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Introduction To Intervals
An interval is the distance from one note to the next note either above or below it.
In this video series we are going to discuss what constitutes each interval, see how they pertain to the scale, and learn how to properly read and write intervals on the staff. Additionally, we will go over a number of tips and tricks which will make working with intervals much easier.
In this video series we are going to discuss what constitutes each interval, see how they pertain to the scale, and learn how to properly read and write intervals on the staff. Additionally, we will go over a number of tips and tricks which will make working with intervals much easier.
Intervals of A Second
When the two notes of an interval are only one letter apart from each other, as with the notes D and E, or B and C, we call that an interval of a second.
An interval of a second is any interval which spans two positions on the staff. Depending upon the amount of half steps separating each note, an interval of a second can be either Major or minor.
An interval of a second is any interval which spans two positions on the staff. Depending upon the amount of half steps separating each note, an interval of a second can be either Major or minor.
Intervals of A Third
Similar to what we learned in the previous video about intervals of a second, an interval of a third can also be either Major or minor depending upon the amount of steps separating each note.
For example, an interval of a minor third occurs when two notes are separated by the distance of three consecutive half steps.
For example, an interval of a minor third occurs when two notes are separated by the distance of three consecutive half steps.
Perfect Fourths
An interval of a Perfect fourth is labelled as "perfect" because the vibrational frequency of the two notes is in greater harmony with each other than other intervals such as seconds, thirds, sixths, and sevenths.
For example, the ratio of the vibrational frequency of an interval of a Perfect fourth is 4/3. This means that an interval of a Perfect fourth above any given note vibrates at a frequency of one and a third more than the original note.
For example, the ratio of the vibrational frequency of an interval of a Perfect fourth is 4/3. This means that an interval of a Perfect fourth above any given note vibrates at a frequency of one and a third more than the original note.
Perfect Fifths
Called Perfect for the same reason as an interval of a Perfect fourth, the ratio of the vibrational frequency of an interval of a Perfect fifth is 3/2. This means that an interval of a Perfect fifth above any given note vibrates at a frequency of one and a half more than the original note. In other words, if a note vibrates at a frequency of two hundred hertz, or two hundred cycles per second, then an interval of a Perfect fifth above that note would vibrate at a frequency of three hundred cycles per second.
Intervals of A Sixth
Similar to an interval of a second and an interval of a third, an interval of a sixth can also be either Major or minor.An interval of a minor sixth occurs when two notes are separated by the distance of eight consecutive half steps.
Remembering that two half steps equals one whole step, eight half steps can also be looked at as being comparatively the same as three whole steps and two half steps.
Remembering that two half steps equals one whole step, eight half steps can also be looked at as being comparatively the same as three whole steps and two half steps.
Intervals of A Seventh
An interval of a minor seventh occurs when two notes are separated by the distance of ten consecutive half steps. If we followed this pattern of steps above the note A we would discover that an interval of a minor seventh above the note A is the note G. However, similar to what we had discussed about an interval of a sixth in the previous video, counting ten consecutive half steps can be time consuming and impractical and is not really the best approach when reading or writing an interval of a seventh.
Perfect Eighth (Octaves)
An interval of a Perfect eighth, also known as an octave, is an interval in which two notes of equal letter name are sounded at double, or half, the vibrational frequency of each other. For example, if a note vibrates at a frequency of approximately 440 hertz, or 440 cycles per second, then an octave above that note will vibrate at a frequency of approximately 880 cycles per second while an octave below that note vibrates at a frequency of about 220 cycles per second.
Diminished And Augmented Intervals
A diminished interval occurs when a minor or Perfect interval is flattened by one half step.
For example, in video seven of this series we learned that, because the two notes are separated by ten consecutive half steps, an interval of a minor seventh above the note A is the note G. Knowing that a diminished interval is created when a minor interval is flattened by a half step, if an interval of a minor seventh above A is G, then an interval of a diminished seventh above the note A would be the note G-flat.
For example, in video seven of this series we learned that, because the two notes are separated by ten consecutive half steps, an interval of a minor seventh above the note A is the note G. Knowing that a diminished interval is created when a minor interval is flattened by a half step, if an interval of a minor seventh above A is G, then an interval of a diminished seventh above the note A would be the note G-flat.
Interval Tips And Tricks
Throughout this video series we learned the difference between Major and minor intervals, Perfect, diminished, and Augmented intervals, as well as what tritones and octaves are. We also discovered how many steps separate each interval, and most importantly how to read different intervals on the staff.
In this final video we are going to go over some tips and tricks that will make working with intervals much easier.
In this final video we are going to go over some tips and tricks that will make working with intervals much easier.
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