Intervals De-Mystified PART ONE
How would you properly name the interval in between F and
C#? How about the interval in between F and Cb? Would that interval be the same
as F to B?
Reading this section will give you the knowledge to easily
and properly name ANY interval with 100% confidence. No more need for guesswork.
You'll also be able to properly invert any interval instantly with absolute
accuracy.
We'll do this in two segments. In Part 1, we'll memorize 3
different sequences, so that we know all of the GENERIC intervals. What I mean
is this: The first part will deal with learning all of the 2nds, 3rds, 4ths,
etc. in GENERIC form; the second part will deal with refining this perception
to SPECIFIC intervals such as Minor 3rds, Augmented 5ths, Diminished 6ths, etc.
PART ONE
Memorize the SEQUENCE OF GENERIC 2NDS:
If you have trouble with this sequence, perhaps you shouldn't
continue! Be aware that all distances in between these notes are wholesteps,
EXCEPT from B to C and from E to F. These exceptions are made up of distances
of a halfstep.
Memorize the SEQUENCE OF GENERIC 3RDS:
This sequence appears, at first glance, to be a little more
challenging. Don't worry; I just think of it as FACE-G-B-D. You'll want to take
a little more time with this sequence because some of the distances are 3 halfsteps
(minor 3) and some are 4 halfsteps (Major 3). Take some time now and look at
these notes on a guitar or a piano and determine which intervals (distances)
are 3 halfsteps (m3) and which are 4 halfsteps (M3). Take a look at this:
The last sequence you need to memorize is the SEQUENCE OF
PERFECT 4THS:
Memorizing this sequence can be made easier if you think of
it as BEAD-G-C-F. Notice that all of the distances between the notes are equal:
5 halfsteps. This interval is named a PERFECT 4TH (we'll discuss more about
this in PART TWO), as opposed to the 2 types of GENERIC intervals (they contained
mixed distances or intervals). The SEQUENCE OF PERFECT 4THS will continue after
the note F in the sequence by starting the sequence again, but this time flatting
the notes. Here is the entire sequence:
Before we get to PART TWO, you'll need to memorize the phrase
"When inverting intervals, the numbers must always add up to 9". What
this means is this: If you know that the interval from F up to A is a 3rd (whether
it be major OR minor), and then you invert that interval to become A up to F,
you'd be able to quickly calculate that A up to F is a 6th interval (9 minus
3rd = 6th). If you know that B up to E is a 4th then you know that E up to B
is a 5th (9 minus 4th = 5th).
Put all of this together by realizing that:
-
You know the GENERIC SEQUENCE OF 2NDS; if you can think of this sequence
backwards, you
also know the GENERIC SEQUENCE OF 7THS.
-
You know the GENERIC SEQUENCE OF 3RDS; if you can think of this sequence
backwards, you
also know the GENERIC SEQUENCE OF 6THS.
-
You know the SEQUENCE OF PERFECT 4THS; if you can think of this sequence
backwards, you
also know the SEQUENCE OF PERFECT 5THS.
By memorizing these 3 simple sequences (and being able to
think backwards), you now know ALL generic intervals: 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths,
6ths, and 7ths. Also take note that you can avoid ever having to think in intervals
larger than a 4th (if you want), because if you're dealing with an interval
larger than a 4th, you can always invert it in your mind, deal with it then
re-invert it. This sounds much more difficult than it really is, so don't let
it intimidate you.