Interval Reference & Song Mnemonics
| Interval | Semitones | Sounds like (ascending) |
|---|---|---|
| Minor 2nd (m2) | 1 | Jaws theme |
| Major 2nd (M2) | 2 | Happy Birthday (first two notes) |
| Minor 3rd (m3) | 3 | Greensleeves |
| Major 3rd (M3) | 4 | Oh When the Saints |
| Perfect 4th (P4) | 5 | Here Comes the Bride |
| Tritone (TT) | 6 | The Simpsons theme |
| Perfect 5th (P5) | 7 | Star Wars theme |
| Minor 6th (m6) | 8 | The Entertainer (3rd & 4th notes) |
| Major 6th (M6) | 9 | My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean |
| Minor 7th (m7) | 10 | Star Trek (original) theme |
| Major 7th (M7) | 11 | Take On Me (chorus leap) |
| Octave (P8) | 12 | Somewhere Over the Rainbow |
Interval Training FAQ
What is interval ear training?
Interval ear training is learning to recognize the distance between two notes by sound alone. It is the foundation of playing by ear, transcribing music, sight-singing, and improvising - once you can name intervals instantly, melodies stop being mysterious sequences and become patterns you can reproduce.
What is the fastest way to learn intervals?
Anchor each interval to a song you already know - the first two notes of "Here Comes the Bride" are a perfect 4th, the Star Wars theme opens with a perfect 5th. Drill a small set (start with m3, M3, P4, P5) in quiz mode until you are above 90%, then add intervals one at a time.
Should I practice ascending, descending, or harmonic intervals?
Start with ascending - they are the easiest to match against song mnemonics. Add descending next (they sound surprisingly different), and finish with harmonic intervals (both notes together), which train the chord-recognition skill used in transcribing harmony.
How long does it take to learn all the intervals?
With 10-15 minutes of daily practice most people can reliably identify all 12 common intervals ascending within 3-6 weeks. Descending and harmonic recognition take a few weeks more. Short daily sessions beat long weekly ones - ear training is skill consolidation, and sleep does half the work.
What is a tritone?
The tritone is the interval of 6 semitones - exactly half an octave - sitting between the perfect 4th and perfect 5th. Its unstable, unsettling sound earned it the medieval nickname "diabolus in musica" (the devil in music). You can hear it at the start of The Simpsons theme.