We have already covered the most basic types of intervals. In this chapter, we will explore all the other intervals, compound intervals, inversions, and concepts of consonance and dissonance.

9.1   Other Qualities

We learned that increasing a minor interval by a half step while keeping its interval number turns it into a major interval. We also learned that decreasing a major interval by a half step while maintaining its interval number turns it into a minor interval. But what happens when you increase a major interval by a half step? Or decrease a minor interval by a half step? What happens when a perfect interval becomes smaller or larger?

Remember that when we studied the harmonic minor scale (Chapter 6, Section 9), there was a significant gap between scale degree 6^ (le) and scale degree 7^ (ti). In Example 9.1.1, the large gap is between B♭B flat and C♯C sharp.

Example 9.1.1. Harmonic minor scale

The space between scale degree 6^ (le) and scale degree 7^ (ti) is not a half step or a whole step: the interval is larger than a whole step. In fact, the harmonic minor scale includes what’s called an augmented second.

Interval qualities that are outside the categories of perfect, major, and minor are called augmented and diminished intervals. Notice the two possible paths interval qualities can follow (Example 9.1.2).

Example 9.1.2. Other qualities

• Recall that some interval numbers can only be perfect, while others can only be major or minor. The chart above illustrates how the path taken by a perfect interval differs from that taken by a minor or major interval.
  • Diminished interval (^o): when a perfect or minor interval is decreased by a half step.
  • Augmented interval (+): when a perfect interval or major interval is increased by a half step.
• The perfect intervals are the perfect unison (P1), perfect fourth (P4), perfect fifth (P5), and perfect octave (P8).
  • When a perfect interval decreases by a half step, it never becomes minor. It becomes diminished.
  • A half-step smaller than a perfect fifth (P5) is a diminished fifth (^o5).
  • A half-step larger than a perfect fourth (P4) is an augmented fourth (+4).
• The minor and major intervals include the minor or major second (m2/M2), minor or major third (m3/M3), minor or major sixth (m6/M6), and minor or major seventh (m7/M7).
  • A half-step smaller than a minor seventh (m7) is a diminished seventh (^o7).
  • A half-step larger than a major sixth (M6) is an augmented sixth (+6).
• Note that an augmented interval is only one half-step larger than a perfect interval, while it is two half-steps larger than a minor interval.

You may also abbreviate diminished as “d” or “dim.” and augmented as “A” or “aug.” For this book, we will use ^o for diminished and + for augmented.

Remember that there are two ways to reduce an interval by a half step: lower the top note or raise the bottom note. To turn a perfect or minor interval into a diminished one, you can use either method (Example 9.1.3).

Example 9.1.3. Diminished intervals

• Example 9.1.3A:
  • Example 9.1.3A1: C to G is a perfect fifth.
  • Example 9.1.3A2: When the top note G is lowered to G♭G flat, it creates a diminished fifth (^o5).
  • Example 9.1.3A3: When the bottom note C is raised to C♯C sharp, it creates a diminished fifth (^o5).
• Example 9.1.3B:
  • Example 9.1.3B1: B♭B flat to G♭G flat is a minor sixth. Note that for diminished intervals, we start with the minor sixth rather than the major sixth. If we started with the major sixth, we would need to make the interval smaller by a whole step (that is, two half steps).
  • Example 9.1.3B2: When the top note G♭G flat is lowered to G𝄫G double flat, it creates a diminished sixth (^o6).
  • Example 9.1.3B3: When the bottom note B♭B flat is raised to B, it creates a diminished sixth (^o6).

There are two ways to make an interval larger by a half step: raise the top note or lower the bottom note. To turn a perfect or major interval into an augmented interval, you can use either method (Example 9.1.4).

Example 9.1.4. Augmented intervals

• Example 9.1.4A:
  • Example 9.1.4A1: C to G is a perfect fifth.
  • Example 9.1.4A2: When the top note G is raised to G♯G sharp, it creates an augmented fifth (+5).
  • Example 9.1.4A3: When the bottom note C is lowered to C♭C flat, it creates an augmented fifth (+5).
• Example 9.1.4B:
  • Example 9.1.4B1: B♭B flat to G is a major sixth. Notice that for augmented intervals, we start with the major sixth instead of the minor sixth. If we started with the minor sixth, we would need to increase the interval by a whole step (i.e., two half steps).
  • Example 9.1.4B2: When the top note G is raised to G♯G sharp, it creates an augmented sixth (+6). Notice that both sharp and flat symbols appear in this example. Although mixing flats and sharps does not occur with perfect, major, and minor intervals, you might see this combination with augmented and diminished intervals.
  • Example 9.1.4B3: When the bottom note B♭B flat is lowered to B𝄫B double flat, it creates an augmented sixth (+6).

If you start with a major interval and make it diminished, or if you start with a minor interval and make it augmented, it requires a reduction or increase of two half steps instead of one (Example 9.1.5).

Example 9.1.5. Changing intervals by two half steps

• Example 9.1.5A:
  • Example 9.1.5A1: G to F♯F sharp is a major seventh. To create a diminished seventh, lower the top note by two half steps or raise the bottom note by two half steps.
  • Example 9.1.5A2: Lowering the top note from F♯F sharp to F creates a minor seventh.
  • Example 9.1.5A3: Lowering the top note once more from F to F♭F flat creates a diminished seventh (^o7).
• Example 9.1.5B:
  • Example 9.1.5B1: A to C is a minor third. To create an augmented third, raise the top note by two half steps or lower the bottom note by two half steps.
  • Example 9.1.5B2: Lowering the bottom note from A to A♭A flat creates a major third.
  • Example 9.1.5B3: Lowering the bottom note once more from A♭A flat to A𝄫A double flat creates an augmented third (+3).

Augmented and diminished intervals can be confusing for students. Always start with what you know (i.e. that is, perfect, major, and minor intervals) and build from there.

Identifying Other Qualities

While identifying intervals, you may come across an interval that is not perfect, major, or minor. In such cases, the interval will be augmented or diminished (Example 9.1.6).

Example 9.1.6. Identifying other qualities

Step one: Find the numeric interval (Example 9.1.7).

Example 9.1.7. Step one

• Example 9.1.7A: This interval is a fifth.
• Example 9.1.7B: This interval is a sixth.

Step two: Decide whether the top note is more closely related to the major or minor key of the bottom note. Then, determine if the interval is larger (augmented) or smaller (diminished) (Example 9.1.8).

