What is an interval?

What is an interval?

• A. The distance between any two pitches
• B. The set of notes in a scale
• C. The time between notes in a rhythm
• D. The key signature of a scale

Answer: (A)

An interval is the distance between two pitches. It’s described by how many letter names you move through (for example, C to E spans a third) and by how many semitones separate the pitches (a major third has four semitones, a minor third three). Intervals are named by size—second, third, fourth, and so on—and by quality—perfect, major, minor, diminished, augmented. This idea underpins both melody and harmony, since the same pair of notes can sound very different depending on the interval between them. The other choices point to different musical concepts—set of notes in a scale, time between notes in rhythm, or the key signature—not the distance between two pitches.

An interval is the distance between two pitches. It’s described by how many letter names you move through (for example, C to E spans a third) and by how many semitones separate the pitches (a major third has four semitones, a minor third three). Intervals are named by size—second, third, fourth, and so on—and by quality—perfect, major, minor, diminished, augmented. This idea underpins both melody and harmony, since the same pair of notes can sound very different depending on the interval between them. The other choices point to different musical concepts—set of notes in a scale, time between notes in rhythm, or the key signature—not the distance between two pitches.