Intervallic Structure

Definition

Intervallic structure refers to the relationship between two pitches in terms of their distance apart. It helps determine whether an interval is major, minor, perfect, augmented, or diminished.

Analogy

Imagine intervallic structure as measuring distances between buildings. Just like different buildings can be close together or far apart from each other, intervals can have varying distances between them.

Related terms

Pitch Level: Pitch level refers to the perceived highness or lowness of a sound and is determined by frequency.

Half Steps: Half steps are the smallest intervals used in Western music and refer to moving from one pitch to its immediate neighbor on a keyboard or fretboard.

Whole Steps: Whole steps are double the size of half steps and consist of skipping one key on a keyboard or two adjacent frets on a guitar.