Music class at the EarMaster college - Week 37
Intervals are the most fundamental part of ear training. All harmonies or melodies can be considered as a collection of intervals. An interval is the distance in pitch between two tones. It is labeled by its numerical value and its quality. The numerical value indicates the number of tones of the diatonic scale it includes.
In the staff above, the diatonic tones are shown (i.e. the white keys of the piano) and they are numbered after their position in the C-major scale. C=1, D=2, E=3 etc. Examples of interval naming: The interval from C (1) to D (2) is a "Second" because it includes two tones, the interval from C (1) to E (3) and the interval from E (3) to G (5) are both a "Third" because they include three diatonic tones.
In EarMaster you can hear the intervals in the Interval identification exercise when you right-click on the button with the interval name on it. In the Week37 lessons this is only possible in the "practice" lesson, while in the test this feature is disabled.
How to identify the intervals?A simple way to identify an interval is to connect it with the opening of a well known song. For example the song "Amazing grace" begins with a perfect fourth. So, when you hear an interval that sounds like the beginning of Amazing grace, you know it is a perfect fourth. You can find examples of songs that begin with each interval in the “Template melody” section below. It is, however, important that you, as soon as you can, try to make the direct connection between the interval sound and the interval name - without thinking of a melody every time. Because later, when you reach a more advanced level, it will be very confusing to mix another melody into the music you are currently working with.
Template melodies
Here are examples of melodies that begin with the intervals found in the Week37
lessons. This is only for inspiration; maybe there are other songs you know
better:
| Major 2nd | Happy birthday Strangers in the night Major scale (ascending) |
| Major 3rd | Morning has broken Oh, when the Saints Major triad |
| Perfect 4th | Amazing grace Love me tender We wish you a merry Christmas |
| Perfect 5th | Twinkle twinkle little star Wise men say (Can't help falling in love) |
The lessons
There are two lessons in the Week37 tutor. Both lessons work with the intervals
2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. The first lesson is a training lesson and the second
lesson is a test. Use the training lesson until you feel confident with the
intervals, and then move on to complete the test. If the test result was not so
good, you can go back to the training lesson to improve and take the test again
later.
- Download the Week37 lessons here.
(you must have EarMaster Pro or EarMaster School on your computer to open the file - you can download the trial versions here) - Open the lessons with EarMaster and work with the lessons.
- When you are done with the lessons, choose the Email results and lessons function (in the File - Export menu), and email your results back to me.
Good luck!