musical interval
Distance between notes
A musical interval is the distance in pitch between two notes, measured by the number of steps on the scale.
Intervals have names like third, fifth, and octave.
Playing notes simultaneously produces a harmonic interval; playing them in sequence produces a melodic interval.
Intervals determine whether music sounds consonant or dissonant.
Minimum Western musical interval
- toneQuality of sound
- octaveEight-note interval
- fifthFive's place in sequence
- fourthOrdinal for position four
third · sixth · seventh · second · unison · tritone · perfect · major
Fine-edged, or astute
- flatLacking vertical variation
- naturalNot artificially produced
- accidentalOccurring by chance
- ledger lineShort line extending staff
staff · score · half step · whole step · quality · tablature
Harmonious sound combination
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- chordNotes sounded simultaneously
- triadGroup of three
- arpeggioSuccessive chord tones
voicing · resolution · suspension · tension · release · polyphony · counterpoint · parallel
Inborn behavioral nature
- equal temperamentUniform pitch division system
- PythagoreanOf ancient Greek mathematics
- pureUnmixed, without impurities
- wolfWild pack canine
beating · cents · ratio · comma · microtonal · quarter tone
semitone
Minimum Western musical interval
fourth · third · sixth · seventh · second · unison · tritone · perfect · major · minor
sharp
Fine-edged, or astute
- flatLacking vertical variation
- naturalNot artificially produced
- accidentalOccurring by chance
ledger line · staff · score · half step · whole step · quality · tablature
consonance
Harmonious sound combination
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- chordNotes sounded simultaneously
- triadGroup of three
arpeggio · voicing · resolution · suspension · tension · release · polyphony · counterpoint · parallel · harmonization
temperament
Inborn behavioral nature
- equal temperamentUniform pitch division system
- PythagoreanOf ancient Greek mathematics
- pureUnmixed, without impurities
wolf · beating · cents · ratio · comma · microtonal · quarter tone