How to Create an Interval Chart
An interval is the distance between two pitches or notes. Harmonic intervals happen when two pitches sound at the same time. Melodic intervals sound when one pitch follows another. Not everyone has perfect pitch; musicians of every caliber use interval charts to help them discern the correct intervals. Interval charts can be drawn in a word-processing or spreadsheet application, but perhaps the most convenient way (so that you can refer to them as you play) is on plain paper.
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Instructions
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Create three columns labeled "Interval," "Ascending" and "Descending."
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Write each interval in the "Intervals" column, including harmonic minors and majors. Relevant intervals might be unison, m2, M2, m3, M3, P4, tritone, P5, m6, M6, M7, and P8 (octave). Capital "M" means an interval of a major third, and capital "P" means "perfect."
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Write the title of songs for each interval in which the first two notes demonstrate that interval in ascending pattern (low to high). For example, for "-2 Ascending," you might choose the "Jaws" theme song.
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Write the title of songs for each interval in which the first two notes demonstrate that interval in a descending pattern (high to low). For example, for "-2 Descending," you might choose "Joy to the World." When you're finished filling out all three columns, you'll have your own interval chart.
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Tips & Warnings
Many interval charts already exist on the Web, so a quick search may help you fill in your chart with the right songs to get you started.
References
- Photo Credit music image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
