Here is a Java 1.1 applet I created to help me learn Musical Scale Intervals. You'll need a 1.1 enabled browser to see it.

If your connection to the net is indirect (read slow - at home this page comes up in just less than 1 minute on a 42kbps connection. The JAR file is around 300KB.) you may want to read some of the following while you wait.

• Music Theory: All you need to play
• How to Play
• Scoring
• Mnemonics

The term Interval refers to an unfortunately complex model which describes a simple concept; the distance between musical tones.

Our musical scale is composed of 12 tones (an Octave is 7 natural tones and 5 accidentals). The distance between two adjacent tones is called a half-step. Intervals are numbered from Unison or 1st (0 half-steps) through Octave or 8th (12 half-steps). To describe these 12 unique tones using only 8 numbers we qualify the numbers with what I call an Adjustment (Major, Minor, Perfect, Augmented or Diminished).

Adjustments:
• All intervals can be Augmented. This increases the interval distance by 1 half-step from the Major or Perfect Interval.
• Four of the intervals (2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th) can be Major or Minor. Minor reduces the number of half-steps from Major by one. If one of these intervals is Diminished, the half-steps are reduced by one more half-step(a whole step down from the Major).
• The remaining intervals can be described as Perfect (1st or Unison, 4th, 5th, and 8th or Octave). If one of these intervals is Diminished it is reduced a half step from the Perfect.

I can't say I understand why it needs to be so complex. If it were up to me I'd leave it at half-steps but alas, it's not. There's a whole body of good information grown up around this model. If you want to learn about western music this stuff is fundamental. Like a rite of passage I guess.

At any rate, being able to differentiate between intervals is very useful. If you know the half-step values of the intervals, you can pick out the notes easily on an instrument. You will find that each interval has a unique, emotional quality. Developing your ability to recognize these differences is called ear-training and that's what this applet is all about.

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How to Play:

1. Press <Start Round> to begin a round. A round is 10 turns.
2. At the beginning of a turn the app will play two tones. The chosen root and a random tone (between the root and its octave).
3. Try to identify (1) their nearest interval and (2) the appropriate adjustment (Augmented, Diminished etc.). There are multiple correct answers (i.e. Augmented 4th/Diminished 5th).
4. When you have selected the interval you want, click <OK> or press the space bar. If you are correct the <OK> button will flash green and the next turn will begin. If you are incorrect the <OK> button will flash red and the tones will be repeated. You have three tries to identify an interval before it is identified for you, at which point the next turn begins.

• HINT: If you don't recognize the interval, press <Hint> and a clue will appear under the control buttons. There is no penalty for this, but it does count against the time bonus.
• CHOOSE ROOT: At the beginning of a round you may choose an alternate Root tone.
• PAUSE/RESUME: You can Pause/Resume the round by toggling the <Pause> Button.
• REPLAY TONES: If you want to hear the pair again press <Replay Tones>. There is no penalty for this, but it does count against the time bonus.

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Scoring:

The timer counts down from 100 points in 120 seconds. If you finish before this you are awarded a bonus of the remaining points. There is no additional penalty for going over time. The bonus remaining is shown at the bottom of the applet.

You begin with 100 points and can earn a time bonus for each new round. This is not currently remembered when you leave the page.

Each incorrect identification costs you 5 points.

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Mnemonics:

If you ask for a hint and it still doesn't help, you can check this table. There's a better cheat but its a secret. Send me email and maybe I'll tell you.

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This app is untested at this time. Please contact me at dmkahn@earthlink.net if you note any bugs or inconsistencies.

Known Bugs:

• In IE4 there's an unidentifiable click before each tone.
• There's a dark area to the right of the interval selection.

Last updated by Daniel Kahn on 7/2/1998 - HOME
© 1998 Daniel Kahn. All Rights Reserved