Music theory definition
Interval
The distance between two notes, named by number (how many letters) and quality.
Hear an example
Play the example and listen for the idea described above.
What an interval is
An is the gap between two . Count letters, both ends included.
Learn it in context
This term is introduced in Unit 5: Intervals. Work through the explanations and exercises to connect the definition with music.
- Measuring distance
An interval's number: count the letter names.
- Inverting intervals
Flip an interval and its name changes predictably.
Explore with an interactive tool
- Interval trainer
Explore every interval with sound and sight, or train your ear with the intervals you choose.
Related music terms
- 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.
- Tritone
- An interval of three whole steps (six half steps) - an augmented 4th or diminished 5th. Famously restless.