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Music Theory

Interval Academy

A learning path for musical intervals, from counting positions on the staff to a complete analysis.

1. The theory foundations

Distance (number)

Basic counting of lines and spaces on the staff.

Arrangement

Analysis of harmonic (vertical) and melodic (horizontal) intervals.

Direction

Identifying the direction of melodic motion.

Steps and leaps

Telling conjunct (stepwise) motion from disjunct motion (leaps).

Harmonic stability

Classifying intervals by tension (consonance vs dissonance).

Half steps and enharmonics

Recognizing the diatonic half step, the chromatic half step, the enharmonic note or the unison between two notes.

2. Practice by number

2nd Seconds 3rd Thirds 4th Fourths 5th Fifths 6th Sixths 7th Sevenths 8th Octaves

Choose your own intervals

Only 3rds and 5ths? From the 2nd to the 6th, which is as far as your class has gone? In the custom quiz you tick the intervals that appear and practice just those, on screen or on a printable sheet.

Open the custom interval quiz

The final challenge

Have you passed all the levels above? Prove it in the complete test: number, quality and arrangement at the same time.

Start the complete analysis

For working on paper

The same skills, without a screen: 26 A4 worksheets with 42 melodic intervals each (one interval at a time, or mixed by level, from 2nd and 3rd up to all seven together), plus a generator that makes new sheets, each with an answer key.

Go to the interval worksheets

To train your ear as well, use the reference tones of the online tuner and compare the sound of each interval with a pure tone. The online metronome helps you build sight-reading speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What interval exercises does this section include?
Exercises to identify the number (2nd to octave), the quality (major, minor, perfect, augmented, diminished), the direction (ascending or descending), the arrangement (harmonic or melodic), consonance or dissonance, half steps and enharmonic notes. There are also exercises to build intervals on the staff from the requested type.
How many types of musical intervals are there?
There are melodic intervals (notes in sequence, forming a melody) and harmonic intervals (notes at the same time, forming harmony). They are classified by number (2nd to octave) and by quality (perfect, major, minor, augmented, diminished).
How do you calculate the number of an interval?
Count the lines and spaces from the lower note to the upper note, including both. From C to G: C (1), D (2), E (3), F (4), G (5), so it is a 5th. Then count the half steps (UK: semitones) to find the quality.
In what order should you practice the interval exercises?
Start with the number of the interval, then its quality (by counting half steps), then consonance and dissonance, then direction and arrangement, and finally construction. Within each group, practice the simplest intervals first (2nds, 3rds) and move on to the more complex ones (7ths, augmented and diminished).
What is the difference between a diatonic and a chromatic half step?
A diatonic half step joins two notes with different letter names (E–F, B–C). A chromatic half step joins two notes with the same letter name and different accidentals (C–C♯, F–F♯). On the staff, the diatonic one occupies a new position, and the chromatic one stays on the same line or space.