Steve's Spinal Column #19

The Full Sticktet

INTERVALS

An interval is simply the distance between any two notes. Like an inch or a meter in physical distance, these intervals are used to depict how far a tone is from another, sonically, which in turn will lead to building other useful musical tools.

The smallest interval (aside from micro-tones) in the natural musical language is called a minor second or a half step. An example would be, C to Db. The phrase minor second also implies the use of the second letter hence Db not C#. With any interval, the number stated refers to the amount of letters used. As we increase the distance between the notes by half steps, we have a notation system that is quite logical.

As we said, the number refers to the amount of letters covered and a prefix will allow for variables.

Seconds: C-Db =minor second ( ½ step)

C-D = Major second ( 1 step)

C- D# = Augmented second ( 1 ½ steps)

Using C as an example here are the basic interval names:

C – C Unison (zero steps)

C – Db minor second (1/2 step)

C – D Major second ( 1 step)

C – Eb minor third (1 ½ steps)

C – E Major third (2 steps)

C – F Perfect fourth (2 ½ steps)

C – F# Augmented fourth (3 steps)

C – Gb Diminished fifth ( 3 steps)

C – G Perfect fifth (3 ½ steps)

C – Ab minor sixth (4 steps)

C – A Major sixth (4 ½ steps)

C – Bb minor seventh ( 5 steps)

C – B Major seventh ( 5 ½ steps)

C – C Octave (6 steps)

These are the principal interval names. There can be variations of course. We could then us the labels “augmented” (larger) or “diminished” (smaller).

C-D# = Augmented second (1 ½ steps). This is equal to the minor third in distance, but the letter name is different. Same sound, but different in name.

F-Fb = diminished fourth (2 steps). Equal to the Major third but again, different letter names.

When anything in music has the same sound with an alternate name, like C# and Db this is called “Enharmonic”

C-Eb = minor third

C-D# = Augmented second

These two interval sound the same but the names are different and thus enharmonic.

Inverse Intervals (Crucial for the Stick)

The inverted tuning of the Stick can be demystified by the concept of inverted intervals.

For ease of explanation, an inverse interval is just its mirror image.

Ascending:

C – F = Perfect Fourth

F – C = Perfect Fifth Inverse

All inverse intervals always add to nine and except for the Perfect Fourth and Perfect Fifth are of opposite minor and Major qualities.

C – A = Major sixth

A – C = minor third ( six + three = nine; Major and minor are opposites)

Intervals Larger Than The Octave

Of course music goes beyond the Octave. The same rules apply.

C – C(higher) = Octave

C – D (above the octave) = Major ninth

C D E F G A B C D E   F   G  A  B



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