Know Your Intervals
An interval is the distance in pitch between two notes. Here is table showing all the intervals that exist within one octave in the key of C:
| Lower note | Higher note | Number of steps | Interval |
| C | C | 0 | unison |
| C | Db | 1 | minor second |
| C | D | 2 | major second |
| C | Eb | 3 | minor third |
| C | E | 4 | major third |
| C | F | 5 | perfect fourth |
| C | Gb | 6 | diminished fifth |
| C | G | 7 | perfect fifth |
| C | Ab | 8 | minor sixth |
| C | A | 9 | major sixth |
| C | Bb | 10 | minor seventh |
| C | B | 11 | major seventh |
| C | C | 12 | octave |
The interval name such as second, third etc can be found by counting the number of letters alphabetically between the lower and higher note. For example from C to E, you count C-D-E and get three letter names. So you know it’s some type of third. The actual type of third (major or minor) will depend on the number of steps in between as shown in the chart. Also, note that seconds, thirds, sixths and sevenths are usually major or minor, while the fourths and fifths are perfect. When you lower a perfect interval it becomes diminished, and when you raise a perfect interval it becomes augmented.
In a major scale we have the following intervals: major second, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, major sixth, major seventh and octave. This pattern is the same for any major scale and helps to create its unique sound.
Why is this important?
Each interval has a particular sound that you can use in your solos. Try playing the notes from each interval separately and together. Intervals are also used to build chords (more on that in another topic).