Qualities of Intervals

Some intervals have 4 possibilities, others have only 3.  Please refer to the illustration in your text.

The accidentals that affect the quality of an interval do not change the letter names of the notes or the name of an interval.  B# does not become C!  Fb does not become E!

 

Qualities of intervals in a major scale

Tonic to Tonic (same note) =

Tonic to Supertonic =

Tonic to Mediant =

Tonic to Subdominant =

Tonic to Dominant =

Tonic to Submediant =

Tonic to Leading Tone =

Tonic to Tonic (8va higher) =

 

These are the old “Rules” I told you about.  If it helps, use them.

 

Unisons and Octaves =   If both tones of the interval have the same accidental, unisons and octaves are perfect.

 

Fifths – If both tones of the interval have the same accidental, all fifths are perfect EXCEPT for the one above __________, which is diminished.

 

Fourths- If both tones of the interval have the same accidental, all fourths are perfect EXCEPT for the one above ____________, which is augmented.

 

Thirds – If both tones of the interval have the same accidental, the thirds above C F and G are major, the rest are minor

 

Sixths – If both tones of the interval have the same accidental, the sixths above C,D, F and G are major, the others  are minor.

 

Seconds – The seconds that consist of 2 half steps are major,  the ones that are only one half step are minor.  The two notes must not have the same letter name.

 

Sevenths – the seventh that is one half step smaller than a perfect octave is major.  The seventh that is one whole step or two half steps smaller than an octave is minor.

 

Inversion = the arithmetic sum of the names of the interval and its inversion is always nine.  To get the inversion, subtract the beginning interval’s number from 9.

The inversion of perfect intervals remains perfect.  The inversion of major intervals is minor and vice versa.  The inversion of a diminished interval is augmented and vice versa.

 

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