Understanding Intervals in Music with Popular Examples

Intervals are an essential concept in music theory that define the distance between two notes. Understanding intervals is crucial for musicians as it helps them recognize and recreate melodies, chords, and harmonies accurately. In this video lesson, BobbyCrispy explores different intervals and their musical examples.

Video: Exploring Intervals

Types of Intervals

1. Minor Second

• Song Examples:
• "Jaws" theme

2. Major Second

• Song Examples:
• "Happy Birthday"

3. Minor Third

• Song Examples:
• "A Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin
• "Flight of the Valkyries"

4. Major Third

• Song Examples:
• "Search Symphony Number One" by Beethoven
• "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" by The Beatles

5. Perfect Fourth

• Song Examples:
• "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
• "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

6. Tritone

• Song Examples:
• "Master of Puppets" by Metallica
• "Black Sabbath" by Black Sabbath

7. Perfect Fifth

• Song Examples:
• "Star Wars" theme
• The intro to "One" by Metallica

8. Minor Sixth

• Song Examples:
• "In My Life" by The Beatles
• "The Entertainer"

9. Major Sixth

• Song Examples:
• "Star Wars" theme
• "My Bonnie"

10. Minor Seventh

• Song Examples:
• The theme from the 1960s TV show "Star Trek"

11. Major Seventh

• Song Examples:
• "Take On Me" by A-ha
• The intro to "One" by Metallica

12. Octave

• Song Examples:
• "Over the Rainbow"
• "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic

Exploring Intervals in One Key

In this part of the video, Bobby demonstrates how each interval sounds within a specific key. Here are the intervals played on a guitar in the key of D:

Intervals in the Key of D:

• Minor Second: First fret
• Major Second: Second fret
• Minor Third: Third fret
• Major Third: Fourth fret
• Perfect Fourth: Fifth fret
• Tritone: Sixth fret
• Perfect Fifth: Seventh fret
• Minor Sixth: Eighth fret
• Major Sixth: Ninth fret
• Minor Seventh: Tenth fret
• Major Seventh: Eleventh fret
• Octave: Twelfth fret

Understanding intervals is an important skill for musicians of all levels. By recognizing and internalizing different intervals, musicians can enhance their musical ear, improve their playing, and compose harmonically rich music. We hope this video lesson has provided you with a solid foundation in understanding intervals in music.