5.7 Inversion of intervals
Category: Harmony | Tags: Intervals, Ear training: intervals |
Theory
In this chapter, you will learn how to invert intervals by playing the lowest note one octave higher. You are going to invert intervals yourself in the exercise. You will also learn to distinguish major and minor seconds and thirds, and perfect fourths and fifths by ear.
1. Minor second - major seventh
The lowest tone of the minor second E F is played one octave higher.
We then get the notes F E; this interval is a major seventh.
Examples
2. Major second - minor seventh
The lowest tone of the major second C D is played one octave higher.
We then get the notes D C; this interval is a minor seventh.
Examples
3. Minor third - major sixth
The lowest tone of the minor third D F is played one octave higher.
We then get the notes F D; this interval is a major sixth.
Examples
4. Major third - minor sixth
The lowest tone of the major third C E is played one octave higher.
We then get the notes E C; this interval is a minor sixth.
Examples
5. Perfect fourth - perfect fifth
The lowest tone of the perfect fourth C F is played one octave higher.
We then get the notes F C; this interval is a perfect fifth.
Examples
6. Perfect fifth - perfect fourth
The lowest tone of the perfect fifth C G is played one octave higher.
We then get the notes G C; this interval is a perfect fourth.
Examples
7. Minor sixth - major third
The lowest tone of the minor sixth E C is played one octave higher.
We then get the notes C E; this interval is a major third.
Examples
8. Major sixth - minor third
The lowest tone of the major sixth C A is played one octave higher.
We then get the notes A C; this interval is a minor third.
Examples
9. Minor seventh - major second
The lowest tone of the minor seventh D C is played one octave higher.
We then get the notes C D; this interval is a major second.
Examples
10. Major seventh - minor second
The lowest tone of the major seventh C B is played one octave higher.
We then get the notes B C; this interval is a minor second.
Examples
11. Highest tone one octave lower
When an interval is inverted by playing the highest tone one octave lower, instead of the lowest tone one octave higher, the inversions are the same; only played in different octaves, one higher, the other lower.
Examples
12. Interval pairs
An interval and it's inversion belong together and are called an interval pair.
There are three interval pairs:
- second-seventh
- third-sixth
- fourth-fifth
13. Practise
Harmony exercise 5a: practise making inversions of intervals.
Get the full course14. Ear training
Practise
Ear Training exercise 5f: practise distinguishing the difference between a major and minor second and third, perfect fourth and fifth by ear.
Ear Training exercise 5g: practise distinguishing the difference between a major and minor second and third, perfect fourth and fifth by ear. The intervals are only played harmonically.
Get the full courseExample question
Which interval do you hear?
Choise 1: minor second
Choise 2: major second
Choise 3: minor third
Choise 4: major third
Choise 5: perfect fourth
Choise 6: perfect fifth
Practical steps
Sing the interval being played to train your inner hearing abilties. Decide which interval is being played.
Answer: major third.
Summary
Inversion of intervals
An interval is inverted by playing the lowest note one octave higher.
There are three interval pairs:
- second-seventh
- third-sixth
- fourth-fifth
Inversion of intervals |
|
Interval | Inversion |
minor second | major seventh |
major second | minor seventh |
minor third | major sixth |
major third | minor sixth |
perfect fourth | perfect fifth |
perfect fifth | perfect fourth |
minor sixth | major third |
major sixth | minor third |
minor seventh | major second |
major seventh | minor second |
Practise
Harmony exercise 5a: practise making inversions of intervals.
Get the full courseEar training
Ear Training exercise 5f: practise distinguishing the difference between a major and minor second and third, perfect fourth and fifth by ear.
Ear Training exercise 5g: practise distinguishing the difference between a major and minor second and third, perfect fourth and fifth by ear. The intervals are only played harmonically.
Get the full course