Overview
An interval is the distance between two pitches. Intervals can be heard one after another as melodic intervals or at the same time as harmonic intervals.
This page belongs to the Music Theory and Composition area of the Malone Global University Music Department. Theory pages should connect written concepts to listening, performance, creativity, analysis, and musical communication.
On This Page
Theory and Composition Links
Use these links to move through related theory, composition, foundation, performance, and reference topics.
Half Steps and Whole Steps
Half steps and whole steps are basic interval distances used to build scales, chords, melodies, and harmonic patterns.
Interval Quality
Intervals are described by number and quality, such as major third, minor sixth, perfect fifth, or diminished seventh.
Hearing Intervals
Interval study should connect written theory to listening. Students should hear how intervals sound in melodies, chords, bass lines, and vocal parts.
Study Questions
- What musical pattern or creative problem does this topic help explain?
- How can you hear this topic in an actual song, piece, performance, or recording?
- What vocabulary terms are most important for this topic?
- How does this topic connect to rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form, notation, or instrumentation?
- How could a composer, songwriter, arranger, performer, or producer use this idea creatively?