An interval is the tonal distance between two notes. This distance is measured in
steps. Each interval has a name. For instance, in the key of C major the distance
between C and E is two whole steps. This interval is called a
major third
because it ends on the third note of a major scale.
Conversely, the distance between D and F is one-and-a-half steps. This interval
is called a
minor third
because it ends on the third note of a minor scale, or
mode.
Major Scale
w
h
C
w
w
h
w
w
D
E
F
G
A
B C
{
2 steps = Major 3rd
C Major Scale
Cmaj7
Cdom7
Cmin7
w
h
C
w
w
h
w
w
D
E
F
G
A
B C
{
5½ steps = Major 7th
C Mixolydian
5th mode of F major
w
h
C
w
w
h
w
w
D
E
F
G
A B<
C
{
5 steps = Minor 7th
C Natural Minor
derived from the 6th
mode of E< major.
w
h
C
w
w
h
w
w
D E<
F
G A<
B<
C
{
1½ steps = Minor 3rd
D
w
w
h
w
w
w
h
D
E
F
G
A
B C
Dorian Mode
7.
Intervals
Major & Minor Scales
Intervals that create some confusion are the major 7th, dominant 7th, and minor
7th. This is because the chords that include them, like the Cmaj7, Cm7, and
Cdom7 (C7), look very similar. However, Cmaj7 is a four-note chord derived
from the C major scale with its major 7th interval. On the other hand, Cdom7
(C7) and Cmin7, with their minor 7th interval, are derived from the mixolydian
mode and natural minor, respectively.
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