Example 9.1.8. Step two

• Example 9.1.8A: In both B major and B minor, a perfect fifth (P5) above B is F♯F sharp. Since the top note is F♮F natural, it creates an interval smaller than a perfect fifth, which results in a diminished fifth (^o5).
• Example 9.1.8B: In A♭A flat major, a major sixth (M6) above A♭A flat is F. Since the top note is F♯F sharp, it creates an interval larger than a major sixth, resulting in an augmented sixth (+6).
  • Alternatively, you could begin in A♭A flat minor, where a minor sixth (m6) above A♭A flat is F♭F flat.
    • Raising F♭F flat to F♮F natural results in a major sixth.
    • Raising F♮F natural to F♯F sharp results in an augmented sixth, which is the answer.
  • In this case, beginning with A♭A flat major would have been faster.

You may have noticed that Example 9.1.8B contained both a flat and a sharp. One shortcut you can use is that only augmented and diminished intervals will have both types of accidentals.

Augmented and diminished intervals are often (but not always) tricky intervals. However, do not be intimidated and take it step by step. Just as we did with tricky intervals in Chapter 8, Section 6, temporarily change the bottom note to a note with a major or minor key. Apply the same transformation to the top note, then identify the interval (Example 9.1.9).

Example 9.1.9. Identifying other qualities with tricky notes

• Example 9.1.9A:
  • Example 9.1.9A1: There is no such key as E♯E sharp major or E♯E sharp
  • Example 9.1.9A2: Lower E♯E sharp by a half step to become E(♮ natural )–a key we are familiar with.
  • Example 9.1.9A3:
    • Apply the same transformation to the top note: Lower the top note (A) by a half step to A♭A flat.
    • The interval from E to A is a perfect fourth (P4). Lowering the top note (A♭A flat) makes the interval smaller, thus creating a diminished fourth (^o4).
  • Example 9.1.9A1: Returning to the original notes (E♯E sharp to A), we transfer our answer: ^o4.
  • Alternatively, we could use the shortcut for perfect fourths:
    • Since the interval is a fourth and notes are not F and B, we know that E to A is a perfect fourth (P4).
    • Raising the bottom note makes the interval smaller, resulting in a diminished fourth (^o4).
• Example 9.1.9B:
  • Example 9.1.9B1: There is no such key as F𝄫F double flat major or F𝄫F double flat
  • Example 9.1.9B2: Raise F𝄫F double flat a whole step to become F–a key we are familiar with.
  • Example 9.1.9B3:
    • Apply the same transformation to the top note: Raise the top note (E♭E flat) by a whole step to E♯E sharp.
    • The interval from F to E is a major seventh. Raising the top note (E♯E sharp) makes the interval larger, thus creating an augmented seventh (+7).
  • Example 9.1.9B1: Returning to the original notes (F𝄫F double flat to E♭E flat), we transfer our answer: +7.
  • Play Example 9.1.9B on the piano—it sounds like an octave! However, because of how the dyad is written, the interval is not a perfect octave, but rather, an augmented seventh.

Augmented and diminished intervals are quite common. Example 9.1.10 shows different types of intervals in a waltz by Cournand.

Example 9.1.10. Other intervals: Cournand,^[1] Waltz in A Major

• Example 9.1.10A: There is a harmonic diminished fifth (^o5).
  • The fastest way to identify this interval is by using the perfect fifth shortcut. E to B is a perfect fifth (same accidentals and the notes are not B and F), and E♯E sharp raises the bottom note, making the interval smaller. Therefore, the interval is a diminished fifth (^o5).
• Example 9.1.10B: There is a melodic augmented second (+2).
  • The quickest way to identify this interval is by using the major second shortcut. D to E is a major second (whole step), and E♯E sharp raises the top, making the interval larger. Therefore, the interval is an augmented second (+2).

All interval numbers can be diminished or augmented except for the unison. The unison can be augmented but can never be diminished (Example 8.1.11)

Example 9.1.11. The unison

• Example 9.1.11A: G to G is a perfect unison because they are the same pitch.
• Example 9.1.11B: G to G♯G sharp is an augmented unison because G♯G sharp is a half-step larger than a perfect unison.
• Example 9.1.11C: G to G♭G flat is also an augmented unison.
  • At first glance, it may appear that Example 9.1.11C is a diminished unison because G♭G flat is lower than G.
  • However, intervals are always based on the lower In Example 9.1.11C, the lower note is now G♭G flat and not G.
  • G♭G flat to G♭G flat would be a perfect unison, and G♭G flat to G is a half step larger, resulting in an augmented unison.

When identifying augmented and diminished intervals, follow the same steps as you did for perfect, major, and minor intervals.

Writing Other Qualities

When writing augmented and diminished intervals, you must first establish if the quality of the interval number is perfect or major/minor. This is because the number of half-step alterations will vary depending on your starting point. Because fifths are perfect while sixths are major/minor, we will approach each interval differently. Let’s practice a few examples step by step.

Example 9.1.12. Write an augmented fifth above the given note

• Example 9.1.12A: The question asks to write an augmented fifth above D♭D flat.
• Example 9.1.12B: We know that a perfect fifth above D♭D flat is A♭A flat.
• Example 9.1.12C: To change the perfect fifth into an augmented fifth, raise A♭A flat to A(♮ natural ).

Example 9.1.13. Write an augmented sixth above the given note

• Example 9.1.13A: The question asks to write an augmented sixth above D♭D flat.
• Example 9.1.13B: We begin with the key of D♭D flat major, since there is no such key as D♭D flat minor. A major sixth above D♭D flat is BB♭B flat.
• Example 9.1.13C: To change the major sixth into an augmented sixth, raise B♭B flat to B♮B natural.

Example 9.1.14. Write an augmented sixth above the given note.

• Example 9.1.14A: The question asks to write an augmented sixth above D♯D sharp.
• Example 9.1.14B: We begin with the key of D♯D sharp minor, as there is no such key as D♯D sharp major. A minor sixth above D♯D sharp is B.
• Example 9.1.14C: To change the minor sixth into an augmented sixth, raise B to B𝄪B double sharp. It must be raised by two half steps when changing an interval from minor to augmented.

As you saw in Example 9.1.12 – 9.1.14, the number of half-step alterations varies depending on whether the interval begins as minor, major, or perfect.

The best thing you can do is practice intervals as much as possible to improve fluency. The more you practice intervals, the quicker you’ll become at combining shortcuts to find the correct answer. Later, we will use these intervals to build larger musical structures. Efficiently identifying intervals will be extremely helpful.

9.2  Compound Intervals

Example 9.2.1. Simple and compound intervals

• The intervals in the blue boxes (major ninth, major tenth, compound perfect fourth, and compound perfect fifth) are compound intervals.
  • Although we can say “compound perfect fourth,” we usually just write “P4.”
  • Because the ninth and tenth are fairly common, they are often referred to as a ninth and tenth. However, they can also be called a compound second and a compound third.
• The compound perfect fifth (last example) is more than two octaves apart. The term “compound” does not distinguish between intervals that are one or more octaves apart.

