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Below the summary of interval rules is a test for finding all the intervals you have learned. You would do well to continue practicing finding intervals above and below any note. After this test, you can continue to drill. Just name a random note to start and pick an interval (above or below) to find. There is a chart of all interval answers for intervals above and below every note in the appendix at the back of the book. Use it to check your answers (if needed) when you are drilling verbally. Before taking this test, review the methods for finding the various intervals above and below a note.

Summary of Interval Rules and Interval Test

Note Naming Rule: The note name of your interval spelling answer will always correspond to the number of letters from the given note. For example, a Major 3^rd above A is C# and not Db, because C is three notes from A counting A as one.

Perfect Prime - A Perfect Prime is always the exact same note as the given note (zero half steps)

2^nds - Count one half step for minor 2^nds and two half steps for Major 2^nds. For half steps above, you will be counting in ascending alphabetic order (moving right on a piano keyboard). For half steps below, count in descending alphabetic order (moving left on a piano keyboard).

3^rds - Just count one step forward (for above) or backward (for below) in the Cycle of Thirds. Determine what type of 3^rd you have counted to (Major 3^rd- with 4 half steps or a minor 3^rd - with 3 half steps). If it matches the 3^rd type you want then you are done. If it does not match the desired 3^rd type, convert the 3^rd to the type you want by adding one half step to convert from a minor to a Major 3^rd, or subtracting one half step to convert from a Major to a minor 3^rd. For example, if you want a Major 3^rd below D, count backwards one step. However, when you count backwards one step in the Cycle of Thirds, we find that D to B down is a minor 3^rd (lesson 2). So you must add a half step down to make a Major 3^rd and that gives us Bb. (Review Lesson 2 if this is unclear)

5^ths - A Perfect 5^th (seven half steps) above a note is found by counting two steps forward in the Cycle of Thirds. A Perfect 5^th below a note is found by counting two steps backward in the Cycle of Thirds. Remember to adjust for BF and FB by one half step.

4^ths- To find a Perfect 4^th (five half steps) above or below a note, count in the opposite direction as you would to find a Perfect 5^th. Focus on learning 5^ths well. When you master finding 5^ths then just reverse the direction for 4^ths. (4^ths above = count two steps backwards, 4^ths below = count two steps forwards). Adjust for BF and FB.

6^ths - Convert each Major 6^th (nine half steps) or minor 6^th (eight half steps) above or below to its inverted 3^rd form and find the note name for that 3^rd. For example, the note that is a Major 6^th above C has the same letter name as the note that is a minor 3^rd below C. To find the inverted third below, just count backwards one step from C. That note is A. When inverting, follow the rules for determining if the 3^rd you land on needs to have a half step added or subtracted in order to make it a Major or minor 3^rd.

7^ths - Convert each Major 7^th (eleven half steps) or minor 7^th (ten half steps) above or below to its inverted 2^nd form and find the note name of that 2^nd. For example, a minor 7^th below C has the same letter name as the note that is a Major 2^nd above C. That note is D.

8^ths - A Perfect 8^th ( twelve half steps) above or below is always the same letter name as the starting note. A Perfect 8^th above E# is E# one octave higher.

Intervals Test 1:

Fill in the blanks with the note that is the named interval above the given note. Use the interval charts on the answer charts page to check your answers.

For the purpose of abbreviation the modifier will be represented by one letter (M, m, P) and the number part of the interval name will just list the number without the superscript ending (^nd, ^rd, ^th).      M = Major     m = minor     P = Perfect      Example: m3 = minor 3^rd

Intervals Test 2:

Fill in the blanks with the note that is the named interval below the given note. Use the interval charts on the answer charts page to check your answers.

For the purpose of abbreviation the modifier will be represented by one letter (M, m, P) and the number part of the interval name will just list the number without the superscript ending (^nd, ^rd, ^th).   M = Major     m = minor     P = Perfect  Example: P5 = Perfect Fifth

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for Practicing Interval Spelling