Music Theory: Intervals
Half-steps
Abbreviation
Name
Ascending sounds like
0
U or P1
Unison
Jingle Bells
1
m2
Minor second
2
3
M2
m3
Major second
Minor third
Descending sounds like
“Jaws” Theme
Beethoven’s Fur Elise
“Pink Panther” Theme
Joy to the World
Do-Re-Mi
Three Blind Mice
Frere Jacques
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Greensleeves
Frosty the Snowman Hey Jude
4
5
6
M3
P4
TT
Major third
Perfect fourth
Tritone
Kumbaya
Swing Low, Swing Chariot
When the Saints Go Marching
Beethoven’s 5th Symphony
Here Comes the Bride
Born Free
Amazing Grace
Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
West Side Story: “Maria” Theme from The Simpsons
7
P5
Perfect fifth
Star Wars Theme
Mozart’s Minuet in G (pentascales)
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
The Flintstones Theme
8
m6
Minor sixth
The Entertainer
Love Story: Where Do I Begin
9
M6
Major sixth
My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
NBC Theme
Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen
10
m7
Minor seventh
West Side Story: “There’s a place for us”
11
M7
Major seventh
South Pacific: Bali Ha‘i will call you Willy Wonka: “Pure Imagination” A Ha: Take on Me
12
P8
Octave
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