An interval is the space between two pitches.
The smallest interval in Western music is a half step. Intervals are typically measured with respect to the number of half steps between the two pitches.
The smallest interval in Western music is the half step, which appears between the pitches B and C and between E and F. Two half steps make up one whole step.
When two notes of the same pitch are played by two different instruments or voices,
they are played in unison. Two identical notes with the same name, played eight
degrees apart, form an octave.
An interval is simply described by using these relative numbers: Counting C as the first degree, D is the second degree, and the interval between them is called a second. The interval between C and F (the first and fourth degrees) is a fourth, and so on.
When describing the intervals, the adjectives ‘minor,’ ‘major.’ and ‘perfect’ are used, based on the length of the interval.
Minor and Major Intervals
Minor 2nd
Major 2nd
Minor 3rd
Major 3rd
Minor 6th
Major 6th
Minor 7th
Major 7th
The 4th and 5th intervals do not have minor or major states. They are called ‘perfect intervals.’
Perfect Intervals
Perfect 4th
Perfect 5th
When the fourth or the fifth degree in these perfect intervals are raised or lowered by a semitone, the resulting interval is called either augmented (if raised) or a diminished interval (if lowered).
