8. TONES, SEMITONES & ACCIDENTALS
In music, the distance between notes is measured in TONES and SEMITONES.
Tone
A tone is a large distance between two notes (It is made of two semitones)
Semitone
A semitone is a small distance between two notes.
ACTIVITY
Accidentals
Accidentals are symbols that change the pitch of a note.
Sharp (♯) => raises a note by one semitone.
Flat (♭) => lowers a note by one semitone.
ACTIVITY
Write the tones or semitones between the notes
9. INTERVALOS
What is an interval?
An interval is the distance between two notes. It is measured in tones and semitones (1 tone = 2 semitones).
To find the interval, we count all the notes from the first to the last — including both.
Example:
Interval: DO - LA
Do (1), Re (2), Mi (3), Fa (4), Sol (5), La (6) - The interval is a sixth.
ACTIVITY:
Write down and classify the following intervals in your notebook.
1)
2)
INTERVAL QUALITY (especie de los intervalos):
Each interval also has a quality, depending on its tones and semitones.
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4ths, 5ths, and 8ths → can be → Diminished - Perfect - Augmented.
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2nds, 3rds, 6ths, and 7ths → can be → Diminished, Minor, Major, or Augmented.
How to calculate interval quality
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Make a reference scale:
Write the Do major scale (no sharps or flats) from low DO to high DO. -
Count the tones and semitones between each note.
This will be your “cheat sheet.” -
Compare any new interval with the C major model:
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If it matches the same number of tones/semitones →
- It’s Perfect (for 4th, 5th, 8th)
- It's Major (for 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th).
- It’s Perfect (for 4th, 5th, 8th)
-
If the tones/semitones don’t match
When the number of tones or semitones is different, it means the interval has been raised or lowered by one or more semitones.
Order of qualities:
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For 4th, 5th, 8th: diminished "-1" – Perfect – "+1" augmented
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For 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th: diminished "-1" – minor "-1" – Major – augmented
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ACTIVITY
Accidentals and intervals
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A sharp (#) raises a note by one semitone.
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A flat (b) lowers a note by one semitone.
ACTIVITY
