Twelve tones, or notes,
are the basis of our "system" of music. Those twelve tones are as follows:
C,
C# or Db, D,
D# or Eb, E,
F,
F#
or Gb, G,
G#
or Ab, A,
A#
or Bb, and B.
It is with these twelve tones that we are expected to create our entire
body of music. Luckily, however, we are blessed with an infinite number
of rhythmic devices to keep our music interesting (more on this later).
Moreover, the music we play and create can be enhanced by playing many
of these notes together as chords.
An interval can be defined
as the distance from one sound, or note, to another. For instance, I can
describe a low
E note as being one octave below the e
note found at the second fret of the 4th string and that would indicate
the difference, or distance, between the two tones. Listening to
both
notes simultaneously allows us to better hear the "quality" of an octave.
Here, in Real Audio, is an example of the use of octaves in the context
of a guitar solo, a jam excerpt entitled, Wishin' I was
Wes. (If you want to hear the "master of octaves" check out any of
Wes Montgomery's recordings).
A whole step is the
difference between the following pairs of notes:
Relating this to the guitar,
a whole step can be defined as a distance of two frets. In other words,
a whole step is the distance from the A note of the 5th fret of the 1st
string to the B note on the 7th fret of the 1st string.
A half step is the distance
from a note to its closest neighbor. B
to C is a half step. C to C#/Db is another
half step. On the guitar, it is a one fret difference up or down the neck.
The major third is an
interval comprised of two whole steps. An example is the relationship of
C
to E. Listen to this interval carefully and learn to recognize it by
singing it over and over again. Make it a part of your life. When you're
absolutely exhausted - stop, and then start singing it again. Click
here to learn more about thirds.
The minor third is an
interval made up of one whole step and a half step. C
to Eb would be an example of a minor third. You should become well
acquainted with the sound of a minor third. The ability to instantly recognize
it will be an invaluable tool. This bit of advice applies to the major
third as well. Click here to learn more
about thirds.
The fourth is an interval
comprised of two whole steps and a half step. C
to F is an interval of a fourth. Learn to recognize this interval!
The flatted fifth is
an interval of three steps. C
to Gb is a flatted 5th. This is my favorite interval.
The fifth is an interval
formulated by the combination of either a major third and a minor third
or a minor third and a major third. Alternatively it can be said that the
fifth is three and a half steps big. C
to G is an example of a 5th. Sing the fifth repeatedly to get to know
it. Click here to learn more about fifths.
The sixth is located
4 and one half steps above your root, or starting note. In the key of C,
and starting with the C note, that translates as follows: C to D = 1 step,
D to E = 1 step, E to F = 1/2 step, F to G = 1 step, and G to A = 1 step
(1 + 1 + 1/2 + 1 + 1 = 4 and 1/2 steps). From the perspective of the guitar,
the sixth is said to be 9 frets up from your starting note. In other words,
if the C note on the fifth string is located at the third fret of the fifth
string (which we know it is, don't we?), then the sixth, or A in this case,
will be found at the 12th fret (3 + 9 = 12). Well, you say, I'm dazed and
confused - whatta ya mean the sixth is 4 and one half steps above the root?
You see the reason the sixth is called a sixth is because it is the sixth
degree above your root. In other words, C = 1, D = 2, E = 3, F = 4, G =
5, and A = 6. But don't forget, in addition to this qualification, it must
be 4 and 1/2 steps above the root note.
The flat sixth is located
4 steps above the root, or starting note. `Nuff said.
The flat seventh is
located 5 steps above the root. It also can be said that the flat seventh
is comprised of a major third plus a minor third plus a minor third. If
we start with a G note in the key of C and go up a major third we find
ourselves looking dead in the eye at a B note. If we then go up a minor
third we find ourselves looking at a D note. And if we go up another minor
third, we find ourselves at the F. Again, `nuff said.
The major seventh is
located 5 and 1/2 steps above the root, or starting note. The major seventh
of C in the key of C is the B. Also, the major seventh can be thought of
as a major third plus a minor third plus a major third. In the key of C,
we can perform the following analysis: C to E (major third) + E to G (minor
third) + G to B (major third). This proves that C to B is a major seventh
interval.
The octave is, for most
people, one of the easiest intervals to identify which is why I discussed
it at the start of this page. In summary, an octave can be defined as twice
the pitch above a given note, or one half the pitch below a given note.
Please see the discussion of intervals for more information pertaining
to the octave.