When identifying compound intervals, compress the interval to its simple form by either lowering the top note an octave or more or raising the bottom note an octave or more until the interval is less than an octave apart. It is very important that you do not move the top note below the bottom note. Remember that intervals are always based on the bottom note, so you cannot change the bottom note. Example 9.2.2. shows the steps to identify compound intervals.

Example 9.2.2. Identifying compound intervals

• Example 9.2.2A:
  • Example 9.2.2A1: Identify the given interval.
  • Example 9.2.2A2a: Lower the top note an octave from C₄ to C₃ to transform the compound interval into a simple interval. The interval is a minor sixth (m6).
  • Example 9.2.2A2b: Alternatively, you can raise the bottom note an octave from E₂ to E₃ to turn the compound interval into a simple interval. The result is the same (m6).
  • Example 9.2.2A3: Although the interval is technically a compound minor sixth, you can simply write “m6.”
• Example 9.2.2B: This is a common mistake students make. Instead of dropping only one octave, C₄ is written below E₂. This makes C₂ the bottom note and the interval a major third, which is incorrect. The correct answer is a minor sixth. You cannot change the bottom note.

In Example 9.2.1, the last interval was more than two octaves apart. When identifying even larger intervals, keep lowering the top note by an octave or more (or raising the lower note by an octave or more) until you form a simple interval (Example 9.2.3).

Example 9.2.3. Identifying large compound intervals

• Example 9.2.3A: Identify the given interval.
• Example 9.2.3B: To compress the given compound interval into a simple interval, lower the top note (G♯G sharp₅) until it is less than an octave above the bottom note (F₂). We need to lower G♯G sharp by three octaves (from G♯G sharp₅ to G♯G sharp₄ to G♯G sharp₃ to G♯G sharp₂) to do this. Identifying the interval is now easier: it is an augmented second (+2).
• Example 9.2.3C: Although the interval is very large, we still label it as an augmented second (+2). Never label it as an augmented twenty-third (+23).

In Example 9.2.4, Scriabin enriches the melody with compound intervals in his etude.

Example 9.2.4. Compound intervals in Scriabin,^[3] Etude, Op. 65, No. 1

At first glance, one might think that the pianist plays running octaves with their right hand. However, upon closer inspection, the intervals are larger than an octave—in fact, they are major ninths (or compound major seconds).

Compound intervals are common because they are not limited to one staff. Remember that when identifying compound intervals, simply reduce the interval to its simple form (an octave or less). Find the compound intervals in the next example (Example 9.2.5).

Example 9.2.5. Compound intervals: Strozzi^[4], “Non c’è più fede”

• Every interval is a compound interval.
• Notice that the first two intervals are both perfect fifths (P5). Although the first interval is a nineteenth and the second interval is only a twelfth, they are still labeled the same.

9.3  Interval Inversions

Remember that when reducing compound intervals to simple intervals, it was important not to move the top note below the bottom note. Moving the top note below the bottom note creates a different interval, known as the interval inversion (Example 9.3.1).

Example 9.3.1. Interval Inversions

• Example 9.3.1A: When we move the top note (C₄) so that it becomes the bottom note (C₂), the interval changes to a major sixth.
  • When A is the bottom note, we think in the key of A major (or A minor). Therefore, the interval from A up to C is a minor third.
  • When C is the bottom note, we think in the key of C major (or C minor). Therefore, the interval from C to A is a major sixth.
• Example 9.3.1B: The first interval is a perfect fifth. Since it is written very low, it might be hard to read with multiple ledger lines if we move the top note below the bottom note. Instead, move the bottom note above the top note. To find an interval inversion, you can move the top note below or the bottom note above—you should get the same result. When we move the bottom note (B♭B flat₁) so that it becomes the top note (B♭B flat₂), the interval turns into a perfect fourth.
  • When B♭B flat is the bottom note, we think in the key of B♭B flat major (or B♭B flat minor). Therefore, the interval from B♭B flat up to F is a perfect fifth.
  • When F is the bottom note, we think in the key of F major (or F minor). Therefore, the interval from F to B♭B flat is a perfect fourth.
• Example 9.3.1C: The first interval is an augmented second. When we move the top note (F♯F sharp₃) so that it becomes the bottom note (F♯F sharp₂), the interval turns into a diminished seventh. Be sure to rewrite the accidentals correctly.
  • When E♭E flat is the bottom note, we think in the key of E♭E flat major (or E♭E flat minor). Therefore, the interval from E♭E flat up to F♯F sharp is an augmented second.
  • When F♯F sharp is the bottom note, we think in the key of F♯F sharp major (or F♯F sharp minor). Therefore, the interval from F♯F sharp to E♭E flat is a diminished seventh.

Interval inversions are common in music, as shown in Example 9.3.2.

Example 9.3.2. Interval inversions: Beethoven,^[6] Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55, (“Eroica”), iv – Allegro molto

After a boisterous introduction, the first theme of the final movement of Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony begins with the strings, as shown in Example 9.3.2. All instruments play in unison (except for the cellos, which play an octave lower).

• Example 9.3.2A: When looking at the first pair of notes, each instrument starts with an E♭E flat ascending to B♭B flat, forming an interval of a perfect fifth (P5).
• The B♭B flat in measure 13 then leaps down an octave in measure 14.
• Example 9.3.2B: Moving the B♭B flat that was previously above E♭E flat to now be below E♭E flat inverts the interval. The new interval is a perfect fourth (P4).

Writing Other Qualities

You might notice a pattern between interval qualities and numbers when writing interval inversions. There is a shortcut that can help you identify interval inversions quickly. The inversion of interval qualities will always be as shown in Example 9.3.3. 

Example 9.3.3. Inversions of interval qualities

• The inversion of any augmented interval is diminished (and vice versa).
• The inversion of any perfect interval is perfect.
• The inversion of any major interval is minor (and vice versa).

Just as the system for identifying interval qualities is consistent, the method for finding the inversion of interval numbers is also straightforward. The inversion of interval numbers will always add up to nine (see Example 9.3.4).

Example 9.3.4. Inversions of interval numbers

• The inversion of a unison (1) is an octave (8), and vice versa, because 1 + 8 = 9.
• The inversion of a second (2) is a seventh (7), and vice versa, because 2 + 7 = 9.
• The inversion of a third (3) is a sixth (6), and vice versa, because 3 + 6 = 9.
• The inversion of a fourth (4) is a fifth (5), and vice versa, because 4 + 5 = 9.

Knowing these shortcuts, we can quickly identify the inversion of any interval without calculating the interval step-by-step (Example 9.3.5).

