The word "interval" is used in several meanings. In music, intervals are harmonies consisting of two sounds. The distance between them can be different. There are simple and compound intervals, increased and decreased (characteristic, newts), consonant and dissonant, as well as melodic and harmonic. This will be discussed further.
Meaning of the word
Many researchers note that intervals are certain intervals, distances between something or breaks. So, for example, it can be a certain distance between military units or rows of troops. Also, this word characterizes the period of time.
In music, intervals are proportions in the pitch of two sounds. They can be taken alternately. Such intervals are called melodic. If sounds are taken simultaneously, then their names are harmonic.
Music intervals
As mentioned above, intervals are consonances that consist of two sounds (two levels of fret). The distance between them can be different. From one step to fifteen. The top sound of the interval is called the top, and the bottom is called the base. There are melodic and harmonic, consonant and dissonant, simple and compound, enlarged and reduced (newts, characteristic).
The interval consists of two quantities: the first is tone, the second is step. The tone value determines how many tones are in a particular interval. So, for example, in the example - zero tones, in a large second - one tone, in a small third - one and a half tones and so on. The step value makes it clear how many steps this or that interval covers. So, for example, in a quart - four steps, regardless of whether it is clean, increased or decreased. That is, the tonal quantity is already affecting here. If the quart is clean, then it should have four steps and 2.5 tones. If the quart is reduced, then there are four steps, but there will already be two tones. Accordingly, in an enlarged quart the same number of steps, but three tones. We speak repeatedly about tone and half tone. Let us dwell in more detail on these concepts.
Tone and Halftone
Tone - the distance between two adjacent sounds, consists of two half-tones. Consider them exclusively on white keys. These are the sounds: do - re, la - si, re - mi, salt - la, fa - salt. Many teachers, explaining this topic to children, indicate that if there is a black key between two white keys, then this is a tone, and if there is no black key, then it is a semitone.
In music, a semitone is the smallest distance between two adjacent sounds. These are the remaining sounds: si-do and mi-fa.
Tones and midtones are built not only on white keys, but also in interaction with black ones. So, for example, si - C sharp and E - F sharp - this is already the tone. And here: re - E-flat, do - D-flat, A - B flat, sharp salt - A, F sharp - salt (and so on) - these are half-tones.
Simple intervals
Not more than one octave. There are only eight of them. It:
- Prima. Covers one step and contains zero tones.
- A second is an interval that consists of two steps. It happens big and small. In the big second, one tone, in the small - half a tone.
- Third. Covers three steps. Just like a second, it is small and large. Small contains one and a half tones, and large - two.
- Quart. In this interval, two and a half tones and four steps. It happens only clean.
- Quint. It covers five steps and contains three and a half tones. Just like a quart, it is clean. However, if there are three tones and four steps in a quart, then this is an enlarged quart. If the quint has the same number of tones and five steps, then this is a reduced fifth. Such intervals are also called newts.
- Sixth consists of six steps. A large sixth contains four and a half tones. Small - four tones.
- Septima spans seven steps. Lesser septima consists of five tones. Big - out of five and a half.
- Octave consists of eight steps. It happens only clean. Contains six tones.
Compound intervals
A musical instrument for beginners contains information not only about simple intervals, but also about composite ones. These are intervals that are more than one octave.
- Nona - consists of nine steps. Simply put, this is a second through an octave.
- Decima - contains ten steps. Accordingly, this is a third after an octave.
- Undecima - consists of eleven steps. To build it, from this sound you need to rise a quart through an octave.
- Duodecima - covers twelve steps. This is the fifth after an octave.
- Terzdetsima - contains thirteen steps. Accordingly, this is a sixth through one octave.
- Quartdetsima - consists of fourteen steps. To build it, you need to rise to a septima through an octave from a certain sound.
- Quintdecime - covers fifteen steps. This is a double octave.
After quintec decimals, the intervals have no names.
Interval handling
Each musical instrument for beginners contains information not only about intervals, but also about their treatment. And this, in fact, is the transfer of the base (lower sound) one octave up or the top (upper sound) one octave down. In this case, the lower and upper sounds are interchanged.
Pure prima turns into a pure octave. A small second turns into a large septima. A large second becomes a small septim.
Small third turns into a large sextus. A large third passes into a small sextus. A pure quart is converted into a pure fifth (and vice versa).
That is, the pure ones turn into the pure ones, the small ones turn into the large ones (and vice versa), the increased ones - into the reduced ones (and vice versa).
Consonance and Dissonance
In their sound, all harmonic intervals are of two types: consonant and dissonant.
Consonance is a consonant and sound-friendly sound. It is associated with a calm state, it is characterized by a lack of aspirations. Consonating intervals are divided into:
- A very perfect consonance is pure octave and pure prima.
- The perfect consonance is the fifth and fourth.
- Imperfect consonance - small third and sixth, large third and sixth.
Dissonance is the antagonism of consonance. By ear, this is a sharper sound, inconsistent. The sound of dissonance in music is widely used in order to convey various human feelings: anxiety, tension, excitement. Dissonances, like these excited feelings, require binding resolution. That is, they all strive for consensus. Among the dissonant intervals, it is worth noting: small and large second and septima, newts, characteristic intervals.
Intervals of monotony
Music has an amazing ability to own our psychological state. Everything is abstract in it. The human mind in the entire stream of sounds recognizes emotions and feelings, an inherent idea. Musical fabric is woven from tonal distances between sounds and chords. Many have heard about concepts such as gamma, fifth circle, modulation, and so on. However, not everyone knows what the intervals of monotony are.
Marina Korsakova-Crane (neuropsychologist) conducted a series of experiments to identify the reaction of listeners to this or that music.
The essence of the first experiment was to study the human reaction to various distances in all sorts of keys and frets. For another experiment, a major scale was chosen and short and monotonous sequences were written. Monotony was necessary in order for the listeners to concentrate on the intuitive sensation of distances in tonal space. For the second experiment, the simplest chord chains were used, as well as episodes of classical and romantic music.
Thus, this topic is carefully considered in solfeggio classes. Intervals have several meanings. This: a time period, any distance, as well as a break. In music, the interval refers to the distance between two sounds, which can be completely different. There are simple and compound intervals, increased and decreased (characteristic, newts), consonant and dissonant, as well as melodic and harmonic. Simple intervals are within one octave. Compound intervals extend beyond the octave. Consonant intervals have a pleasant sound. Dissonants sound harsh and require permission.