before, knowing your intervals can help with playing songs by ear. For example, if the first interval of a song you&#8217;re trying to figure out sounds similar to the first two notes of &#8220;When the Saints Go Marching In,&#8221; it might start with a major 3rd interval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/interval-ear-training\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/interval-ear-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ultimate Guide to Interval Ear Training<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How To Train Your Ears In 10 Minutes \ud83d\udc42\ud83c\udfb5\ud83c\udfb6 (Beginner Piano Lesson)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nl01K-yCSY8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"reading-sheet-music\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Reading Sheet Music<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing your intervals can help you read sheet music faster. If you already know what a fourth, third, or sixth looks like, you can quickly spot these distances in sheet music. Learning how to identify and calculate intervals will also give you a solid, foundational understanding of scales and keys. All this comes together when you read sheet music, which is all about recognizing music theory patterns on a page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-read-piano-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Ultimate Beginner&#8217;s Guide to Reading Music<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How To Read Notes (Beginner Piano Lesson)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gEI7uYOCQXo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Building Chords<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding intervals is essential to playing, recognizing, and building chords. How a chord sounds, after all, depends on the intervals within that chord. Change a major 3rd to a minor 3rd and your major triad becomes a very different sounding minor triad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/all-piano-chords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Play ALL Piano Chords<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Learn To Play Any Chord \ud83c\udfb9\ud83d\udcaa (Beginner Piano Lesson)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sG7QDw5CoU8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Harmonizing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, if you want to write your own music, understanding intervals can help you harmonize your melodies. For example, thirds and sixths tend to harmonize very well. Tritones (another name for the augmented 4th or diminished 5th interval) are very crunchy, but they can be perfect for a particular emotional effect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-harmonize-a-melody\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-harmonize-a-melody\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Harmonize a Melody In 4 Easy Steps<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-harmonize-a-melody\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/05134117\/2023-07-Harmonizing-Your-Melodies-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Overhead photo of hands playing piano with text &quot;Harmonizing Your Melodies&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-14511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/05134117\/2023-07-Harmonizing-Your-Melodies-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/05134117\/2023-07-Harmonizing-Your-Melodies-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/05134117\/2023-07-Harmonizing-Your-Melodies-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/05134117\/2023-07-Harmonizing-Your-Melodies-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/05134117\/2023-07-Harmonizing-Your-Melodies.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h3 style=\"font-size:22px;\">\ud83c\udfbc <b>Learn Your Favorites, Step By Step With Full Sheet Music Downloads<\/b><\/h3><p> As a Pianote+ Member, you\u2019ll get access to our 10-step Method, song library, and growing community of piano players just like you. Plus: get coached by world-class pianists who have played with rock stars.<\/p><center><a class=\"join\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TRY PIANOTE FOR 7 DAYS<\/a><\/center><br><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everything you need to know about piano intervals, a basic building block of music that will help you read music faster and develop a stronger ear.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":15295,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[510],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-theory"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15080","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15080"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15080\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15298,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15080\/revisions\/15298"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}