How does one measure the interval between two pitches?

Question

What is the procedure for measuring the interval between two pitches? How do I know if something is a fifth, sixth, or something else? Why, for instance, is C to D a second even though we only go up one note? And how do I know if it the interval major, minor, or something else? Lastly, I've heard people say that I shouldn't measure intervals by just counting half steps. Why is this a bad idea?

Answer 1

Hi there, I think I can help answer your questions. The names of the intervals refers to the placement of the note within a scale. C to D is a "major second" because D is the second note in the C major scale. It's a *major* second because it's one whole-step up from C. I will list a C major scale below along with the major scale intervals, major scale degrees, as well as do the same for the A minor scale. I recommend memorizing these lists as it will help when trying to identify intervals.

C Major Scale: C D E F G A B

Major Scale Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Major Scale Intervals: root, major 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, major 6th, major 7th

A Minor Scale: A B C D E F G

Minior Scale Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

Minor Scale Intervals: root, major 2nd, minor 3rd, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, minor 6th, minor 7th

To answer your last question, measuring intervals by using half-steps is not a great idea because it is pretty inefficient once you are counting the half-steps in a major 7th interval for example. We use these interval measurements as a way to avoid having to count the individual steps within each interval. By using half-steps (which is the smallest distance possible between two notes) you are actually making it a bit more difficult and time-consuming than interval measuring has to be.

With music theory, there will always be memorization needed, sounds like you have made some good progress and would find it useful to keep those lists in mind!

Hope that helps

-Nic