Definition

1. Noun:
   • The difference in pitch between two notes: A "musical interval" is the measure of the pitch distance or separation between two distinct musical tones. It is a fundamental concept in music theory, describing the relationship between notes in terms of their relative highness or lowness.

Usage

• The term "musical interval" is used to describe, analyze, and name the pitch relationships within melodies and harmonies.
• It is typically quantified by counting the number of letter names (e.g., C to G is a fifth) and qualified by terms like "perfect," "major," "minor," "augmented," or "diminished" based on the exact number of semitones (half steps).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The opening melody of the song features a wide musical interval, a perfect fifth, which gives it a strong, open sound.
  • To tune the guitar correctly, you must learn to recognize the musical interval of a perfect fourth between the strings.
  • The composer used a dissonant musical interval, the minor second, to create a sense of tension in the passage.

Advanced Usage

• "To invert an interval": To take the lower note of a musical interval and move it an octave higher (or the higher note an octave lower), which changes its type (e.g., a major third inverts to a minor sixth).
• "Compound interval": A musical interval that spans more than one octave (e.g., a ninth, a tenth).
• "Harmonic interval": A musical interval where the two notes are sounded simultaneously.
• "Melodic interval": A musical interval where the two notes are sounded in succession.

Variants and Related Words

• Interval (n): In a general, non-musical context, this means a period of time or a space between things. In music, it is often used synonymously with "musical interval."
• Semitone/Half step (n): The smallest musical interval commonly used in Western music (e.g., the interval from C to C#).
• Whole step/Whole tone (n): A musical interval equal to two semitones (e.g., the interval from C to D).

Synonyms

• Pitch interval: A less common but precise synonym.
• Step (in specific contexts like "whole step" or "half step"): Refers to specific, small intervals.

Related Phrases

• "Interval of a [number]": The standard phrasing for naming an interval (e.g., interval of a third, interval of a seventh).
• "To identify/sing/play an interval": Common collocations describing the action of recognizing or producing a specific musical interval.

Noun

1. the difference in pitch between two notes