How to learn intervals by ear
An interval is the distance between two notes. Learning to recognise intervals is one of the core skills of relative pitch: it's how musicians work out melodies by ear. Most people start by linking each interval to the opening of a song they know, then gradually hear the interval itself.
| Interval | Semitones | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Minor 2nd | 1 | tense, close |
| Major 3rd | 4 | bright, major |
| Perfect 4th | 5 | open, a call |
| Tritone | 6 | unsettled |
| Perfect 5th | 7 | hollow, strong |
| Octave | 12 | the same note, higher |
Rising, falling and harmonic (played together) intervals each sound different, so it pays to practise all three. A few minutes a day beats an hour once a week.
Questions
What's the easiest way to learn intervals?
Link each one to a song you know well, then practise daily until you recognise the sound without the song.
Why are falling intervals harder?
Most songs we use as reference rise, and our ear is less used to judging falling distances. Practise them separately.
How long does it take?
Most people can name the common intervals reliably after a few weeks of short daily practice.
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