The Complete Guide to Piano Intervals
Learn to play and practice intervals with our simplified, practical approach
Intervals are one of the cornerstones of a solid foundation in piano, and a knowledge of and ability to find intervals on the piano is essential for every pianist. Here’s why:
Intervals are the building blocks of music: Just as words are made of individual letters, all melodies, harmonies, and chords are constructed from intervals. Having a strong grasp of intervals enables students to understand and dissect pieces of music more effectively.
We read by intervals: Recognizing intervals on sheet music can drastically improve sight-reading abilities. Rather than reading note by note, students can learn to read music in “chunks,” much like reading a sentence instead of individual letters. This leads to more fluent, expressive playing.
Knowledge of intervals improves musicality: Understanding intervals can aid in conveying the emotional content of music. Each interval has its unique ‘flavor’ or ‘color’—major intervals often sound happy or bright, while minor intervals can sound sad or dark. Recognizing these can help a student express the music’s emotional intent more effectively.
Intervals facilitate transposition: Intervals are constant across different keys. If you know the intervals in a melody or chord progression, you can easily transpose, or move, the piece to a different key. This skill is invaluable for accompanying singers or playing in a band or ensemble.
Intervals boost aural skills: Knowledge of intervals is key to developing a good musical ear. It helps in recognizing the distance between pitches just by hearing them, a skill known as ‘aural interval recognition.’ This is crucial for playing by ear, improvising, and composing.
In essence, learning intervals equips a piano student with a fundamental understanding of how music works. It’s an essential tool in the kit of every accomplished pianist, paving the way for advanced musical comprehension and exploration. So, embark on your journey of understanding intervals today to unlock your full potential as a pianist.
What are intervals on the piano?
An interval is the distance between two pitches. In music theory, intervals are often described using names that combine a number (representing the number of note names or letter names involved, including the notes at both ends) and a descriptor that indicates the size or quality of the interval.
The piano provides a perfect instrument for visualizing and understanding these musical intervals due to its straightforward, linear layout.
VIDEO: Introduction to piano intervals
Major and Minor piano intervals
Major and minor intervals are especially important types of intervals. They differ by a “half step,” a concept fundamental to piano playing. Grasping these intervals can significantly improve your understanding of melodies, harmonies, and the overall music structure.
Major Intervals: Major intervals are typically associated with a bright or joyful sound. They appear in major scales, which is how they received their name. On the piano, within an octave, the major intervals are the major second (two half steps), major third (four half steps), major sixth (nine half steps), and major seventh (eleven half steps). For instance, in the key of C major, the major intervals would be C-D (major second), C-E (major third), C-A (major sixth), and C-B (major seventh).
Minor Intervals: In contrast, minor intervals are often described as having a melancholic or dark sound. They occur in minor scales. The minor intervals within an octave are the minor second (one half step), minor third (three half steps), minor sixth (eight half steps), and minor seventh (ten half steps). So, in the key of C minor, the minor intervals are C-C♯ (minor second), C-E♭ (minor third), C-A♭ (minor sixth), and C-B♭ (minor seventh).
Note that the labels ‘major’ and ‘minor’ are only applied to second, third, sixth, and seventh intervals. Unisons, fourths, fifths, and octaves are referred to as “perfect” intervals and don’t have major or minor versions, though they can be augmented or diminished.
The quality or character of the interval—whether it’s major, minor, perfect, augmented, or diminished—plays a substantial role in shaping the mood and emotional resonance of the music. Hence, understanding the distinction between major and minor intervals is a vital part of becoming a knowledgeable and expressive musician.
Harmonic and Melodic piano intervals
Harmonic and melodic intervals are two different ways that intervals can be presented in music, and they have distinct roles in creating the overall structure and feel of a piece. Here’s how they differ:
Harmonic Intervals: A harmonic interval occurs when two notes are played at the same time. You can think of this as the vertical aspect of music. It forms the basis of harmony, chords, and chord progressions. For example, if you were to play a C and an E on a piano at the same time, you would be playing a major third interval harmonically.
Melodic Intervals: A melodic interval occurs when two notes are played one after the other, in sequence. This can be thought of as the horizontal aspect of music and it forms the basis of melody. For example, if you were to play a C on a piano and then play an E right after, you would be playing a major third interval melodically.
