{"id":11200,"date":"2015-12-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-12-19T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hearandplay.com\/main\/?p=11200"},"modified":"2024-10-16T03:22:15","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T11:22:15","slug":"six-characteristic-features-of-intervals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearplaymain.wpenginepowered.com\/six-characteristic-features-of-intervals\/","title":{"rendered":"Exposed: Six Characteristic Features of Intervals"},"content":{"rendered":"

The concept of intervals is one that a vast majority of musicians are yet to get acquainted with. <\/p>\n

If two books are kept side-by-side – one on intervals<\/em> and another on chords<\/em>, which would you go for?<\/p>\n

Experience tells me there aren’t very many people who would opt for the one on intervals. Most would prefer to go straight to chords. Heck, many years ago, I belonged to the league of musicians who knew very little, if anything, about intervals besides their definition as the distance [in pitch] between two notes<\/em>… and the number of half steps each interval contained, etc. <\/p>\n

Long story short, I literally used intervals in the same way most would use a measuring tape. However, with exposure to traditional principles, I came to realize that they meant much more than this surface-level definition. I saw harmonic<\/em> and melodic<\/em> potentials, consonance<\/em> and dissonance,<\/em> and much more that I can’t wait to share with you. <\/p>\n

If you are where I used to be, I recommend you read this post very carefully because I’m exposing six characteristic features of intervals that will broaden your scope. <\/p>\n

But before we go any further, let’s break down the definition.<\/p>\n

Intervals – Defined<\/em><\/h2>\n

An interval is the distance [in pitch] between two notes.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Let’s break this down.<\/p>\n

#1 – An interval is the relationship between two notes.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n

An interval does not contain<\/i> more than two notes. The relationship between more than two notes yields chords.<\/p>\n

#2 – When two notes are sounded\/heard, there\u2019s distance<\/em> between them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This distance is measured in pitch [level]. Considering that pitch is the level of lowness or highness, graveness (extreme lowness) or acuteness (extreme highness) of a music sound<\/em>, the measurement of distance here basically has to do with the contrast in the level of lowness or highness between the two notes <\/strong>involved. <\/p>\n

When the distance between two notes is measured, it is in terms of lowness or highness. The first note when compared to the second may<\/i> differ in terms of lowness or highness. When C and E are played on the piano\/keyboard:
\n
\n…E (in contrast to C) will have a level of highness. This highness is because of the distance in pitch between them. <\/p>\n

When C and A are played on the piano\/keyboard:
\n
\n…A (in contrast to C) will also have a level of highness. This highness is because of the distance in pitch between them.<\/p>\n

The level of highness of A above C will sound higher than that of E above C and this is because the distance from C to A is wider <\/i>than that of C to E. The distance between the notes of an interval is called its width<\/em> or height<\/em>. Therefore, we can say that C-A is bigger than C-E in width.<\/p>\n

\"intervals\"
\n
\nAny two notes on the keyboard can form an interval.<\/p>\n

C to E
\n
\nE to G
\n
\nA\u266d to B
\n
\nD to B\u266d
\n
\nC\u266f to B\u266d
\n
\nBefore we proceed, you must note the following:<\/p>\n