Intervals -- The Key That Unlocks The Door To Chords
So if we have two notes, say, C and D, the interval (another word for space between) is a 2nd; C is 1 and D is 2. If the two notes are C and E, then we have a third. C and F constitute a 4th, C and G a 5th, and so on.
It's one thing to know that, but an entirely different thing to be able to HEAR the difference between any two notes and recognize what interval it is. It is also an entirely different thing to be able to SEE any interval and immediately recognize it.
For example, if I can recognize a 7th when I see it in written music, and I know what a 7th feels like when I play it -- in other words, the span between notes is familiar -- then I can play it without thinking and my sight-reading speeds up immensely.
Any even numbered interval, such as 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, or 12th, is made up of one line and one space. It can't be otherwise.
Any odd numbered interval, such as a 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, or 11th, is made up of either two lines or two spaces -- never one of each. It can't be otherwise.
Just knowing and understanding that alone can make a BIG difference in your sight-reading.
As far as hearing the difference in intervals is concerned, two things will help you develop your ear:
1. Being aware of intervals as you listen to songs. Think: "What interval is that? If the melody is moving up, by how much? If the melody is moving down, by how much? You'll be surprised how quickly you can
catch on to hearing intervals just by being aware of them!2. Play them on your instrument over and over. Play 2nds until you feel like screaming and can't stand it anymore. Then play 3rds repeatedly. Then 4ths. Then 5ths. Then 6ths. Then 7ths. Then octaves. Then 9ths.
Then 10ths. Then 11ths. Then 12ths. Then 13ths. Then skip around -- 2nds, 9ths, 6ths, 3rds, etc. Have someone else in the family play intervals for you and you guess what they are.Now play the intervals shown on the Finale Viewer below. These are called "melodic intervals", because each note is played separately, as in a melody.
Transpose the intervals shown into EVERY KEY (I created the practice sheet in C, but you can transpose it to every other key and SEE what the intervals look like while you
HEAR them!
(Click on the green arrow to start the music playing. Do not scroll down while the music is playing, or it will stop. To transpose to another key, click the icon with the 2 flats on it. You can then choose any key from that point. There is also a help file icon you can access by clicking on the book icon in the upper right corner. This is a new technology, so if it doesn't work correctly on your browser, there is nothing I can do about it -- at least the price is right -- free! Just learn what you can from the text and by practicing on your own instrument. Like all new technologies, problems are worked out gradually, and I'm sure it will work better for more people with different computers and monitors as time goes by. Meanwhile, for those who can benefit from it, rejoice!)
If you can't see the score, click here to get the Finale Viewer Plug-In. Produced using Finale.
Knowing intervals will help you a great deal in both sight-reading and ear-developing, but a knowledge of intervals is necessary for building chords. Next issue we will take a look at that, so master this issue by drilling yourself on these intervals repeatedly.