Major, minor and perfect · Intervals · Music theory
The number is not enough: C–E and E–G are both thirds, but the first spans two whole steps and the second a step and a half. The quality says exactly how…
Major, minor and perfect
The number is not enough: C–E and E–G are both thirds, but the first spans two whole steps and the second a step and a half. The quality says exactly how many half steps there are.
2nds, 3rds, 6ths and 7ths can be major or minor, and the minor one is a half step smaller than the major. The unison, 4th, 5th and octave are neither major nor minor: in their normal form they are called perfect.
One reference is worth knowing by heart: from the tonic of a major scale, all its notes form major or perfect intervals. And these are the half steps in each one.
The natural intervals, by heart
Among notes without accidentals there are very few exceptions, and knowing them saves nearly all the calculation. Any other interval follows from them by adding accidentals.
Recognizing them by ear
A classic aid is to link each interval to the opening of a familiar melody. It is useful at first; in time, it is better to hear the interval by its own color, without relying on the song.