Music workshop
Intervals
Two notes. How far apart are they?
Theory
01
Two notes, one distance
An interval is the distance between two notes. In order they make a small melodic move; together they form a harmony. Direction and distance are different properties.
Select the second staff note and edit it with a key. Listen in order and together; compare the distance.
Select a note. Drag it, press ↑ ↓ or a piano key to change only that note.
C4 · E4
A note or piano key sounds alone. “Together” plays the selected set.
02
Half steps and whole steps
A half step reaches the nearest key, black or white. A whole step is two half steps. E–F and B–C are already neighbours.
Compare a minor and a major second.
Select a note. Drag it, press ↑ ↓ or a piano key to change only that note.
C4 · D♭4
A note or piano key sounds alone. “Together” plays the selected set.
03
Two rulers
An interval number counts letter positions: C–D–E is a third. Its quality specifies semitones: C–E is major, C–E♭ is minor.
Change the second note and compare both rulers.
Select a note. Drag it, press ↑ ↓ or a piano key to change only that note.
C4 · E4
A note or piano key sounds alone. “Together” plays the selected set.
Meet the intervals
Unison
The same pitch twice: zero semitones apart.
Tap a note to listen.
Move both notes. Their interval stays the same.
Minor second
Neighbouring keys: one half step.
Tap a note to listen.
Move both notes. Their interval stays the same.
Major second
Two letter positions, two semitones — one whole step.
Tap a note to listen.
Move both notes. Their interval stays the same.
Minor third
Three letter positions and three semitones. From C, reach E flat.
Tap a note to listen.
Move both notes. Their interval stays the same.
Major third
Three letter positions and four semitones. From C, reach E.
Tap a note to listen.
Move both notes. Their interval stays the same.
Perfect fourth
Four letter positions and five semitones: C–D–E–F.
Tap a note to listen.
Move both notes. Their interval stays the same.
Perfect fifth
Five letter positions and seven semitones: C–D–E–F–G.
Tap a note to listen.
Move both notes. Their interval stays the same.
Perfect octave
Eight letter positions and twelve semitones. The name returns; frequency doubles.
Tap a note to listen.
Move both notes. Their interval stays the same.
05
The same distance elsewhere
Transposition moves both notes by the same number of semitones. Their distance stays the same. Both frequencies are multiplied by the same factor, not increased by the same number of hertz.
Change the starting note.
Select a note. Drag it, press ↑ ↓ or a piano key to change only that note.
C4 · E4
A note or piano key sounds alone. “Together” plays the selected set.
06
Why octaves sound alike
An octave doubles frequency: the higher wave vibrates twice per lower-wave cycle. This keyboard uses equal temperament: its fifth is close to 3:2, not exactly 3:2.
Compare an octave and fifth over the same time.
Select a note. Drag it, press ↑ ↓ or a piano key to change only that note.
C4 · C5
A note or piano key sounds alone. “Together” plays the selected set.
Vibrations over 10 ms
0–10 ms. Pure tones share a phase origin. All lines use one scale: each voice has amplitude 1/N, where N is the voice count. The sum adds the displayed lines; the loudness envelope is omitted.
Practice
Explore freely: no mistakes and no score here.
Select a staff note, then edit it with the piano or arrow keys.
A key-signature accidental applies to that letter in every octave. The labels here list pitches; individual accidentals are shown on notes separately.
Vibrations over 10 ms
Pure tones share a phase origin. All lines use one scale: each voice has amplitude 1/N, where N is the voice count. The sum adds the displayed lines; the loudness envelope is omitted.
Games
Choose a game. One card holds everything for the task.
Add notes with the keys. Select a staff note to replace it.
A key-signature accidental applies to that letter in every octave. The labels here list pitches; individual accidentals are shown on notes separately.
Vibrations over 10 ms
Pure tones share a phase origin. All lines use one scale: each voice has amplitude 1/N, where N is the voice count. The sum adds the displayed lines; the loudness envelope is omitted.
These are pure tones. Add harmonics and explore timbre in the sound laboratory.
Sound laboratory