Example 9.3.5. Samples of interval inversions

• The inversion of a perfect interval remains a perfect interval, and the inversion of a unison becomes an octave. Therefore, the inversion of a perfect unison (P1) is a perfect octave (P8).
• The inversion of a minor interval becomes a major interval, and the inversion of a second becomes a seventh. Therefore, the inversion of a minor second (m2) is a major seventh (M7).
• The inversion of a diminished interval is an augmented interval, and the inversion of a third is a sixth. Therefore, the inversion of a diminished third (^o3) is an augmented sixth (+6).
• The inversion of a perfect interval is also a perfect interval, and the inversion of a fourth is a fifth. Therefore, the inversion of a perfect fourth (P4) is a perfect fifth (P5).

9.4   Writing Intervals Below

As we learned, intervals are always based on the key signature of the lower note. Identifying descending intervals is straightforward, as you simply look for the lower note. However, writing intervals below a given note can sometimes be challenging for students. Example 9.4.1 shows a common mistake made by students.

Example 9.4.1. Common error

• Example 9.4.1A: The instructions ask to write a major third below C5.
• Example 9.4.1B: A third below C is A, but it is a minor third—not a major third.
  • The mistake is that students think in the key of C major, which has no flats or sharps. Indeed, A belongs to the key of C, but C is no longer the lower note.
  • The lower note is A, and the key of A major has three sharps, including C♯C sharp. Therefore, A to C is actually a minor third.
  • Remember: Intervals are always calculated from the lower note.

From Example 9.4.1B, students often attempt to correct the error by creating another mistake (Example 9.4.2).

Example 9.4.2. Another common error

• Example 9.4.2A: This was the first mistake made in Example 9.4.1: The interval is a minor third instead of a major third.
• Example 9.4.2B: To fix this problem, students attempt to turn a minor third into a major third by raising the top note (C♯C sharp).
  • The issue is that the note provided has been altered. The directions called for a major third below C, not C♯C sharp.
  • Remember: You can never change the given note.

We learned there are two ways to increase an interval by a half step: raise the top note or lower the bottom note. Since we can never change the given note—in this case, the top note—our only option is to lower the bottom note (Example 9.4.3.)

Example 9.4.3. Correct answer

• Example 9.4.3A: This was the first mistake made in Example 9.4.1: The interval is a minor third instead of a major third.
• Example 9.4.3B: To fix this problem, lower the bottom note from A to A♭A flat since you cannot change the given note (C).
  • In the key of A♭A flat major, there are four flats, so C is a major third.

There are two ways to write intervals below a given note: Method #1 (Write and Adjust) and Method #2 (Using Interval Inversions).

Method #1: Write and Adjust

Writing intervals below begin with the same steps as writing intervals above but require an additional step.

1. When asked to write an interval below, write the pitch below based on the interval number.
2. Identify your newly created interval and adjust the bottom note accordingly.

We will go through two examples step by step (Examples 9.4.4 and 9.4.5).

Example 9.4.4. Method #1: Write and adjust

• Example 9.4.4A: The directions ask to write a minor sixth below the given note.
• Example 9.4.4B: Ignoring accidentals for now, write a generic sixth below B. In this case, the bottom note is B. Next, identify the new interval. The interval is a major sixth.
• Example 9.4.4C: Adjust the bottom interval to create the requested interval. To change a major sixth into a minor sixth, the interval must be reduced by a half step. Since we cannot alter the top note, raise the bottom note from B to B♯B sharp.

Example 9.4.5. Method #1: Write and adjust

• Example 9.4.5A: The directions ask to write an augmented fourth below the given note.
• Example 9.4.5B: Write a generic fourth below D. In this case, the bottom note is A. Next, identify the new interval. The interval is a perfect fourth.
• Example 9.4.5C: Adjust the bottom interval to match the requested interval. To change a perfect fourth into an augmented fourth, increase the size of the interval by a half step. Since we cannot change the top note, lower the bottom note from A to A♭A flat.

Whenever you use Method #1, remember that you cannot change the given note—in this case, the top note.

Method #2: Using Interval Inversions

For some students, writing intervals below is challenging because they want to change the top note. An easier approach for many students is to use interval inversions.

1. When asked to write an interval below, write the inversion above instead.
2. Once you find your answer, write it an octave lower so that your answer is below the given note.

We will go through two examples step by step (Examples 9.4.6 and 9.4.7).

Example 9.4.6. Method #2: Using interval inversions

• Example 9.4.6A: The directions ask to write a major third below C.
• Example 9.4.6B: The inversion of a major third is a minor sixth. Write a minor sixth above C: A♭A flat.
• Example 9.4.6C: Once you identify the answer, write the note (A♭A flat) an octave lower so that it is below the given note.

Example 9.4.7. Method #2: Using interval inversions

• Example 9.4.7A: The directions ask to write a diminished seventh below E♭E flat.
• Example 9.4.7B: The inversion of a diminished seventh is an augmented second. Write an augmented second above E♭E flat: F♯F sharp.
• Example 9.4.7C: After you find the answer, write the note (F♯F sharp) one octave lower so that it is below the given note.

By applying interval inversion, you can utilize a technique you’ve already learned: writing intervals above.

9.5   Shortcut: m7/M7

Since sevenths are such large intervals, they can sometimes cause confusion for students. However, you can simplify identifying and writing sevenths by using interval inversions. Remember, the inversion of a seventh is a second, and the inversion of major is minor. When writing or recognizing sevenths, using the inversion can be very helpful.

• The inversion of a major seventh is a minor second.
• The inversion of a minor seventh is a major second.

We already learned a shortcut for seconds.

• A minor second is a diatonic half step.
• A major second is a diatonic whole step.

To write sevenths above, temporarily invert the seventh and think of a diatonic half step for a major seventh or a diatonic whole step for a minor seventh (Example 9.5.1).

Example 9.5.1. Writing sevenths above using interval inversions

• Example 9.5.1A:
  • Example 9.5.1A1: The directions ask for a minor seventh above B.
  • Example 9.5.1A2: Since the inversion of a minor seventh is a major second, temporarily think of a major second (i.e., diatonic whole step) below B. The answer is A.
  • Example 9.5.1A3: Move the A below the given B so that it is above the given B. By doing so, you have now written a minor seventh above B.
• Example 9.5.1B:
  • Example 9.5.1B1: The directions ask for a major seventh above B♯B sharp.
  • Example 9.5.1B2: Since the inversion of a major seventh is a minor second, temporarily think of a minor second (i.e., diatonic half step) below B♯B sharp. The answer is A𝄪A double sharp.
  • Example 9.5.1B3. Move the A$ below the given B♯B sharp so that it is above the given B♯B sharp. By doing so, you have now written a major seventh above B♯B sharp.

While writing a minor seventh above B (Example 9.5.1A) is quite simple since the keys of both B major and B minor exist, writing a seventh above B♯B sharp (Example 9.5.1B) can be more challenging, and using the inversion might be helpful.

