Music Theory: Intervals
An Interval in music refers to the distance between any two notes. The types of Intervals are, Unison, Perfect, Major, Minor, Augmented and Diminished. Intervals are used in both Chords and Melody. In Chords, Intervals are the distance between each Chord tone. In Melody, Intervals are the distance (scale steps) from one note in the Melody to the next.
When an Interval is Major or Perfect and is raised by one Half Step, it is called Augmented. Any Major Interval that is lowered one Half Step is Minor. A Perfect Interval lowered by one Half Step is Diminished.
This chart shows Intervals up to the 15th scale degree. The name of each Interval appears in the list that follows this chart, and corresponds with the number displayed under each Interval.
- Perfect Unison
- Minor 2nd
- Major 2nd
- Augmented 2nd
- Minor 3rd
- Major 3rd
- Augmented 3rd
- Diminished 4th
- Perfect 4th
- Augmented 4th
- Diminished 5th
- Perfect 5th
- Augmented 5th
- Minor 6th
- Major 6th
- Augmented 6th
- Minor 7th
- Major 7th
- Augmented 7th
- Diminished Octave
- Perfect Octave
- Augmented Octave
- Minor 9th
- Major 9th
- Augmented 9th
- Minor 10th
- Major 10th
- Augmented 10th
- Diminished 11th
- Perfect 11th
- Augmented 11th
- Diminished 12th
- Perfect 12th
- Augmented 12th
- Minor 13th
- Major 13th
- Augmented 13th
- Minor 14th
- Major 14th
- Augmented 14th
- Diminished 15th
- Perfect 15th
- Augmented 15th