An interval is the distance in pitch between two notes (e.g. a 5th).

A semitone is the smallest interval in most Western music (e.g. C to C#).

A tone (also called a major second) is an interval of two semitones (e.g. C to D).

Which of these is a large interval, and which is a small interval? Clip 1

Which of these is a large interval, and which is a small interval? Clip 2

Listen again to this interval

Tone

Semitone

Minor third

Major third

Listen to this interval, sing it back, then compare it to the references.

Semitone reference

Tone reference

Minor third reference

Major third reference

Check - clip 1

Check - clip 2

Here Comes the Bride

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Jingle Bells verse

‘Unusual’ sounding interval

Happy Birthday (big jump)

Listen to the interval, sing the notes back, then compare it to the references

Fourth reference

Fifth reference

Sixth reference

Seventh reference

Octave reference

Descending 4th

Task A Q.1

Task A Q.2

Task A Q.3

Task A Q.4

This interval is a 5th

This is a descending interval

This is another descending interval

What is the next note?

Task B Q.3 A

Task B Q.3 B

Task B Q.3 C

Identifying intervals

Music

Identifying rhythms

More complex rhythmic dictation

Identifying melodic shape

Developing pitch dictation skills

Listening: dictation

Which reference melody could we use to identify a fifth?

Which reference melody could we use to identify a tone?

Which reference melody could we use to identify a fourth?

Which of these is an example of an interval?

A conjunct melody can only use semitones and __________.

Which is larger – a tone or a semitone?

Which two of these intervals could be included in a disjunct melody?

LESS-LBYIY-R8812-identifying-intervals-v3

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Identifying intervals

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.