note and interval names? Simple question..
chris jones
fretboard. It also teaches you think relative to a specific root note
by asking you interval based questions on the fretboard. All with nice fancy
graphics :) So i have come to somthing i am unsure about...
The program randomly chooses sharps/flats for the note names. So every 12
questions it will randomise the names of the notes in the octave ane they
would be named somthing like
A,Bb,B,C,C#,D,D,E,F,Gb,G,G#
but i am unsure whether Cb,B# and E#,Fb are relevant? Basicly each note can
have one or two names, so 'A' obviously has one name and 'A#' has two
because it can be 'Bb' aswell. But do i need Cb,B#,Fb,E#? I mean should B be
only 'B' or 'Cb' also?
I hope i am making sense :)
The other problem is the names of the intervals in an octave, do i need to
have duplicate names for some intervals like 'b5th', does that also need to
be '#4th'.
is it minor2nd or flat 2nd?
The whole point of the interval quiz is to be so that if you know the scale
spelling and the key you can play anywhere because the program will train
you to think of the fretboard relative to a specific root note. I decided
this was a good thing because its how my brain works. I dont think i am
playing in G Major which containes these notes, i think i am playing in G
Major which is G root and these intervals.
Also if a few people want to try the program and tell me what they think i
would be gratefull. It will probably make more sense then :) It is about
1.2MB and i can put it online or email it whichever suits.
Its going to be free anyway but i want to get a bit of feedback before i
release it proper. So if you are interested drop me an email at
thanks,
chris
Jeremey Poparad
1) is it minor2nd or flat 2nd?
It would be minor 2nd. The five qualities of an interval can be are Major,
minor, perfect, augmented, diminished.
2) do i need to have duplicate names for some intervals like 'b5th', does
that also need to be '#4th'.
Yes, you do need to duplicate. An augmented 4th up from C is spelled as F#,
while a diminished fifth up from C is spelled Gb. The reason for including
both ways is that you use a b5 and a #4 in different contexts. For example,
a m7b5 chord contains a b5, but can also contain a natural 4th. A maj7#11
chord contains a #11 (same as #4) but also has a natural fifth. So
functionally you find the same interval called different things because it's
used in a slightly different way. The first example alters the fifth degree
while the second uses an alterd 4th degree.
3) but i am unsure whether Cb,B# and E#,Fb are relevant? Basicly each note
can have one or two names, so 'A' obviously has one name and 'A#' has two
because it can be 'Bb' as well. But do i need Cb,B#,Fb,E#? I mean should B
be only 'B' or 'Cb' also?
This is an important issue when dealing with learning intervals. C-Bb is a
different interval from C-A#. While they're both the same enharmonically,
one is a m7 while the other is an Augmented 6th. When making your interval
tables make sure to include an interval for every enharmonic note. Here's
the general rule when naming intervals:
any interval 1 letter name apart is a 2nd, i.e. C-D, D-E, E-F, etc
any interval 2 letter names apart is a 3rd, e.e. C-E, D-F, E-G, etc
3 letters is a 4th, 4 letters a 5th, etc, untill you reach 7 letter names
which is an octave.
As for qualities, here's how they work:
Primes (same letter name), Fourths, Fifths, and Octaves are "Perfect"
intervals
2nds, 3rds, 6ths, and 7ths are Major/minor.
Now when you begin to add chromatic alteration to these notes is when things
get messy.
With perfect intervals, refer to the major scale as to what they are in
their normal state, i.e. to find the note a perfect 4th up from B, spell out
B major, and count to the 4th degree, E, and there's a perfect 4th. Count
to the fifth, F#, and you have a perfect fifth. Now, when altering a
perfect interval you get the following options:
Diminished - Perfect - Augmented
B-F B-F# B-Fx (x=double sharp)
C-Gb C-G C-G#
Remember, they have to be the right letters, because B-Gb is not a fifth,
even though it's enharmonically the same as F#.
With major/minor intervals, once again reference the major scale to see if
you need a sharp of flat infront first. The 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th scale
degrees in the major scale are all Major intervals. So in the key of Eb (Eb
F G Ab Bb C D Eb) Eb-F is a major 2nd, Eb-G is a major 3rd, Eb-C is a
major sixth, and Eb-D is a major seventh. The options in altering
major/minor intervals are such:
Diminished - minor - Major - Augmented
Eb-Dbb Eb-Db Eb-D Eb-D#
C-Bbb C-Bb C-B C-B#
Once again, make sure you spell the intervals with the right notes.
Now, you probably won't have to put in Diminished or Augmented intervals
from the Major/minor catogory (2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th) as they are very
uncommon, but it is nessessary to include diminished and augmented perfect
intervals (well, mostly 4ths and 5ths) since they are commonly encountered
in music. Now if you want a good all around brain excercise it would be
good to include all the permutations of all the intervals just to ensure a
good all-around grap on the concept. The more messy intervals (such as dim
and aug 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, primes, octaves) would be a little confusing for
beginners so perhaps an option in you program to only quiz on "Major
intervals" or "Minor intervals" or "Perfect Intervals" or combinations of
those and have aug/dim intervals a seperate option for those willing to take
them on.
I hope I was able to provide some assistance. If you would like to contact
me for further consultation with this feel free to e-mail me!
Jeremey Poparad
jjp...@spam.uakron.edu