Intervals

The distance between notes and why it matters.

The distance between two notes is the building block of melody and harmony.

+40 XP

// WHAT IT DOES

An interval is the gap between two pitches, measured in semitones. C to D is 2 semitones (a major 2nd). C to G is 7 semitones (a perfect 5th). C to the next C is 12 semitones (an ).

Each interval has a name (minor 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 5th…) and a characteristic sound. Some sound consonant and stable (3rds, 5ths, 6ths). Some sound tense (2nds, 7ths). Some sound 'in motion' (4ths, tritones).

Chords are stacks of intervals. Melodies are sequences of intervals. Once you hear intervals reliably, music starts to feel like Lego rather than magic.

Think of it like → Notes are letters; intervals are the syllables. Music is built from intervals, not isolated notes.

▸ WHY YOU CARE

• Building chords by interval works in any key — no need to memorise each chord separately.
• Ear training is mostly interval training.
• Intervals carry consistent emotional weight across keys.

// SEE & HEAR IT

EAR TRAINING

SoundGym-style musical drills. Train the ear producers actually need.

▸ HOW IT WORKS

▸ Signal flow — watch the dot

▸ SIGNAL FLOW

Glowing dot = your signal travelling through Live.

▸ LISTEN FOR

• The signature 'colour' of each interval.
• vs pull.
• Resolution patterns ( → 3rd is classic).

▸ WALKTHROUGH (5 steps)

1. DO: Play C then G (7 semitones).
▸ LISTEN: Perfect 5th — open, stable, strong.
2. DO: Play C then F# (6 semitones).
▸ LISTEN: Tritone — tense, unresolved.
3. DO: Play C then E (4 semitones).
▸ LISTEN: Major 3rd — sweet, characteristic of major chords.
4. DO: Sing the first two notes of 'Twinkle Twinkle' (a perfect 5th).
▸ LISTEN: Reference for hearing P5 anywhere.
5. DO: Play a tritone (C → F#).
▸ LISTEN: Unresolved, dissonant — the 'devil's interval' in old theory.

▸ COMMON MISTAKES

✗ Counting wrong — semitones, not white keys.
✗ Confusing major and minor 3rd by ear (1 difference).
✗ Treating tritone as 'wrong' instead of useful tension.

// QUIZ (QUICK)

Question 1 / 40 correct

How many semitones is a perfect fifth?

← The Minor Scale Pentatonic Scales →