Fundamentals
of
Music Theory

Generic Intervals

Fundamentals Home

Topics

Half and Whole Steps
Scales
Generic Intervals
Perfect Interval Group
Major/minor Interval Group
More on Intervals
Keys
Triads
Triad Inversion
Seventh Chords

Fundamentals Exams

Site Map

About Scott Perkins

About Greg Ristow

Interval Quality

Diatonic half steps and whole steps are both seconds. But, as you know, they are not the same size. To account for intervals with the same generic name of different sizes, we give intervals a specific name or quality. Our diatonic half step and whole step now become a minor second and a Major second.

Half Step
minor second

Whole Step
Major second

Compare the scales below, and click on the notes that are different between them.

F Major Scale

F minor Scale
(natural)

Because the interval from tonic to these notes is different in Major and minor scales, we label the qualities of these intervals as either Major or minor. These three intervals, along with the 2nd, form the Major/minor group of intervals. The remaining intervals, which stay the same no matter what mode is used, form the Perfect group.

Perfect Intervals

Major/minor Intervals

Prime, 4th, 5th, Octave

2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th

Study the grouping above, then test your memory. Which group do the following intervals fall into? The perfect group (P), or the Major/minor group (M/m)?

P M/m

P M/m

P M/m

P M/m

P M/m

P M/m

P M/m

P M/m

P M/m

Next Section: Perfect Interval Group