Intervals: Definition & Types
The fundamental unit of melody and harmony.
In music, an interval is simply the distance in pitch between two notes. Just as we measure physical distance in meters or feet, we measure musical distance in intervals based on the letter names of the notes.
When two notes are played one after the other, like in a melody, the distance between them is a Melodic Interval. These create the 'lines' and 'shapes' of music.
When two notes are played at the exact same time, they create a Harmonic Interval. This is the building block of chords and harmony, creating texture and depth.
Whether horizontal (melodic) or vertical (harmonic), identifying intervals is the first step to understanding how notes relate to each other.