Music Learn™

Music Theory Lesson: Correct Spelling of Intervals

Objective: To learn the principles of correctly spelling musical intervals, ensuring accuracy and clarity in musical notation.

Introduction to Interval Spelling

Definition: Spelling an interval involves identifying the correct letter names and accidentals (sharps, flats, naturals) for the two notes that form the interval.

Principles of Correct Spelling

1. Maintain the Correct Letter Names:
   • Each interval must span the correct number of letter names. For example, a third from C must go to some form of E (E, E♭, or E♯), not to F♭ or D♯.
2. Understand Interval Qualities:
   • Perfect intervals (unisons, fourths, fifths, and octaves) become diminished when narrowed by a half step and augmented when widened by a half step:
   • Major intervals (seconds, thirds, sixths, and sevenths) become minor when narrowed by a half step, diminished when narrowed further, and augmented when widened:

Common Mistakes in Spelling

• Incorrect Letter Span:
  • Using an incorrect span of letter names, such as spelling a fifth from C♯ to G♯ (correct) versus C# to A♭ (incorrect because it spans five letter names, not six).
• Enharmonic Confusion:
  • Misusing enharmonics, like for example in C-minor spelling a minor second from D to D#  instead of D to E♭.

Examples of Correct Spelling

• Major Third from C in C-Major:
  • Correct: C to E.
  • Incorrect: C to F♭ (even though F♭ sounds like E, it does not maintain the correct letter span).
• Diminished Fifth from E in F-Major:
  • Correct: E to B♭.
  • Incorrect: E to A♯ (even though B♭ and A♯ sound the same, B♭ maintains the correct letter span for a fifth).

Tips for Practicing Interval Spelling

1. Use a Keyboard or Staff:
   • Visualizing intervals on a keyboard or staff can help understand the correct letter spans and accidentals.
2. Practice with Flashcards:
   • Create flashcards for different intervals to test yourself on spelling.
3. Write and Analyze Music:
   • Practice writing intervals as part of melodies and chords, and analyze intervals in existing pieces of music to see how they are correctly spelled.

Exercises

1. Interval Writing:
   • Write various intervals from given notes, focusing on correct spelling.
2. Identification and Correction:
   • Identify incorrectly spelled intervals in written music and correct them.
3. Composition:
   • Compose short melodies or chord progressions, paying close attention to the correct spelling of all intervals.

Conclusion

Correctly spelling intervals is crucial for clear and accurate musical communication. Mastery of interval spelling supports effective composition, analysis, and performance, reinforcing the foundational knowledge essential for advanced music theory studies.

This lesson emphasizes the importance of correctly spelling intervals in music, detailing common principles and mistakes, and providing exercises to practice and reinforce accurate interval spelling.