MUSIC THEORY

Music 221

Mod 7

Subject of the Day: Imperfect Intervals & Inversions of Intervals
Reading Assignment: Kostka, Tonal Harmony; pp.
Written Assignment: Wkbk; Ex. 1-5 B & C (handout)
Semester Schedule

Imperfect Intervals

The second group of intervals is called Imperfect. These consist of seconds, thirds, sixths, and sevenths. Intervals in this group may be major (M), minor (mi), augmented (+), or diminished (o)

A major interval made smaller becomes minor; a minor interval made larger becomes major. A minor interval made smaller becomes diminished; a diminished interval made larger becomes minor. A major interval made larger becomes augmented; an augmented interval made smaller becomes major. (o < mi < M < +)

A M2 contains 2 half steps; a mi2 contains 1. There are only two mi2 (E-F, B-C). All others are M2.

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A M7 contains 11 half steps; a mi7 contains 10. There are only two M7 (F-E, C-B). All others are mi7.

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A M3 contains 4 half steps; a mi3 contains 3. There are three M3 (C-E, F-A, G-B); all others are mi3.

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A mi6 contains 8 half steps; a M6 contains 9. There are three mi6 (E-C, A-F, B-G); all others are M6.

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Inversion of Intervals

An interval is inverted when the upper note becomes the lower and the lower note becomes the upper; this can be accomplished by either note going to the octave across the other.

Numerical inversion:
            8ve inverted becomes 1 (unison)
            7th inverted becomes 2nd
            6th inverted becomes 3rd
           5th inverted becomes 4th
            4th inverted becomes 5th
            3rd inverted becomes 6th
            2nd inverted becomes 7th
            1 (unison) inverted becomes 8ve

Quality inversion:

When an perfect interval is inverted it remains perfect

When a major interval is inverted it becomes minor; minor inverted becomes major

When an augmented interval is inverted it becomes diminished; diminished inverted
becomes augmented



                    P  - inv -  P

                    M  - inv -  mi

                    +  - inv -  o

Examples: A M3 inverts to a mi6; o5 inverts to an +4

Extra drill on constructing intervals can be found by clicking on http://www.emusictheory.com/drillIntervals.html

This page is designed to assist students enrolled in Music 221 - Music Theory. If you had difficulty in class with the contents of this lesson, this may help you to comprehend the material. If you missed the presentation in class, this may help to update the material for you.

If you still have questions, contact Dr. Bartolotta at wbartolo@odu.edu

William S. Bartolotta

Music Department

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA 23529