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From Interval (music)

Number
In Western harmonic theory, intervals are labeled according to the number of scale steps or staff positions they encompass, as shown at right.

Intervals larger than an octave are called compound intervals; for example, a tenth is known as a compound third. The quality of the compound interval is determined by the quality of the interval on which it is based. For example, a perfect eleventh is the same as a compound perfect fourth.

Intervals larger than a thirteenth seldom need to be spoken of, most often being referred to by their compound names, for example "two octaves plus a fifth" rather than "a 19th".

The name or the label of an interval is determined by counting the number of diatonic degrees between the two notes beginning with one for the lower note. The number of degrees between C and G for example is 5, therefore the interval is a fifth.