We can also use the inversion of sevenths to write intervals below (Example 9.5.2).

Example 9.5.2. Writing sevenths below using interval inversions

• Example 9.5.2A: The directions ask to write a major seventh below E♯E sharp.
• Example 9.5.2B: The inversion of a major seventh is a minor second. Write a diatonic half step above E♯F sharp, which is E♯F sharp.
• Example 9.5.2C: Rewrite the F♯F sharp an octave lower so that it is now below the given note.

When identifying sevenths, you will also temporarily invert the seventh to determine what kind of second is created (Example 9.5.3).

Example 9.5.3. Identifying sevenths

• Example 9.5.3A:
  • Example 9.5.3A1: Since the key of F♭F flat major or minor does not exist, we can use the inversion to determine the quality of this seventh.
  • Example 9.5.3A2: When we write F♭F flat above E♭E flat, we see the interval is a half step (i.e., minor second).
    • Shortcut! When the accidentals are the same, we can remove both of them. The interval from E to F is a minor second.
  • Example 9.5.3A3: To find the answer to the original question, you need to find the inversion of a minor second, which is a major seventh.
• Example 9.5.3B:
  • Example 9.5.3B1: Since the key of F𝄪F double sharp major or minor does not exist, we can use the inversion to identify the quality of this seventh.
  • Example 9.5.3B2: When we write E below F𝄪F double sharp, we see the interval is an augmented second.
    • E to F♯F sharp is a major second, and F𝄪F double sharp makes the interval a half step larger.
  • Example 9.5.3B3: To find the answer to the original question, you need to find the inversion of an augmented second, which is a diminished seventh.

Sevenths abound in Example 9.5.4. See if you can quickly recognize the qualities of the sevenths by using the inversion of a second. Also, identify the melodic sevenths in the bass clef.

Example 9.5.4. Sevenths in Scriabin, Etude, Op. 65, No. 2 – Allegretto

• All the sevenths in the treble clef are harmonic major sevenths. Some have unusual spellings (e.g., A𝄫A double flat and G♭G flat).
• All the sevenths in the bass clef are melodic minor sevenths. Some of these also have unusual spellings (e.g., E𝄫E double flat and F♭F flat).

In the last two chapters, we have explored how Scriabin’s Etudes Op. 65 feature three intriguing examples of intervals.

• Etude Op. 65, No. 1: Ninths (Chapter 9, Section 2. Compound Intervals)
• Etude Op. 65, No. 2: Sevenths (Chapter 9, Section 5. Shortcut: m7/M7)
• Etude Op. 65, No. 3: Perfect fifths (Chapter 8, Section 3. Shortcut: P4/P5)

Etude No. 2 (Example 9.5.4) is particularly intriguing because Scriabin combines harmonic major sevenths in the right hand with melodic minor sevenths in the left hand.

9.6  Enharmonically Equivalent Intervals

Previously, we learned that the inversion of an augmented fourth is a diminished fifth. These two intervals also have another interesting characteristic. Play Example 9.6.1 on the piano. What do you notice?

Example 9.6.1. Augmented fourth and diminished fifth

The augmented fourth sounds like the diminished fifth. Recall that when music sounds the same but is spelled differently, they are enharmonic equivalents. So far, we have learned about enharmonically equivalent notes (e.g., D and E ) and enharmonically equivalent keys (e.g., F major and G major). We can also have enharmonically equivalent intervals (e.g., +4 and ^o5). Example 9.6.2 shows just a few examples of enharmonically equivalent intervals.

Example 9.6.2. Enharmonically equivalent intervals

• Example 9.6.2A1: A minor third is enharmonically equivalent to an augmented second.
  • Example 9.6.2A2: The augmented second can be spelled by writing an enharmonically equivalent top note.
  • Example 9.6.2A3: The augmented second can be spelled by writing an enharmonically equivalent bottom note.
• Example 9.6.2B: A perfect fourth is enharmonically equivalent to an augmented third. By changing F to its enharmonically equivalent E, the interval changes from a perfect fourth to an augmented third.
• Example 9.6.2C: A major sixth is enharmonically equivalent to a diminished seventh. By changing A to G, the interval changes from a major sixth to a diminished seventh.

Although enharmonically equivalent intervals sound the same, it is important that you spell the interval correctly. Remember to always identify or write the interval number first.

Robert Schumann creates enharmonically equivalent intervals in Example 9.6.3.

Example 9.6.3. Enharmonically equivalent intervals: Schumann^[8], Dichterliebe, Op. 48, No. 12, “Am leuchtenden Sommermorgen” (“On a Bright Summer Morning”)

In “Am leuchtenden Sommermogen,” Schumann switches the pianist’s part to sharps while the vocalist maintains flats. As a result, enharmonically equivalent intervals occur. Each interval is based on the bass clef’s lowest note.

• Example 9.6.3A:
  • Example 9.6.3A1: The vocalist’s B creates a diminished fourth with the low F.
  • Example 9.6.3A2: At the same time, the pianist’s  A forms a major third with the low F.
  • The diminished fourth and the major third are enharmonically equivalent intervals.
• Example 9.6.3B:
  • Example 9.6.3B1: The vocalist’s D creates a diminished sixth with the low F.
  • Example 9.6.3B2: Meanwhile, the pianist’s C forms a perfect fifth with the low F.
  • The diminished sixth and the perfect fifth are enharmonically equivalent intervals.
• Example 9.6.3C:
  • Example 9.6.3C1: The vocalist’s D creates a diminished octave with the low B.
  • Example 9.6.3C2: Meanwhile, the pianist’s C forms a major second with the low B.
  • The diminished third and the major second are enharmonically equivalent intervals.
• Example 9.6.3D:
  • Example 9.6.3D1: The vocalist’s B creates a diminished ninth (or compound diminished second) with the low B.
  • Example 9.6.3D2: At the end of the bar, the pianist’s B forms a perfect octave with the low B.
  • The diminished ninth and the perfect octave are enharmonically equivalent intervals.

Why would Schumann write all these enharmonically equivalent intervals? Schumann did not accidentally use flats in the vocalist’s part and sharps in the piano’s part. Observe the lyrics: “Whisper and speak the flowers.” Schumann is able to convey uncertainty and confusion by combining flats and sharps while the vocalist sings about flowers speaking to him. While the piano part includes conventional perfect and major intervals, the vocalist’s part creates enharmonically equivalent diminished intervals.

9.7   TRITONE

In the last section, we learned that an augmented fourth and a diminished fifth are enharmonically equivalent intervals. These two intervals are also known as the tritone.  Tritone, which gets its name from “three tones,” refers to the three whole steps between notes in an augmented fourth.

