Intervals

[SisterCM]

Will someone please explain the theory of melodic and harmonic intervals? 

[T-Block]

Here's everything u need to know about intervals, theory-wise:

Intervals

The term interval refers to the distance between 2 notes.  Here is a little breakdown of intervals used in music:


Intervals of 1, 4, and 5

These three intervals are the only intervals that get the name perfect intervals. Here are examples of these:

C-C = perfect unison
C-F = perfect 4th
C-G = perfect 5th

Now, let's say for instance you decide to raise the last note by 1/2 step:

C-F#

Do you still have a perfect 4th? No, now u have what is called an augmented 4th. Anytime you raise the last note of a perfect interval it becomes an augmented unison, 4th, or 5th:

C-C# = aumented unison
C-F# = augmented 4th (tritone)
C-G = augmented 5th

Now, let's say for instance you decided to lower the last note by 1/2 step:

C-Fb

Do you still have a perfect 4th? No, now u have what is called a diminished 4th. Anytime you lower the last note of a perfect interval it becomes a diminished unison, 4th, or 5th:

C-Cb = diminished unison
C-Fb = diminished 4th
C-Gb = diminished 5th (tritone)


Intervals of 2, 3, 6, 7

These intervals are different from the other 3 cuz they can be major, minor, augmented, or diminshed intervals. First, I'll show the major intervals:

C-D = major 2nd
C-E = major 3rd
C-A = major 6th
C-B = major 7th

Now, to make these intervals minor, just lower the last note of the major interval 1/2 step:

C-Db = minor 2nd
C-Eb = minor 3rd
C-Ab = minor 6th
C-Bb = minor 7th

Now, to make these intervals augmented, just raise the last note or the major interal 1/2 step:

C-D# = augmented 2nd
C-E# = augmented 3rd
C-A# = augmented 6th
C-B# = augmented 7th

Now, to make these intervals diminished, just lower the last note or the major interal 1 whole step:

C-Dbb = diminshed 2nd
C-Ebb = diminished 3rd
C-Abb = diminished 6th
C-Bbb = diminished 7th

After you have reached the diminshed and augmented intervals, if the notes are raised or lowered again, it then becomes doubly augmented or diminished, triple augmented or diminished intervals, etc.

Intervals are used in chord forming as well as sight-singing.  It can even help with finding the key of song (relative pitch).

[T-Block]

To add on to that, here is the difference between harmonic and melodic intervals:

Harmonic intervals are when the notes are sounded together.  So, a major third harmonic interval would be this:

C-E

Melodic intervals are when the notes are sounded separate.  So, a major third melodic interval would:

C, E

[SisterCM]

To add on to that, here is the difference between harmonic and melodic intervals:

Harmonic intervals are when the notes are sounded together.  So, a major third harmonic interval would be this:

C-E

Melodic intervals are when the notes are sounded separate.  So, a major third melodic interval would:

C, E

 Ok, now I understand that on the sheet music everything is written out for one to read and play.  However, when you are playing by ear how do you which interval to play, harmonic or melodic? 

[T-Block]

Ok, now I understand that on the sheet music everything is written out for one to read and play.  However, when you are playing by ear how do you which interval to play, harmonic or melodic? 

Well, I believe that's totally up to you.  Neither one is right or wrong, just different.  I've never really thought about what type of interval to play.  Think of the melodic intervals as playing runs, and think of the harmonic intervals as playing 2-note chords (even though a true chord has to have at least 3 different notes).  Example:

Melodic Intervals

[1, 2]   C / G-C-E
[3, 4]      / G, E  *melodic interval, major 6th from G up to E
[1, 2]   B / G-B-D
[an, 3]    / G, G (octave higher)  *melodic interval, perfect octave from G up to G
[an, 4]    / G, F  *melodic interval, major 7th from G up to F
[an]        / G
[1, 2]   A / E-A-C


Harmonic Intervals

[1, 2]   C / G-C-E
[3]         / C-G  *harmonic interval, perfect 5th from C to G   
[4]         / G-E  *harmonic interval, major 6th from G up to E
[1, 2]   B / G-B-D
[3]         / B-G  *harmonic interval, minor 6th from B up to G
[4]         / G-D  *harmonic interval, perfect 5th from G up to D
[1, 2]   A / E-A-C

You see the difference in the 2?  That's just a small example of how u can use those forms of intervals.  It's reallu up to you and what sound u want.

[SisterCM]

Well, I believe that's totally up to you.  Neither one is right or wrong, just different.  I've never really thought about what type of interval to play.  Think of the melodic intervals as playing runs, and think of the harmonic intervals as playing 2-note chords (even though a true chord has to have at least 3 different notes).  Example:

Melodic Intervals

[1, 2]   C / G-C-E
[3, 4]      / G, E  *melodic interval, major 6th from G up to E
[1, 2]   B / G-B-D
[an, 3]    / G, G (octave higher)  *melodic interval, perfect octave from G up to G
[an, 4]    / G, F  *melodic interval, major 7th from G up to F
[an]        / G
[1, 2]   A / E-A-C


Harmonic Intervals

[1, 2]   C / G-C-E
[3]         / C-G  *harmonic interval, perfect 5th from C to G   
[4]         / G-E  *harmonic interval, major 6th from G up to E
[1, 2]   B / G-B-D
[3]         / B-G  *harmonic interval, minor 6th from B up to G
[4]         / G-D  *harmonic interval, perfect 5th from G up to D
[1, 2]   A / E-A-C

You see the difference in the 2?  That's just a small example of how u can use those forms of intervals.  It's reallu up to you and what sound u want.

Thank you so very much!  You are really helping me to understand music theory.  I don't just want to make music but I want to know what I am doing and why.  You answered some questions here that I was going to ask next.

 I will try these intervals and chords when I get in front of my keys so I can hear the difference in them.