Before we jump in to intervals let’s pause and get an understanding of where this is headed.
We’ve already learned our note names (lesson 4). We will now be learning about intervals. We will then apply what we learn about intervals to understanding scales and chords. Once we’ve mastered scales and chords we will learn about chord progressions.
On to intervals! An interval refers to the relationship between any two notes.
As you work through this lesson pay close attention to how each relationship sounds.
Intervals serve as the foundation for music analysis. For example, play me a C major chord. You’ve got the shape memorized but how do we know the chord we played is in fact a major chord. We analyze the notes in terms of intervals: Root (C), Major 3rd (E), and a perfect 5th (G). We’ll come back to analyzing chords in another lesson.
There are 12 notes and thus 12 interval relationships for us to learn.
I’ve underscored three intervals that we will use as reference points (Root, Perfect 5th, Octave.
Let’s start with our Root note on A (5th fret of the low E). From here we will identify the minor 2nd, major 2nd, Minor 3rd, and Major 3rd
Video 1: Root note, minor 2nd, major 2nd, minor 3rd, major 3rd
Next lets learn our Perfect 4th, Tritone, Perfect 5th, Minor 6th, and Major 6th.
I’ll have you start with your Root note “A” and a Perfect 5th. you might remember shape from the lesson on power chords. From there lets work backwards and identify our Tritone (notice the dissonance) and then Perfect 4th.
Lets come back to the Perfect 5th. Now let’s go forward to identify first the minor 6th and then the Major 6th.
Video 2: Perfect 4th, Tritone, Perfect 5th, Minor 6th, Major 6th
Next, I’ll have you identify the Octave. This should feel familiar from the octave pattern lesson. From the octave, work backwards to the Major 7th and then the minor 7th.
Those are the intervals!
Last, apply these patterns across the fretboard.
Play me a “G” and a perfect 4th.
Play me an F# and a Tritone
These patterns also apply to the A string.
Play me B and a minor 6th.
Play me a Bb and a major 7th
Keep going! Identify the root note name and play the intervals. Once again, pay close attention to how each relationship sounds.
Happy practice!
Lesson 5.1: Fingering options for 3rd intervals
Video lesson available to subscribers.