Grade 5 Theory Intervals

An interval contains two pieces of information, a quality and a quantity. For example: a
Perfect Fifth, the first term describes how the interval sounds, the second refers to the
distance between the two notes.

Quantity

The quantity is easy to work out, as you simply count how many notes that span the
distance between the interval including the two constituent notes as well. For example CE is a third, because it spans and includes 3 note: C, D, and E. Here are all the intervals
up to an octave:

Note that a 1st and an 8th are never called such, but Unison or Octave.
If an interval is more than an octave it is called a compound interval, like so:

Give the quantity of these intervals:

Quality

As already mentioned, intervals also have a quality, which describes how the interval
sounds. Here are the qualitative terms for the intervals in a major scale, which you
should learn.

Perfect intervals are called perfect because they sound the most pure and consonant.
In the major scale these are the unison and octave (because they are the same note
they sound very consonant) and the fourth and fifth. (all the ones that start with a f
if this helps!: Perfect intervals are the fourth and fifth.)

Working out the quality of an interval

1. Imagine the lowest note as the tonic of a major scale.
2. If the other note is within that scale then it will be major or perfect according to the
rules of the major scale.
3. If not then the distance will either be one or two semitones bigger or smaller than the
major scale norm

Philip Robinson 2012

a. Perfect intervals: if they are increased by a semitone they become

augmented, if decreased by a semitone they become diminished.
b. Major intervals: if they are increased by a semitone they also become
augmented, if decreased by a semitone they become minor.
i. A major interval can also be reduced by two semitones, in which case
it becomes diminished.
Here is this process in a diagram:

Now work out these intervals:

Philip Robinson 2012