Example 9.7.1. Tritone: three whole steps

In Example 9.7.1, the square brackets represent whole steps. Because the inversion of an augmented fourth is a diminished fifth and because the two intervals are enharmonically equivalent, we also call the diminished fifth a tritone even though it is literally not made of three whole steps.

In addition to being interval inversions and enharmonically equivalent, the tritone has several other unique characteristics. We learned about all the intervals in a major scale and a natural minor scale when you based the intervals from the tonic.

Example 9.7.2. Intervals from tonic

Although these scales contain a variety of intervals, the minor second is missing. However, when we look at intervals between all possible pairs of notes of the scale (i.e., not only notes paired with tonic), we can find two minor seconds:

• In a C major, there is a minor second between E and F, and between B and C.
• In a C natural minor, there is a minor second between D and E-flat, and between G and A-flat.

When we tally all the intervals found between all combinations of notes in the major and natural minor scales, we get the following results.

Example 9.7.3. Number of intervals

Notice that intervals are paired with their inversions. This is because although the distance from C up to B is a major seventh and the distance between its inversion (from B up to C) is a minor second, we do not count the interval between B and C twice. Therefore, it is only counted once in the m2/M7 category.

• There are two instances of minor seconds or major sevenths.
  • In major, they occur between E/F and B/C.
  • In minor, they occur between D/E-flat and G/A-flat.
• There are five instances of major seconds or minor sevenths.
  • In major, they occur between C/D, D/E, F/G, G/A, and A/B.
  • In minor, they occur between C/D, E-flat/F, F/G, A-flat/B-flat, and B-flat/C.
• There are four instances of minor thirds or major sixths.
  • In major, they occur between D/F, E/G, A/C, and B/D (i.e., the all-white-key minor thirds).
  • In minor, they occur between C/E-flat, D/F, F/A-flat, and G/B-flat.
• There are three instances of major thirds or minor sixths.
  • In major, they occur between C/E, F/G, and G/B (i.e., the all-white-key major thirds).
  • In minor, they occur between E-flat/G, A-flat/C, and B-flat/D.
• There are six instances of perfect fourths or perfect fifths.
  • In major, they occur between C/F, D/G, E/A, G/C, A/D, and B/E. This is why the accidentals match for all perfect fourths and fifths except for F/B.
  • In minor, they occur between C/F, D/G, E-flat/A-flat, F/B-flat, G/C, and B-flat/E-flat.
• There is only one instance of an augmented fourth or diminished fifth in major and one instance in minor.
  • In major, it occurs between F/B.
  • In minor, it occurs between A-flat/D.

This means that of all the intervals in any major or minor scale, the tritone is the only interval that only occurs once. Example 9.7.4 illustrates where the tritone appears in both the major and natural minor scales.

Example 9.7.4. Tritones in major and natural minor scales

Since there is only one tritone found in the major scale, and one tritone found in the natural minor scale, the tritone plays an important role as a key-defining interval. Let’s break down this statement.

• Example 9.7.4A: In major, the unique tritone is between and .
  • In C major, the tritone is between F and B.
  • This means that there is no other major scale that has both F and B, because the pair is unique only to C major.
  • If there is one sharp in a key signature, it is F-sharp; if there is one flat in a key signature, it is B-flat. Since C major has no sharps or flats, it is the only major key that has both F and B.
• Example 9.7.4B: In minor, the unique tritone is between and .
  • In C minor, the tritone is between D and A-flat.
  • This means that there is no other minor scale that has both D and A-flat, because the pair is unique only to C minor.
  • The order of flats is B-flat–-E-flat-–A-flat-–D-flat-–G-flat-–C-flat-–F-flat. If there are two flats, neither D nor A is flatted; if there are four flats, both D and A are flatted. Therefore, only C minor, which has three flats, has both D and A-flat.

Another important characteristic of the tritone is that the two notes that make up a tritone are tendency tones: notes that have a strong desire to move a certain way. Because there are half steps on either side of the tritone and half steps are twice as small as whole steps, tension creates the desire for notes to move in the direction of the half steps.

Example 9.7.5. Tendency tones in tritones (augmented fourth)

Half steps surrounding the tritone (i.e., the tendency tones) in both C major and C minor are represented by blue carets.

• Example 9.7.5A: In major, wants to resolve down to , while wants to resolve up to .
  • Recall that is also known as the leading tone, meaning that it leads to tonic.
  • In C major, F () wants to resolve down to E (), and B () wants to resolve up to C ().
• Example 9.7.5B: In minor, wants to resolve down to , while wants to resolve up to .
  • In C minor, A-flat () wants to resolve down to G (), and D () wants to resolve up to E-flat ().

As a result of these tendency tones, we see that a tritone in the form of an augmented fourth wants to resolve outward (Example 9.7.5A), while a tritone in the form of a diminished fifth wants to resolve inward (Example 9.7.5B).

Recall that when we analyze a piece in minor, it will usually use the harmonic minor or melodic minor scale, where is raised. This changes from the subtonic to the leading tone. As a result, another tritone is often formed in minor.

Example 9.7.6. Additional tritones in minor

• Example 9.7.6A: When the subtonic is raised to become the leading tone, there is a new tritone between and .
• Example 9.7.6B: Similarly, there is also a new tritone between and in the ascending melodic minor scale. Remember that the descending melodic minor scale returns back to the natural minor scale.

In both major and minor, the tendency tones in the tritone between and (raised in minor) play a powerful role. This tritone is so powerful that although there is a whole step (as opposed to a half step) between and in minor, the desire for to resolve down to still exists.

Example 9.7.7. Resolving and /raised in major and minor

• Example 9.7.7A: The members of the tritone in C major are F and B. In C major, (B) resolves up by half step to (C) and (F) resolves down by half step to (E).
  • A1: The augmented fourth resolves outward by half step in both notes.
  • A2: The diminished fifth resolves inward by half step in both notes.
• Example 9.7.7B: In C minor, a tritone is formed between F and B-natural with the raised (B-natural). In C minor, raised (B-natural) resolves up by half step to (C) and (F) resolves down by whole step to (E-flat). There is no longer a half step between (F) and (E-flat) because in minor, is lowered from mi to me. This forms a whole step between and . However, because the tritone between (fa) and (ti) is so strong, (fa) still wants to resolve down to (me).
  • B1: The augmented fourth still resolves outward by step, but there is a whole step between (F) and (E-flat).
  • B2: The diminished fifth still resolves inward by step, but again, there is a whole step between (F) and (E-flat).

In Example 9.7.8, we see how Beethoven resolves tritones.

