Music theory definition
Interval inversion
Flipping an interval by moving the lower note up an octave. The numbers add up to 9.
The rule of nine
: flip the bottom up an .
Learn it in context
This term is introduced in Unit 5: Intervals. Work through the explanations and exercises to connect the definition with music.
- Inverting intervals
Flip an interval and its name changes predictably.
Related music terms
- Interval
- The distance between two notes, named by number (how many letters) and quality.
- Perfect interval
- Unisons, 4ths, 5ths, and octaves in their natural size. They sound open and stable.
- Major interval
- The larger form of a 2nd, 3rd, 6th or 7th - the size found above the tonic of a major scale.
- Minor interval
- A major interval made a half step smaller.
- Augmented
- A half step larger than perfect or major.
- Diminished
- A half step smaller than perfect or minor.