Learning intervals on the guitar

🎵 What Are Intervals?

An interval is the distance between two notes.

🎯 Example:

• C to E → Major 3rd
• E to G → Minor 3rd

Each interval has a sound and a shape on the guitar.

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🧠 Music Theory Basics (Know These First)

• 1 semitone = 1 fret
• 1 whole step = 2 frets
• Musical alphabet: A B C D E F G
• Enharmonic notes: C# = Db, D# = Eb, etc.
• Major scale formula: W W H W W W H (W = whole step, H = half step)

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📊 Common Intervals to Memorize

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🎸 Interval Shapes on Guitar (E & A Strings)

Assume you're starting from the 6th string (E) or 5th string (A):

• Root + Major 2nd → 2 frets forward, same string
• Root + Major 3rd → 1 string down, 1 fret back (diagonal)
• Root + Perfect 5th → 1 string down, 2 frets forward (power chord)
• Root + Octave → 2 strings down, 2 frets forward

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🧠 How to Practice Intervals (Daily Routine)

1. Learn shapes on one string

• Pick a root (e.g., G)
• Play: G → A (M2), G → B (M3), G → C (P4), etc.
• Ascend and descend

2. Sing them aloud

• Play and say: “G → B… Major 3rd”
• Builds ear training

3. Practice within a scale

• C Major scale: C–D–E–F–G–A–B–C
• Try jumps: C → E (M3), D → F (m3), E → G (m3), etc.

4. Apply to chords

• Major chord = Root + M3 + P5
• Minor chord = Root + m3 + P5

5. Improvise with intervals

• Pick 2 intervals (e.g., M3 & P5)
• Create short melodic phrases

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🎧 Bonus: Learn to Hear Intervals with Songs

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🧐 “Isn’t C to E a Major 4th?”

Nope. It’s a Major 3rd. Let’s break it down:

✅ Why?

In music theory, intervals are based on letter names, not just fret count.

C to E:

• C → D → E = 3 letter steps → It’s a 3rd
• Count semitones:
  • C → C# → D → D# → E = 4 semitones

→ 4 semitones = Major 3rd

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🤯 Why Not Go by Frets Only?

Fret count gives you semitones, not the interval class.

• C to E = 4 semitones = Major 3rd
• C to F = 5 semitones = Perfect 4th

Even though both are only 1 fret apart, they’re different intervals.

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📏 Visual: C Major Scale Reference

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🎸 On the Fretboard

• C = 8th fret on 6th string
• E = 12th fret → 4 frets higher = 4 semitones = Major 3rd

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✅ Summary

✔ Semitones define the quality (major, minor, perfect)

✔ Letter names define the number (2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.)