Intervals

Interval

The distance from one note to another

Half steps

Smallest interval in western music; White keys E-F and B-C

Whole steps

The distance of two half steps combined

Unison

An interval of no distance

Major Second

Interval distance of two half steps (C→D)

Major Third

Interval distance of four half steps (C→E)

Perfect Fourth

Interval distance of five half steps (C→F)

Perfect fifth

Interval distance of seven half steps (C→G)

Major sixth

Interval distance of nine half steps (C→A)

Major Seventh

Interval distance of eleven half steps (C→B)

Octave

Interval distance of twelve half steps (C→C)

Minor Second

Interval distance of one half step (One half whole step)

Minor Third

Interval distance of three half steps (One and a half whole steps)

Minor Sixth

Interval distance of eight half steps (Four whole steps)

Minor seventh

Interval distance of ten half steps (Five whole steps)

Major/Minor Intervals

Interval that applies to the distance of seconds, thirds, sixths and sevenths

Perfect Intervals

Interval that applies to the distances of unison, fourth, fifth, and octave

Major Second

Interval distance of two half steps (One whole step)

Major Third

Interval distance of four half steps (Two whole steps)

Major Sixth

Interval distance of nine half steps (Four and one half steps)

Major Seventh

Interval distance of eleven half steps (Five and one half whole steps)

Perfect fourth

Interval distance of five half steps (Two and a half whole steps)

Perfect Fifth

Interval distance of seven half steps (three and a half whole steps)

Perfect octave

Interval distance of twelve half steps distance (Six whole steps)

Augmented Intervals

Any interval that is larger than a major or perfect interval; you can only augment second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth intervals

Diminished Interval

An interval that has been made smaller

Chromatic Interval

Includes all twelve tones and are one semitone apart; not minor, diminished, or augmented