Intervals
Major Minor Perfect Augmented Diminished
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
The above table illustrates which intervals can be described by which term. A blue box demonstrates a
possible interval and a black box identifies one that cannot exist. Eg. 2nds can be major, minor,
augmented, or diminished but NOT perfect.
The reason that 4ths and 5ths cannot be major or minor is that in both the major and minor scales they are
the same distance apart; only when the interval is augmented or diminished does the distance change.
For example in C major the notes are: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.
In C Minor the notes are: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C.
As you can see, the 4th and 5th (shown in bold) above the tonic (C) are the same in both the major and
minor scale.
This table can help if you find it easier to count the distance between your intervals in semitones
Interval Semitones between the two notes (including
TOP but not BOTTOM note)
Minor 2nd 1
Major 2nd 2
Augmented 2nd 3
Diminished 3rd 2
Minor 3rd 3
Major 3rd 4
Augmented 3rd 5
Diminished 4th 4
Perfect 4th 5
Augmented 4th 6
Diminished 5th 6
Major Minor Perfect Augmented Diminished
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
The above table illustrates which intervals can be described by which term. A blue box demonstrates a
possible interval and a black box identifies one that cannot exist. Eg. 2nds can be major, minor,
augmented, or diminished but NOT perfect.
The reason that 4ths and 5ths cannot be major or minor is that in both the major and minor scales they are
the same distance apart; only when the interval is augmented or diminished does the distance change.
For example in C major the notes are: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.
In C Minor the notes are: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C.
As you can see, the 4th and 5th (shown in bold) above the tonic (C) are the same in both the major and
minor scale.
This table can help if you find it easier to count the distance between your intervals in semitones
Interval Semitones between the two notes (including
TOP but not BOTTOM note)
Minor 2nd 1
Major 2nd 2
Augmented 2nd 3
Diminished 3rd 2
Minor 3rd 3
Major 3rd 4
Augmented 3rd 5
Diminished 4th 4
Perfect 4th 5
Augmented 4th 6
Diminished 5th 6
