INTERVALS

intervals are what we call the distance between notes in scales and
chords. Each interval has a different sound and plays a vital part in
the construction of scales. The major scale is built on intervals that
you hear when you play the scale from start to finish lets look at
these intervals now.

Start here
and play all
the white
notes

Finish here

Here is the C major scale the blue and red notes show us the start
and end of the scale, this is also a interval called a perfect octave
which is the same note played lower or higher at the same time or
one after another.

MAJOR SECOND INTERVAL

Play this C
note first

the blue note is our C note the red note is a D note when these
notes are play together or one after another it is called a major
second interval.

MAJOR THIRD INTERVAL

Play this C
note first

the blue note is our C note the red note is an E note when these
notes are played together or one after another it is called a major
third interval.

PERFECT FOURTH INTERVAL

Play this C
note first

the blue note is our C note the red note is an F note when these
notes are played together or one after another it is called a perfect
fourth interval.
PERFECT FIFTH INTERVAL

Play this C
note first

the blue note is our C note the red note is a G note when these
notes are played together or one after another it is called a perfect
fifth interval.

MAJOR SIXTH INTERVAL

Play this C
note first

the blue note is our C note the red note is an A note when these
notes are played together or one after another it is called a major
sixth interval.
MAJOR SEVENTH INTERVAL

Play this C
note first

the blue note is our C note the red note is a B note when these
notes are played together or one after another it is called a perfect
seventh interval.
PERFECT OCTAVE

Play this C
note first

the blue note is our C note the red note is also a C note when these
notes are played together or one after another it is called a perfect
octave.

IMPORTANT NOTES AND KEY POINTS

we now know all of the intervals used in a major scale and just
like the tone formula this applies to every major scale so
memorize it and apply It to different notes

C to D

Major
second

1st to 2nd

C to E

Major
third

1st to 3rd

C to F

Perfect
fourth

1st to 4th

C to G

Perfect
fifth

1st to 5th

C to A

Major
sixth

1st to 6th

C to B

Major
seventh

1st to 7th

C to C

Perfect
octave

1st to 8th

This table shows all of the intervals in a major scale it also shows us
the numbers of the notes. With scales we number the notes in
numerical order so the start note is 1 the last note is 8.
USEFUL TIP

in a major scale the 1st , 4th , 5th and 8th intervals will always be
perfect and the 2nd , 3rd , 6th and 7th will always be major. If you
can remember this simple rule you will never get lost with
major scales ever again.