Example 9.7.8. Resolved tritones: Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13, (“Pathètique”), i – Grave. Allegro di molto e con brio

• In the first system, there are three tritones. The pitches F-sharp and C form a tritone.
  • When F-sharp is below C, the tritone is a diminished fifth and when C is below F-sharp, the tritone is an augmented fourth.
  • Since F-sharp and C form a diminished fifth, we know that F-sharp is and C is . Based on how these tendency tones resolve, the first system is in the key of G major. Indeed, each tritone resolves to G and B, which are and in G major.
• In the second system, there are also three tritones. The pitches D-flat and G form a tritone.
  • When D-flat is below G, the tritone is an augmented fourth and when G is below D-flat, the tritone is a diminished fifth.
  • Since D-flat and G form an augmented fourth, we know that D-flat is and G is . Based on how these tendency tones resolve, the second system is in the key of A-flat major. Indeed, each tritone resolves to A-flat and C, which are and in A-flat major.

A simple way to identify the key of the example is to look for the leading tone of the tritone. The leading tone usually resolves up to tonic, which tells you the name of the key.

Click here to watch the tutorial.

Click here to watch the tutorial.

9.8   CONSONANCE AND DISSONANCE

In Section 9.6, we learned about enharmonically equivalent intervals: intervals that sound the same but are spelled differently. Based on how intervals are spelled, they can sound stable or unstable. Compare Examples 9.8.1A and B.

Example 9.8.1. Enharmonically equivalent intervals in context

• Example 9.8.1A: Listen to the boxed interval of a major sixth. There is a sense of stability in this interval, meaning that we could end with this interval.
• Example 9.8.1B: Now play only the first two intervals of this example. Do you hear how unstable the diminished seventh sounds? After the diminished seventh, we long to hear the following interval, which is stable. Now play all three chords—did you feel the sense of resolution after the third chord?

The major sixth in Example 9.8.1A and the diminished seventh in Example 9.8.1B are enharmonically equivalent intervals. However, a the major sixth sounded stable while the diminished seventh sounded unstable.

When an interval sounds stable, it is called a consonant interval; when an interval sounds unstable, it is called a dissonant interval. Within the consonant intervals, there are two types: perfect consonances and imperfect consonances. The perfect consonances are the most stable. Historically, music for two voices could only begin and end with perfect consonances.

You can think about the stability and instability of consonant and dissonant intervals by visualizing them with pyramids.

Example 9.8.2. Stability and instability

• Example 9.8.2A: Perfect consonances are very stable. Imagine having a pyramid shaped like Example 9.8.2A with a large base sitting on the table: It would be difficult to knock over.
• Example 9.8.2B: Imperfect consonances are also stable, but less stable than perfect consonances. If you had a pyramid shaped like Example 9.8.2B with a narrow base, it could stand on its own, but would be easy to accidentally knock over.
• Example 9.8.2C: Dissonances are unstable. If you had a pyramid shaped like Example 9.8.2C, the pyramid could not stand upright on its tip. As you will later see, dissonances must be treated with great care since they are so unstable.

The table below shows the most common intervals and whether they are a perfect consonance (PC), imperfect consonance (IC), or dissonance (D).

Example 9.8.3. Consonance and dissonance table

• There are a few statements that can help you remember the dissonant intervals:
  • All seconds and sevenths are dissonant.
  • All diminished and augmented intervals are dissonant.
  • Sometimes the perfect fourth is dissonant.
• Only the perfect intervals are perfect consonances (except the perfect fourth sometimes).
• This leaves the minor third, major third, minor sixth, and major sixth as imperfect consonances.

You may have noticed that the unison does not have a diminished version. This is because since intervals are based on the lower note, anything other that a perfect unison would be an augmented unison.

The perfect fourth can be a dissonance or a perfect consonance.^[9]

Example 9.8.4. Perfect fourth

• Sometimes the perfect fourth is dissonant.
  • Example 9.8.4A: When there are only two notes and a perfect fourth is a harmonic interval, then the perfect fourth is dissonant.
  • Example 9.8.4B: When there are more than two notes and a perfect fourth is a harmonic interval with the lowest note, then the perfect fourth is dissonant.
• Sometimes the perfect fourth is consonant.
  • Example 9.8.4C: When there are more than two notes and a perfect fourth is a harmonic interval but does not include the lowest note, then the perfect fourth is a perfect consonance.
  • Example 9.8.4D: When the perfect fourth is a melodic interval, it is a perfect consonance.

Composers often use a variety of consonant and dissonant intervals between the highest part and the lowest part. Example 9.8.5D illustrates the diversity of consonances and dissonances in a Szymanowska march.

Example 9.8.5. Consonant and dissonant intervals: Szymanowska^[10], March No. 1 in B-flat Major

The majority of intervals Szymanowska uses are consonant. However, the consonances are split between perfect consonances and imperfect consonances. Dissonant intervals are sprinkled throughout, but there are never two dissonances in a row.

Click here to watch the tutorial.

Click here to watch the tutorial.

9.9   TRANSPOSITION: INTERVALLIC

Recall that transposition refers to when you change all notes and rests equally by the same proportion. In Chapter 4, we learned about melodic transposition, when we rewrote music in a different key by using the same scale degrees with a different key signature. Intervallic transposition is similar to melodic transposition because it will result in a melody in a different key. However, the method to get the same result is different. With intervallic transposition, you transpose each note up or down by the same interval.

There are two methods to intervallic transposition:

• Method #1: Identify the intervals between each note and apply the same intervals to the transposed melody. Recall that the way that music rises and falls is called melodic contour. You must be precise with melodic contour.
• Method #2: Identify the interval between the first note of the melody and the first note of the transposed melody. Transpose the new melody by applying that interval to each note.

We will apply both methods to the melody in Example 9.9.1.

Example 9.9.1. Melody

For Method #1, apply the same interval between notes to the new starting pitches.

Example 9.9.2. Intervallic transposition using Method #1

• Example 9.9.2A: Beginning on D, the same intervals are applied.
  • A major third above D is F-sharp, so a sharp must be added.
• Example 9.9.2B: Beginning on E-flat, the same intervals are applied.
  • A minor third above G is B-flat, so a flat must be added.

Method #2 involves transposing each note of the melody by the same interval as the interval between the first note of the original melody and new melody.

Example 9.9.3. Intervallic transposition by Method #2

• Example 9.9.3A: Because the interval from B-flat₄ to D₅ is an ascending major third, write every note a major third higher for Example 9.9.3A2.
• Example 9.9.3B: Because the interval from B-flat₄ to E-flat₄ is a descending perfect fifth, write every note a perfect fifth lower for Example 9.9.3B2.

Example 9.9.4 illustrates intervallic transposition in a fugue by Clara Wieck Schumann. A fugue is a strict compositional technique in which the opening melody (called the subject) repeats throughout the work at specific intervals (called the answer).