Types of piano intervals
Here we’ll go into more detail about all the different types of intervals found on the piano, exploring practical instances in which you’ll see these intervals appear in your music.
Unison
In music, the term “unison” refers to an interval where two notes of the same pitch are played. On the piano, this could mean playing the same key twice at the same time, possibly with two hands, or on two different instruments. Unison doesn’t introduce any harmonic tension since it’s essentially the same note. It’s often used to strengthen a melodic line or to create a fuller sound. Although it might seem like a simple concept, the effective use of unison can add a lot of power and emphasis within a piece of music.
Minor Second (Half Step)
A minor second interval on the piano is the smallest possible interval on a standard Western keyboard. It occurs when two notes are just one half step (or one key) apart from each other. For instance, the interval from a C to a C♯ (or a D to a D♯, and so on) is a minor second. Due to its small size, the minor second is often perceived as dissonant or tense in many musical contexts.
Half steps on the piano can take three different shapes, or positions.
In five locations on the keyboard, half steps span from a white key to the next adjacent black key, with no keys in between.
In five locations, half steps span from a black key to the next adjacent white key, with no keys in between.
And finally, there are two locations on the piano where there are gaps in the black keys, from B to C, and from E to F. In these cases, a half step spans from one white key to the next adjacent white key.
Major Seconds (Whole Steps)
A major second interval on the piano is the distance between two notes that are two half steps (or two keys) apart from each other. For instance, the interval from a C to a D (or a D to an E, and so on) is a major second. This interval is larger than a minor second and is often perceived as more consonant. The major second is also the second interval in a major scale, which is how it gets its name. It plays a significant role in building melodies and harmonies in a variety of music genres.
In four locations on the keyboard, whole steps span from one white key to the next adjacent white key. In these cases, there is always one black key in between.
In three locations, whole steps span from one black key to the next adjacent black key within a group of two or three black keys.
In two locations, there are whole steps that span from a white key to a black key with a white key in between: From B to C-sharp (D-flat) and from E to F-sharp (G-flat).
Finally, there are two locations where whole steps span from a black key to a white key, with a white key in between: From B-flat (A-sharp) to C, and from E-flat (D-sharp) to F.
Minor Third
A minor third interval on the piano is the distance between two notes that are three half steps, or three keys, apart. For example, the interval from a C to an E♭ (or a D to an F, and so on) is a minor third. This interval is commonly found in minor scales and minor chords, giving them their characteristic melancholic or somber sound. A minor third is often the very first interval children are capable of singing.
Major Third
A major third interval on the piano is the distance between two notes that are four half steps, or four keys, apart. For instance, the interval from a C to an E (or a D to an F♯, and so on) is a major third. This interval is a fundamental component of major scales and major chords, contributing to their traditionally bright or happy sound.
Perfect Fourth
A perfect fourth interval on the piano is the distance between two notes that are five half steps, or five keys, apart. For example, the interval from a C to an F (or a D to a G, and so on) is a perfect fourth. This interval is called “perfect” because it’s neither major nor minor, but remains constant in both major and minor scales.
Tritone (Augmented Fourth/Diminished Fifth)
A tritone is a specific musical interval on the piano that spans six half steps, or six keys. This means that it’s exactly halfway between the root note and the octave, hence the name “tritone,” which means “three whole tones.” An example of a tritone would be the interval from a C to an F♯ (or a D to an A♭, and so on).
The tritone is known for its unique dissonant sound, which can create a feeling of tension or instability in music. Because of this, it’s often used in music to create a sense of drama or suspense. Historically, it was even referred to as the “diabolus in musica” or “the devil in music” due to its dissonance. Despite its somewhat notorious reputation, the tritone plays an important role in many musical genres, particularly in blues and jazz, where it’s often used in dominant seventh chords.
Perfect Fifth
A perfect fifth interval on the piano is the distance between two notes that are seven half steps, or seven keys, apart. For instance, the interval from a C to a G (or a D to an A, and so on) is a perfect fifth. This interval is called “perfect” because, like the perfect fourth, it remains consistent in both major and minor scales.
The perfect fifth is one of the most consonant intervals and forms the foundation of many chords and harmonies in Western music. It’s integral to the formation of basic triads and is recognizable for its stability and resonance.
