Intervals
Lesson 11 of 14 · Intermediate · 2nds to octaves, by sound and by look.
Counting intervals
An interval is the distance between two notes. To name it, count the letters from one note to the other, counting both ends.
C to E is C, D, E: three letters, so it's a 3rd. C to G is a 5th. C to the next C is an octave (an 8th).
Seeing them on the staff
A 2nd goes from a line to the next space (or a space to the next line). A 3rd goes from a line to the next line, or a space to the next space.
A 5th skips one more line: line to line with a line in between. With practice you'll see these shapes without counting.
Hearing them
Press Hear it to hear each interval. A 2nd sounds close and rubbing; a 3rd sweet; a 4th and 5th open and hollow; an octave like the same note, higher.
This page plays a 5th, C and G.
Practice
Name the interval on the staff. Press Hear it to hear it too.
Now build intervals on the keyboard. Count both ends.
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