Music Interval Calculator
Category: MusicCalculate, analyze, and listen to musical intervals. This calculator helps you identify intervals between notes, understand their harmonic relationships, and explore their use in musical compositions.
Enter Notes
Analysis Options
Common Intervals
Understanding Musical Intervals
What is a Musical Interval?
A musical interval is the difference in pitch between two notes. Intervals are the building blocks of melody and harmony in music. They are named based on two properties:
- Quality: Perfect, Major, Minor, Augmented, or Diminished
- Number: The count of staff positions from one note to another (1=Unison, 2=Second, etc.)
Interval Types
Intervals are classified by their harmonic quality:
- Perfect Intervals: Unison (P1), Fourth (P4), Fifth (P5), and Octave (P8)
- Major/Minor Intervals: Seconds (M2/m2), Thirds (M3/m3), Sixths (M6/m6), and Sevenths (M7/m7)
- Augmented/Diminished: When perfect intervals are raised/lowered a semitone, or major intervals are raised or minor intervals are lowered
Consonance and Dissonance
Intervals can be categorized by how they sound together:
- Perfect Consonance: Unison, Octave, Perfect Fifth
- Imperfect Consonance: Major and Minor Thirds and Sixths
- Dissonance: Seconds, Sevenths, Tritone (Augmented Fourth/Diminished Fifth)
In musical contexts, consonant intervals sound stable and resolved, while dissonant intervals create tension that typically seeks resolution.
Interval Inversion
When you invert an interval, you move the lower note up an octave (or the higher note down an octave). Interval inversions follow these rules:
- The number of the inverted interval = 9 - original interval number
- Perfect intervals remain perfect when inverted
- Major intervals become minor when inverted (and vice versa)
- Augmented intervals become diminished when inverted (and vice versa)
Tuning Systems
Different tuning systems define intervals slightly differently:
- Equal Temperament: Each semitone is exactly the same size (100 cents). This is the standard modern tuning but creates slight deviations from pure ratios.
- Just Intonation: Intervals are based on simple whole-number ratios, giving pure consonances but varying semitone sizes.
- Pythagorean Tuning: Based on perfect fifths (3:2 ratio), giving pure perfect intervals but problematic thirds.
What’s the Music Interval Calculator?
The Music Interval Calculator is a handy tool designed for musicians and music lovers. This calculator helps you calculate, analyse, and even listen to musical intervals between notes. Whether you want to identify the space between two notes or explore their harmonic relationships, this calculator is your go-to resource. It’s perfect for composers, students, and anyone keen on understanding music better.
How to Input Notes
Using the calculator is simple. You can enter two notes to find their interval. The first note and second note can be selected from dropdown menus featuring all musical notes. You also have options to choose the octave for each note. This flexibility allows you to calculate intervals in various musical contexts, helping to fit your specific needs.
Fascinating Features of the Calculator
- Play the notes as you calculate, allowing for an immediate auditory experience.
- Show enharmonic equivalents, which helps in understanding notes that sound the same but are written differently.
- Choose your preferred tuning system, whether it’s Equal Temperament, Just Intonation, or Pythagorean tuning.
Diving into Interval Analysis
Once you enter your notes, the calculator provides a detailed analysis of the interval. You’ll see the interval name, how many semitones it contains, and even the frequency ratio. This breakdown helps musicians grasp the mathematical and auditory nature of music, making it an educational experience.
Visualizing Intervals on the Piano
This calculator offers an interactive piano visualization. You can see how the interval looks on a piano keyboard, which can be particularly helpful for beginners. Understanding how notes relate to one another visually can reinforce the learning process, making music theory more tangible.
Understanding Enhance Harmonics
In addition to interval analysis, the calculator can show enharmonic equivalents. This means you can see different names for the same pitch, like C♯ and D♭. Recognizing these equivalents is essential for playing in different musical styles and genres, making it a valuable feature for musicians.
Learning About Musical Theory
The Music Interval Calculator also serves as a gateway to learning about musical theory. It provides context about intervals, their qualities, and how they contribute to harmony and melody. Whether you’re a music student or a curious listener, this information enriches your understanding of the music you love.
Getting Started with Musical Intervals
Using the Music Interval Calculator is a great way to kickstart your journey into music. You can experiment with different notes, intervals, and tunings, all while gaining a deeper appreciation for the art of music. Whether you're composing, practicing, or just exploring, this calculator opens up a world of musical possibilities.