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Intervals
An interval is a distance between 2 notes. Intervals are described as Major, Minor, Perfect, Augmented or Diminished.
Intervals in the Major Scale
In the example of the "C Major Scale" the following intervals can be found naturally from the root, "C", to the given notes above it in the scale:
Major 2nd: C to D
Major 3rd: C to E
Perfect 4th: C to F
Perfect 5th: C to G
Major 6th: C to A
Major 7th: C to B
Perfect Octave (8th): C to C (the next higher C)
Intervals in the Minor Scale
In the example of the "A Minor Scale" the following intervals can be found naturally from the root, "A", to the given notes above it in the scale:
Major 2nd: A to B
Minor 3rd: A to C
Perfect 4th: A to D
Perfect 5th: A to E
Minor 6th: A to F
Minor 7th: A to G
Perfect Octave: A to A (the next higher A)
Perfect Intervals
The three perfect intervals are the 4th, 5th and Octave when unaltered. They are described as "perfect" because they have no major or minor tonality.
Augmented Intervals
When a major or perfect interval has been enlarged (augmented) by 1 half-step, that interval is labeled Augmented. For example: c to F is a Perfect 4th, so C to F# is an Augmented 4th. C to D# is an Augmented 2nd, and so forth.
Minor Intervals
When a major interval is condensed by 1 half-step, that interval is labeled Minor. For example: C to E is a Major 3rd, so C to Eb (Flat) is a Minor 3rd.
Diminished Intervals
When a major interval is condensed by 2 half-steps, or a perfect interval is condensed by 1 half-step, that interval is labeled Diminished. For example: C to Gb is a Diminished 5th.
Enharmonic Intervals
Enharmonic intervals are intervals that are written a different way, but sound the same way. For example, C to Eb is a Minor 3rd, and C to D# is an Augmented 2nd, but those two intervals sound exactly the same.
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