Lesson 3.7 - Intervals (Major, Minor and Perfect)

Workbook (NEW for 2021) with answers HERE

Or download a printable worksheet with answers

as a member of MusicOnline UK

for this lesson HERE

Previously you had to write the interval number between two notes. For example 3rd, 4th, 5th etc. Now you will also have to state what type of 3rd, 4th or 5th the interval is.

First of all consider all the intervals that occur between the tonic as the lower note and all the other notes of a major scale

Notice that the 4th, 5th and Octave are called "perfect" - this is because they are the same in major and minor scales.

The only other intervals you need to consider for now are the minor
3rd, minor 6th and minor 7th. Compare these to their major equivalents.

It is easy to see from the above that a minor interval is always a semitone smaller than a major interval.

For example - 

• C to E is a major third, 
• C to E flat is a minor third

So to work out any interval, simply think of the major scale of the lowest note. If the higher note is in that major scale, for 2nds, 3rds, 6ths and 7ths, then the interval is MAJOR. If it is a semitone smaller it is MINOR.

Remember - there is no such thing as a major or minor 4th, 5th or octave.