Example 9.9.4. Intervallic transposition: Wieck Schumann^[11], Three Preludes and Fugues, Op. 16, Fugue No. 2

• The fugue begins with the melody (called the subject) in the lowest voice.
• In measure 4, a second voice (called the answer) enters with the melody. You can tell a second voice entered because of the stem directions. Beginning in measure 4, the stem direction of the first voice points down while the stem direction of the second voice points up.

Because the intervallic transposition may be difficult to see, Examples 9.9.5 and 9.9.6 show the subject and answer above one another. Example 9.9.5 uses Method #1.

Example 9.9.5. Intervallic transposition Method #1: Wieck Schumann, Three Preludes and Fugues, Op. 16, Fugue No. 2

Example 9.9.5 shows the intervals between pitches in the subject, then applies the same intervals in the answer. Notice that the melodic contour is the same. Alternatively, you can use Method #2 and complete intervallic transposition by rewriting every note in the answer a perfect fifth higher (Example 9.9.6).

Example 9.9.6. Intervallic transposition Method #2: Wieck Schumann, Three Preludes and Fugues, Op. 16, Fugue No. 2

In Example 9.9.6, the answer begins a perfect fifth higher than the subject. Applying Method #2, each note from the answer is then written a perfect fifth higher than each note of the subject.

Listen to Example 9.9.4 again and how the answer enters while the first voice is still playing. Fugues have a polyphonic texture, meaning that there is more than one voice with the melody at the same time. It may seem that voice entries would be difficult to hear but composers intentionally write distinctive openings to their fugal subjects that can easily be distinguished.

Click here to watch the tutorial.

9.10   ANALYSIS: BRAHMS, SYMPHONY NO. 4

Intervals can play an important role in some pieces. Look at Example 9.10.1, which is the opening melody of Brahms’s Fourth Symphony.

Example 9.10.1. Brahms^[12], Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98, i – Allegro non troppo

The violins begin with this lulling melody, with ascending and descending pairs of notes. When we analyze the pairs of notes, we see that the intervals are a descending major third, ascending minor sixth, descending minor third, and ascending minor sixth. What relationship do thirds and sixths have? They are interval inversions.

Since sixths are the inversion of thirds, we can invert the sixths to create this reinterpretation of the opening melody:

Example 9.10.2. Melody with inversions

https://tamucc.pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-11-at-4.07.06-AM.png

In Example 9.10.2, the two ascending sixths are inverted to become descending thirds. By inverting the sixths into thirds, we see a pattern of four pairs of descending thirds.

What about the relationship between the pairs? If we look at each note on either side of each quarter rest, we see there is the potential for more thirds.

Example 9.10.3. Melody as thirds

Example 9.10.3 includes the thirds between the pairs of notes. Amazingly, the opening of Brahms’s Fourth Symphony is simply made of descending thirds. If Brahms wrote the opening like in Example 9.10.3, it would be quite boring. However, with the use of inversions, he created a beautiful melody that did not sound like a chain of descending thirds.

The descending thirds return in the fourth movement, almost in a humorously obvious way (Example 9.10.4).

Example 9.10.4. Descending thirds: Brahms, Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98,

The excerpt begins with six notes moving in descending thirds.

• Beginning on beat 2, the first and second violins play descending thirds an octave apart. The first violins start on E₆ and the second violins start on E₅.
• Beginning on the downbeat, the cellos and double basses play descending thirds an octave apart. (The double bass sounds an octave lower than what is written.) The cellos start on E₄ and the double basses start on E₃.
• This means that there are four parts in four octaves playing the same descending thirds, but two instruments begin one beat later, creating a canon. A canon is a type of polyphonic texture in which the same melody repeats in another voice, while overlapping the first voice.

After each instrument plays B, there is a large ascending leap, seemingly breaking the chain of descending thirds.

• Between beats 1 and 2 of measure 243, the first and second violins leap up from B₄ and B₃ up to G₆ and G₅.
• Across the bar line between measures 242 and 243, the cellos and basses leap up from B₂ and B₁ to G₄ and G₃.

Upon closer inspection, the chain of descending thirds is not broken, as the leap from B up to G is a compound sixth: the inversion of a third (Example 9.10.5).

Example 9.10.5. Interval inversions

• Example 9.10.5A: The circled interval is extremely large. It is an ascending compound minor sixth.
• Example 9.10.5B: When inverting the interval, the higher note becomes the lower note. Here G₆ is moved down two octaves so that it is now below B₄. Its inversion of a third becomes clear when put in context with the previous notes.

Just as Brahms had done in the opening of the first movement, he uses a series of descending thirds near the end of the finale. What makes the thirds in the fourth movement humorous is how blatantly Brahms exposes the descending thirds. While they are quite hidden in the opening, they are forte and in four octaves in the finale. One can imagine that if the strings did not have an issue with range, they would have only played descending thirds without having to use any interval inversions. As you start listening to and analyzing music, finding compositional devices can be a delightful surprise.

SUMMARY

1. 1. 1. When you make a perfect or major interval a half step larger, it becomes augmented. When you make a perfect or minor interval a half step smaller, it becomes diminished. [9.1]
      2. Compound intervals are intervals larger than an octave. The exceptions are the ninth and tenth, since they are fairly common. [9.2]
      3. When you invert an interval, the bottom note becomes the top note and vice versa. [9.3]
         • The inversion of perfect is perfect; the inversion of major is minor (and vice versa); and the inversion of diminished is augmented (and vice versa).
         • The inversion of interval numbers adds up to nine.
      4. When writing intervals below a given note, it may be helpful to first write the interval inversion above to find your answer. [9.4]
      5. The shortcut for sevenths is to use the inversion to find the quality of the seventh. A minor second is a diatonic half step and a major second is a diatonic whole step. [9.5]
      6. Enharmonically equivalent intervals are intervals that sound the same but are spelled differently. [9.6]
      7. The tritone is a unique key-defining interval that is either an augmented fourth or a diminished fifth. [9.7]
      8. Consonant intervals are stable while dissonant intervals are unstable. [9.8]
         • Perfect consonances include the P1, P4 (sometimes), P5, and P8.
         • Imperfect consonances include the m3, M3, m6, and M6.
         • All other intervals are dissonances. The perfect fourth is sometimes dissonant.
      9. Intervallic transposition is when you transpose each note by the same interval. [9.9]
      10. Brahms’s Fourth Symphony begins with a descending third, which returns through the movement and entire piece. [9.10]

TERMS

• • • answer
    • augmented interval (+)
    • canon
    • compound interval
    • consonant interval
    • diminished interval (^o)
    • dissonant interval
    • enharmonically equivalent intervals
    • fugue
    • imperfect consonance
    • interval inversion
    • intervallic transposition
    • perfect consonance
    • polyphony (polyphonic texture)
    • simple interval
    • subject
    • tendency tones
    • tritone