Quote:
Originally Posted by luderart
Thanks for the clear and insightful explanations.
I have the following questions:
1) Are intervals independent of scales? Are they minor or major regardless of the scales on which they exist?
2) Are intervals designated as major, minor, diminished or augmented strictly according to the total of the whole tones and half tones they contain and not according to any pattern of whole-tone half-tone steps? For example C to F is a perfect fourth and E to A is a perfect fourth?
3) Only the perfect intervals become diminished or augmented? The others are only either major or minor?
3) I couldn't open the Finale attachment. I have the Finale NotePad 2001 version. Do I need to download something else?
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1) Using the C Major scale as an example, if you take a look at it you will notice that the scale is comprised of various types of intervals.
C-D-E-F-G-A-B
From C to D is a Major 2nd
From D to E is a Major 2nd
But, From E to F is a half step and therfore a minor 2nd.
Also, From C to E is a Major 3rd
But, from E to G is a minor thrid
An interval is just the distance between any two notes. Therefore, it is the arrangement of intervals that make-up or create the scale and not the other way around.
2) Right. As I mentioned in the answer to your first question, its all about the distance between any two notes and that distance is measured in half and whole steps. So, from C to F is a Perfect 4th becuase the distance between the two notes adds up to a total of 2 Whole steps and 1 Half step. The same is true about E to A. E to A is also a Perfect fourth because if you count up the number of Half and Whole steps from the note E up to A you will see that it also comes to a total of 2 Whole steps and 1 Half step.
3) When a perfect interval is inverted it will still remain perfect. The only thing that changes is whether or not its a 4th or a 5th. For example, From C to F is a Perfect 4th because it has 2 Whole steps and 1 Half step. If we invert the two notes so that we are now going from F to C you will notice that after counting the number of whole and half steps will give you a perfect 5th. 4ths and 5ths (Octaves and Unisons as well) are the only intervals that can be perfect.
4) You can download a free version of Finale Notepad 2007 here:
NotePad