Intervals

Printable PDF Interval Guide Download a Printable PDF Interval Guide

- INTERVALS: Okay, next up let’s talk about the word INTERVAL. So we discovered that a vibrating string was subdivided into 12 equal lengths to produce the 12 tones in an equal temperament tonal system. The distances BETWEEN each of these tones are referred to as INTERVALS and represent the relationship between two pitches. The cool thing about pitch intervals is that we use them every day to convey a feeling or intention as we communicate verbally. For example, If I say “Okay” like this, you might interpret some enthusiasm and energy from the response. However, if I say “Okay” you can guess that maybe I’m not so happy. And these tonal differences in our spoken language can be very complex, like sarcasm or confidence. The pitch intervals that we use to communicate feelings are closely tied to the feelings we can create by playing intervals such as a minor third, which can communicate feelings of sadness or melancholy. Cool right!? So then what we’re doing as we combine musical pitches is basically like talking without saying words. The emotion associated with each musical interval can be broken down into two categories: major and minor. Major intervals tend to sound happy, while minor intervals tend to sound sad. Let’s listen to all of the intervals in our chromatic scale so that we can start tuning our ears to the subtle differences between them. I’ve also included a printable PDF INTERVAL guide that I recommend having available beside you at your studio computer for quick reference. You see on the guide that I’ve included the following categories, the Interval as a number of Semitones, the name of the interval, the spelling of the interval if you ever want to get music nerdy, an example from C, the Emotion, and an easy way to remember what these intervals sound like. For example, a minor second interval that’s made of a single semitone interval will create an emotional reaction of Fear, Anger, or Shyness. This interval was harnessed by our favorite scary shark movie, JAWS. Duh duh, duh duh. Let’s place this on the piano roll so you can see what it looks like from a view you’ll be using a lot! -Unison: This interval is the same note played twice and has no emotional association. -Minor 2nd: This interval is a half step and can sound unstable or tense. -Major 2nd: This interval is a whole step and can sound cheerful or open. -Minor 3rd: This interval is a minor third and can sound sad or regretful. -Major 3rd: This interval is a major third and can sound happy or triumphant. -Perfect 4th: This interval is a perfect fourth and can sound stable or secure. -Augmented 4th: This interval is an augmented fourth and can sound unstable or tense. -Perfect 5th: This interval is a perfect fifth and can sound stable or secure. -Minor 6th: This interval is a minor sixth and can sound sad or regretful. -Major 6th: This interval is a major sixth and can sound happy or triumphant. -Minor 7th: This interval is a minor seventh and can sound unstable or tense. -Major 7th: This interval is a major seventh and can sound cheerful or open. So hopefully with this information about the correlation between pitch intervals and emotion, you can begin to see why learning this language will help you communicate an emotional message with a melody. As you compose a melody or bass line you can now consider the melody contour as the progression of a story. For example, let’s say we are writing a melody that moves upward from a low pitch to a higher pitch using large steps of major intervals. The impression for the listener could be that the music is building up to something energetic and positive. Whereas, a melody consisting of many smaller, intervals zigzagging up and down, might feel tentative or stable. In the next video, we’ll boil down the notes in a chromatic scale into important interval patterns that are commonly used in all of your favourite music. We’re talking about scales in the next video and I know you’ll love it! See you there!