An understanding of intervals is essential when discussing all things jazz. Furthermore, understanding the intervals of the major scale is a giant step for all students. Intervals are described by comparing them to the intervals in the Major Scale. Each note vibrates at a specific cycle called its pitch. Intervals can be measured, counted and named by the number of major scale notes they span.
Simple intervals are one octave or less.
Compound intervals are simple intervals plus an octave and are where 9th, 11th and 13th intervals are located. Perfect Intervals are Unisons, Fourths, Fifths and Octaves Musicians use intervals as a communication tool for describing chords, arpeggios and scales. Recognizing interval differences is an invaluable asset in all styles of music. Students can develop and expand their hearing by the proven method of associating intervals with with familiar melodies. Furthermore any two notes with that melody is the interval of an octave.