Music Theory: Intervals2nds, 3rds, and P4ths

STAIR LessonDesigned by Erik Kubota

Note Reading Review Identify the following notes (click on the

letter name)

B C D E F G

A A B C D E G

F A B D E F G

C

A B C D F GE A B C E F GD

An interval is the space between two notes. There are two parts to naming an interval:

◦ The Quality (major, minor, perfect)◦ The Distance (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, etc.)

What is an interval?

For example… *click to listen*

Think of musical intervals like measurements on a ruler.

◦ Some intervals are smaller

◦ While others are larger

Musical interval… ruler of music

The first step is to determine which of the two notes is lower.

Step 1: Lower vs. Upper Note

The next step is to count the amount of half steps (white & black keys) between the notes…

For example, there are 5 half steps between the following two notes:

Step 2: Count the half steps

F

Bb

Most white keys are 2 half steps (or a whole step) a part.

The exception to this is between:◦E - F◦B – C

Remember…

Count the amount of half steps in the following intervals:

Half Step Counting Practice

Half steps:1 2 3 4 5

Half steps:1 2 3 4 5

Half steps:1 2 3 4 5

When we count half steps… we are essentially measuring the distance between two notes◦ Just like when we measure the distance with a

ruler, we use inches

◦ In music, we use half steps instead

Half steps are like inches

Memorize the following table to determine the quality of an interval. Remember to count up from the lower note. *short hand is case sensitive*

Step 3: Name the interval

No. of half steps

Quality/Interval

1 minor 2nd (m2)2 Major 2nd (M2)3 minor 3rd (m3)4 Major 3rd (M3)5 Perfect 4th (P4)

Identify the following interval…Putting it together…

Step 1: Identify the lower note.

*Click to listen*

Identify the following interval…Putting it together…

Step 2: Count the half steps between the two notes…

B C

= 1 half step

Identify the following interval…Putting it together…

Step 3: Name the interval. B to C = 1 half stepNo. of half steps

Quality/Interval

1 minor 2nd 2 Major 2nd3 minor 3rd4 Major 3rd5 Perfect 4th

= minor 2nd

(m2 for short)

Identify these intervals

*Click to listen*

minor 2nd

Major 2nd

minor 3rd

Major 3rdPerfect 4th

Question 1:

Identify these intervals

*Click to listen*

minor 2nd

Major 2nd

minor 3rd

Major 3rdPerfect 4th

Question 2:

Identify these intervals

*Click to listen*

minor 2nd

Major 2nd

minor 3rd

Major 3rdPerfect 4th

Question 3:

Identify these intervals

*Click to listen*

minor 2nd

Major 2nd

minor 3rd

Major 3rdPerfect 4th

Question 4:

Great Job!!!STAIR Completed

Correct!

Note reading review:

Almost, try again!

Remember to count the amount of white & black keys between each note…

Oops! Try again

Let’s review…

Almost… give it another try.

No. of half steps

Quality/Interval

1 minor 2nd2 Major 2nd3 minor 3rd4 Major 3rd5 Perfect 4th