INTERVALS -- UNISONS

AND SECONDS

 An interval is the distance between two

notes, counting in alphabetical
succession both notes and any notes in
between them. An interval is said to be
harmonic when the two tones sound
simultaneously and melodic when the
tones sound in succession.
Example 2-a

 A perfect unison (P1) occurs when two

(or more) tone-producing agents sound
the same pitch .
Example 2-b

 A half-step is the smallest interval found between

any two adjacent keys on a keyboard.
Example 2-c

 A whole-step is the interval which includes two

adjacent half steps.
Example 2-d

 A minor second (m2) is a half-step which is

written using alphabetically adjacent notes.
Example 2-e

 A major second (m2) is a whole-step

which is written using alphabetically
adjacent notes.
Example 2-f

 An augmented unison (A1) is a half-step written

using the same letter for both notes, one note
being inflected up or down by means of an
accidental
Example 2-g

 An augmental second (A2) is a second which

includes three half-steps.
Example 2-h

 A diminished second (d2)(rare) is one half step

smaller
than
a
minor
second,
and
is
enharmonically equivalent to a perfect unison.
Example 2-i

 If no sharps or flats are present, all of the seconds

on a staff are major seconds except two: b to c
and e to f, which are minor seconds.
Example 2-j