Chapter 8. Musical Intervals

Transcription

1 Chapter 8. Musical Intervals 8.1 Overview: Itʹs Like Using a Ruler A musical interval is the distance between two notes. Itʹs like measuring the distance with a ruler. How far apart are they? Once we establish the notes we are talking about, it doesnʹt matter which one is higher or lower, weʹre just worried about the distance between them. But, if we are talking about ascending and descending intervals from a given note, then we need to look a little closer. Is an understanding of musical intervals important? Well, think about chord construction, songwriting, transposing, and improvisation. Understanding and hearing musical intervals puts you ʺintoʺ the sound. Believe it or not, an understanding of musical intervals will also make your listening experience more enjoyable. Figure 8.1 Musical Intervals

2 8.2 Musical Intervals Have a First Name and a Last Name Just like people, musical intervals have two names: a First Name and a Last Name The Last Name The last name is a number. To determine the last name we count the distance between the letter names of the notes. For example, from C to E is a third (counting C, D, E is counting 1, 2, 3) The First Name The first name is a little more colorful. It might be major, minor, perfect, diminished or augmented. To determine the first name we need to figure out the actual distance between the notes in terms of whole steps and half steps. Figuring out the first names is not hard, but you have to keep a few things in mind. Remember the C major scale? Maybe you thought once we left Chapter 1 you could forget about it. Not true! If you remember that any two consecutive natural notes have a whole step between them except B to C and E to F which have half steps, then you can count the actual distance in terms of whole and half steps. You can start with any note and count to any other note. 2

3 Figure 8.2 Pattern for the C Major Scale Letʹs try a few: 1. E to G = 1 1/2 steps or 3 half steps 2. D to A = 3 1/2 steps or 7 half steps See how it works? Now, if the interval is made bigger or smaller using sharps or flats we have to factor that in. Letʹs try a couple of those: 1. E to G# = 2 whole steps because we made the interval bigger by a half step. How? By raising the upper note. 2. Db to A = 4 whole steps because, again, we made the interval bigger. This time by lowering the lower note a half step. So, weʹre still just talking about the distance between two notes. Hereʹs what happens when you make an interval bigger or smaller: Decrease a Major interval by a half step and it becomes Minor Decrease a Minor interval by a half step and it becomes Diminished Increase a Major interval by a half step and it becomes Augmented Decrease a Perfect interval by a half step and it becomes Diminished 3

4 Increase a Perfect interval by a half step and it becomes Augmented Right about now you might be thinking, ʺJust take me out and shoot me!ʺ Well, letʹs have a look at Figure 8.3. It summarizes the first names for intervals in terms of the actual distance (whole steps and half steps). Hopefully all this stuff about intervals will start to come together. To help make sense of this chart, letʹs look at an example: In the top row we are talking about seconds like C to D, A to B, etc. 1. If there is a whole step between them the interval is a major second (M2). 2. If we decrease that interval by putting a flat on the top one or a sharp on the bottom one then it becomes a minor second (m2). 3. If we increase the interval by putting a sharp on the top one or a flat on the bottom one, then it becomes an augmented second (aug2). Diminished Minor Major Augmented Second 0 1/ /2 Third 1 1 1/ /2 Sixth 3 1/ /2 5 Seventh 4 1/ /2 6 Perfect 4

5 Unison 0 1/2 Fourth 2 2 1/2 3 Fifth 3 3 1/2 4 Octave 5 1/ /2 Figure 8.3 First Names for Intervals Note: There is no such thing as a Major or Minor Forth There is no such thing as a Major or Minor Fifth ʺIs everybody happy? Well I should say!ʺ Wrap Up To wrap up all this technical stuff letʹs try some ascending and descending intervals. 1. Interval between C and D ascending? Last Name = 2 (count from C to D) First name = Major because the actual distance is a whole step. Therefore the interval between C and D is a major 2nd 2. Interval between B and E ascending? Last Name = 4 (count from B to E) First Name = Perfect (2 1/2 steps) Therefore the interval between B and E is a perfect 4th Are we having fun yet? OK, letʹs try one more. 3. Interval between E and D ascending? Last Name = 7 (count from E up to D) 5

