⬇Musicals Intervals on the bass⬇

Musical intervals are important because they are the building blocks of melody and harmony. Intervals describe the relationship between two pitches, and they are used to create chord progressions, melodies, and harmonies in music. Understanding intervals can help a musician compose and improvise music, as well as analyse and understand existing music. Additionally, intervals can also help musicians develop their sense of pitch and improve their ear training. 

Check out my in depth video masterclass on the musical intervals on the bass further down the page.

There are 12 intervals you need to learn within the space of an octave;

Musical intervals refer to the distances between two pitches in music. They are the building blocks of harmony and melody and are used in nearly every style of music. This paper will explore the different types of intervals, their characteristics, and their role in music theory. 

The most basic type of interval is the unison, which is the distance between two notes that are the same pitch. The next smallest interval is the minor second, which is the distance between two notes that are one half-step apart. A major second is the distance between two notes that are one whole step apart. The distance between a major second and a minor second is a semitone, also known as a half-step. 

The next type of interval is the third. A minor third is the distance between two notes that are three half-steps apart, while a major third is the distance between two notes that are four half-steps apart. The distance between a major third and a minor third is a minor second, or one half-step. 

Fourth and fifth intervals are also important in music theory. A perfect fourth is the distance between two notes that are five half-steps apart, while a perfect fifth is the distance between two notes that are seven half-steps apart. The distance between a perfect fourth and a perfect fifth is a minor third, or three half-steps. 

Intervals can also be described as consonant or dissonant. Consonant intervals, such as the perfect fifth and the octave, sound pleasing to the ear and are commonly used in music. Dissonant intervals, such as the minor second and the augmented fourth, sound harsh and are used to create tension in music. 

Intervals are also used to form chords, which are groups of notes played together. Chords can be classified as major, minor, or diminished based on the intervals between their notes. For example, a major chord is formed by a root note, a major third, and a perfect fifth, while a minor chord is formed by a root note, a minor third, and a perfect fifth. 

In conclusion, intervals are the building blocks of music and play a crucial role in the creation of melody and harmony. Understanding intervals and how they relate to one another is essential for understanding music theory and the structure of music. From simple unison to complex dissonant intervals, they all have their unique characteristics and uses in music. 

Ear Training 

It is important to train your ears to hear the different musical intervals. Check out the link below for some recommended sites and other tools 

https://www.karlgolden.org/practicetools

Here are some songs or nursery rhymes you can use to help hear the sound of each interval: 

  • Unison: "Happy Birthday to You", "Row, Row, Row Your Boat",  or "Pop Goes the Weasel"
  • Minor Second: "Mary Had a Little Lamb", "Do-Re-Mi" from The Sound of Music, or "Baa Baa Black Sheep"
  • Major Second: "London Bridge is Falling Down", "Jingle Bells", or "Three Blind Mice"
  • Minor Third: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" , "Brahms' Lullaby", or "Hush Little Baby"
  • Major Third: "When the Saints Go Marching In", "Oh! Susanna", or "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"
  • Perfect Fourth: "Here Comes the Bride", "Amazing Grace", or "Greensleeves"
  • Tritone: "Take On Me" by A-ha, "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple, or "Black Sabbath" by Black Sabbath
  • Perfect Fifth: "Star Wars" main theme, "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz
  • Minor Sixth: "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess, "Yesterday" by The Beatles, or "Misty" by Erroll Garner
  • Major Sixth: "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean", "The First Noel", or "Deck the Halls"
  • Minor Seventh: "Imagine" by John Lennon, "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley, or "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley
  • Major Seventh: "The Girl from Ipanema" by Astrud Gilberto, "Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin, or "Satin Doll" by Duke Ellington

The UlTIMATE BASS SCALES BOOK

This book can be used as a learning, reference or practice tool to explore new scales and shapes to help improve your improvisational skills, songwriting and practice routine. 

Going from the simplest scales, such as the Minor Pentatonic scale, through to the more complex, such as Harmonic Minor and Melodic Minor. This book can be used simply as a reference point for shapes to play for certain scales/modes, or to further develop your knowledge and practice routines to become the ultimate bass player! 

Essential Bass Scales

bass chords & Arpeggios Book

⬇Left-handed GUITAR & BASS BOOKS⬇

Join my mailing list to keep up to date with my latest books

⬇BLANK TABLATURE & CHORD NOTEBOOKS⬇

ESSENTIAL scale POSTERS - PERFECT for PRACTICE