Simple & Compound Intervals
Intervals smaller and larger than an octave.
Simple Intervals
Simple intervals are those that are an octave or smaller (e.g., 2nds, 3rds, 5ths).
Compound Intervals
Compound intervals are larger than an octave (e.g., 9ths, 11ths, 13ths) and can be analyzed as simple intervals plus an octave.
Texture and Spacing
Understanding compound intervals helps in orchestrating chords and spreading voices for open textures.