6 First Name = Minor (5 whole steps. or a whole step less than an octave) Therefore E to D ascending is a minor 7th (m7). 4. Interval between E and D descending? Last name 2 (counting down or backwards from E to D) First Name = Major (1 whole step) Therefore E to D descending is a major second (M2). 8.3 Easy Ways to Remember the Sound of Intervals The best way to get used to the sound of musical intervals is to relate them to familiar songs. Probably ascending intervals are easier to hear, but it is important to be familiar with the sound of descending intervals too. Figure 8.4 below lists some popular songs that have ascending and descending intervals. I tried to find a few examples for each interval because not everyone is an old guy like me. 6

7 Minor 2nd Ascending Descending A Hard Days Night Isnʹt She Lovely White Christmas I Left My Heart in San Francisco Joy to the World Oh Little Town of Bethlehem The Lady is a Tramp Stella by Starlight Stormy Weather How Insensitive I Remember You Iʹm Getting Sentimental over You Major 2nd Ascending Descending Are You Sleeping Frère Jacques Mary Had a Little Lamb Happy Birthday to You Yesterday Do-Re-Me (Sound of Music) Silent Night Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Strangers in the Night My Funny Valentine The Tennessee Waltz Three Blind Mice The First Noel Away in a Manger Whistle While You Work MASH theme Eight Days a Week Satin Doll On the Sunny Side of the Street Minor 3rd Ascending Descending Greensleeves Hey Jude Lullaby (Brahms) Georgia on My Mind Spiderman theme The Impossible Dream A Time for Us Frosty the Snowman Star Spangled Banner Jesus Loves Me This Old Man Misty Minor Swing Somewhere My Love A Foggy Day 7

8 Major 3rd Ascending Descending Oh, When the Saints Kumbaya Ob-La-Di -Ob-La-Da Morning has Broken Swing Low Sweet Chariot Summertime Shoo Fly, Donʹt Bother Me Good Night Ladies Michael Row the Boat Ashore From the Halls of Montezuma Sweet Hour of Prayer Perfect 4th Ascending Descending Amazing Grace Oh, Come all ye Faithful Here Comes the Bride We Wish You a Merry Christmas Love Me Tender Auld Lang Syne Iʹve Been Working on the Railroad Born Free Shave and a Haircut A Mighty Fortress is Our God Oh Christmas Tree Hark, the Herald Angels Sing Star Trek theme All the Things You Are El Condor Pasa Simple Gifts Perfect 5th Ascending Descending Twinkle Twinkle Little Star What Do You Do with a Drunken Sailor Star Wars It Donʹt Mean a Thing My Favorite Things Scarborough Fair The Way You Look Tonight Feelings Blackbird Superman Baa Baa Black Sheep X-Files theme Also Sprach Zarathustra Minor 6th Ascending Descending The Entertainer (Scott Joplin) Love Story theme 8

9 In My Life (Beatles) Sheʹs a Woman (Beatles) Morning of the Carnival (Black Orfeus) Major 6th Ascending Descending My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean It Came upon a Midnight Clear (NBC chimes ) Dashing Through the Snow Hush Little Baby My Way For Heʹs a Jolly Good Fellow Take the A-Train Minor 7th Ascending Descending Somewhere (West Side Story) The Winner Takes All (ABBA) Nobody Knows the Trouble Iʹve Seen The Music of the Night (Phantom of the Opera) Down by the Riverside Over There An American in Paris Lady Jane Major 7th Ascending Descending Bali Hai I Love You (Cole Porter) Octave Ascending Descending Singinʹ in the Rain Over the Rainbow Let It Snow The Christmas Song Blue Bossa Willow Weep for Me Figure 8.4 Popular Songs 9