Minor Sixth
A minor sixth interval on the piano is the distance between two notes that are eight half steps, or eight keys, apart. For example, the interval from a C to an A♭ (or a D to a B♭, and so on) is a minor sixth. This interval is frequently found in minor scales, and its sound is often described as somewhat melancholic, similar to the minor third.
The minor sixth is important for building certain types of chords, such as minor sixth chords and first inversion major chords. Despite its name, the minor sixth isn’t exclusive to minor keys—it’s used in a variety of musical contexts, contributing to the richness and complexity of many pieces.
Major Sixth
A major sixth interval on the piano is the distance between two notes that are nine half steps, or nine keys, apart. For instance, the interval from a C to an A (or a D to a B, and so on) is a major sixth. This interval is a component of the major scale and is often associated with a consonant, stable sound.
Minor Seventh
A minor seventh interval on the piano is the distance between two notes that are ten half steps, or ten keys, apart. For example, the interval from a C to a B♭ (or a D to a C, and so on) is a minor seventh. This interval is a key component of the minor scale, and it’s also found in dominant seventh chords, which are fundamental in many musical styles, especially in blues and jazz.
The minor seventh has a somewhat complex sound that’s not as dissonant as some smaller intervals, but not as consonant as perfect intervals or major sixths. It’s often used in music to create tension that resolves to a more consonant interval.
Major Seventh
A major seventh interval on the piano consists of 11 half steps, or semitones. In terms of the traditional major scale, this is the distance from the first note (the tonic) to the seventh note of the scale.
On the keyboard, the major seventh of a note is typically located on the white or black key immediately to the left of the note an octave higher.
The sound of a major seventh interval is somewhat dissonant but also has a dreamy or longing quality to it.
Octave
An octave, in music, refers to an interval between two pitches where the frequency of the higher pitch is exactly twice the frequency of the lower pitch. This interval is the most fundamental and the most consonant in music.
On a piano, an octave spans 12 semitones (the smallest interval in Western music), which includes 7 white keys and 5 black keys. If we use the note “C” as an example, an octave from “C” would be the very next “C” on the keyboard.
Technically, the term “octave” comes from the Latin word “octavus,” meaning “eighth.” It’s so named because in the diatonic scale (the seven-note musical scale that’s the basis of most Western music, like the major and minor scales), the first and eighth notes form an octave.
Compound intervals
Ninths
Tenths
Elevenths
Twelfs
Thirteenths
Piano interval inversion
Interval inversion is a process in music theory where a given interval is turned upside down. This simply means the lower note becomes the upper note, and the upper note becomes the lower one. For example, if you have a major third interval from C to E (C being the lower note and E being the upper note), you could invert this interval by moving the C up an octave. E would now be the lower note and C the upper, creating a minor sixth interval.
How does interval inversion work?
An easy way to understand this is that inverted intervals always add up to nine. Major becomes minor and vice versa, and similarly, seconds become sevenths, thirds become sixths, and fourths become fifths when inverted. For instance, a major third (C to E) becomes a minor sixth when inverted (E to C), and a perfect fourth (C to F) becomes a perfect fifth (F to C).
Why is interval inversion important?
Interval inversion is more than just a theoretical concept. It’s a practical tool that can improve your musical understanding and piano playing in several ways:
Understanding Harmony: Interval inversions help you understand and recognize common chord progressions. Many chords are inversions of other chords, which is why they often have similar sounds.
Pattern Recognition: Understanding interval inversions can greatly aid in sight-reading, as you begin to recognize patterns and relationships between the notes more easily.
Contour in Composition: When composing or improvising, knowing how to invert intervals can give you more options and variety, adding depth and giving you more control over your creative process.
A thorough understanding of piano intervals is an indispensable part of your musical toolbox. From recognizing basic intervals, to comprehending compound intervals, to applying the concept of interval inversion.
The knowledge of intervals isn’t just a theoretical construct; it deeply enriches your ability to create, interpret, and communicate through the language of music. It’s essential for sight-reading, improvising, composing, and recognizing the inherent patterns within musical structures.
As you continue your journey with the piano, these interval concepts will become second nature, informing the way you visualize patterns on the keyboard and ingrain positions and distances between your fingers. Overall, a deep knowledge of intervals will truly enhance all your pianistic endeavors.