Glossary
Augmented Intervals (A)
Intervals that are one half step larger than their corresponding major or perfect intervals.
Example:
Taking a Perfect 4th (C to F) and raising the F to F# creates an Augmented 4th, a highly dissonant interval.
Chromatic Scale
A musical scale that includes all twelve pitches within an octave, with each adjacent note separated by a half step.
Example:
Playing every single key on the piano from C to the next C, including all the black keys, creates a chromatic scale.
Consonant Intervals
Intervals that sound stable, resolved, and pleasing to the ear.
Example:
Major 3rds and Perfect 5ths are considered consonant intervals, providing a sense of rest and harmony.
Diminished Intervals (d)
Intervals that are one half step smaller than their corresponding minor or perfect intervals.
Example:
A Perfect 5th (C to G) becomes a diminished 5th when the G is lowered to Gb, creating a tritone.
Dissonant Intervals
Intervals that sound unstable, unresolved, and create tension, often requiring resolution to a consonant interval.
Example:
Major 2nds and minor 7ths are examples of dissonant intervals that drive musical motion forward.
Half Step
The smallest distance between two adjacent notes in Western music, also known as a semitone.
Example:
The distance from B to C on the piano is a half step, as is the distance from F to F#.
Interval
The distance in pitch between two musical notes.
Example:
The space between the first two notes of 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' is a perfect 5th interval.
Major Intervals (M)
Specific intervals (2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th) found when building from the tonic of a major scale.
Example:
From C, the note E forms a Major 3rd, a common consonant interval.
Minor Intervals (m)
Intervals (2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th) that are one half step smaller than their corresponding major intervals.
Example:
If C to E is a Major 3rd, then C to Eb is a minor 3rd, often associated with a more somber sound.
Perfect Intervals (P)
Specific intervals (unison, 4th, 5th, octave) considered stable and consonant, derived from the overtone series.
Example:
The interval from C to G is a Perfect 5th, often used to create strong harmonic foundations.
Quality (of an interval)
Describes the specific type of an interval (e.g., major, minor, perfect, augmented, diminished), indicating its exact number of half steps.
Example:
While C to E is a 3rd in size, its quality is Major, making it a Major 3rd.
Size (of an interval)
Refers to the numerical distance between two pitches, determined by counting the letter names (including the starting and ending notes).
Example:
From C to G, you count C, D, E, F, G, making it a 5th in size.
Tritone
An interval spanning three whole steps, equivalent to an augmented 4th or a diminished 5th, historically considered highly dissonant.
Example:
The opening two notes of 'The Simpsons' theme song famously outline a tritone, creating immediate tension.
Whole Step
A musical interval equal to two half steps.
Example:
Moving from C to D on the keyboard covers a whole step, skipping over C#.