Steps and intervals

Half steps and whole steps

The distance between two notes is called an interval. Think of it like the gap between two stairs.

The smallest gap is a half step: from one key to the very next key, black or white. Two half steps make a whole step. So C to C♯ is a half step, and C to D is a whole step.

One sneaky thing: E to F and B to C are half steps too, because there’s no black key between them.

Naming intervals

Bigger intervals get names from counting letters. C up to E is a “3rd” (C, D, E: three letters). C up to G is a “5th”. Each one has its own vibe: the 5th sounds strong and powerful, the major 3rd sounds happy, the tritone sounds creepy.

Below, press a key to pick a starting note, then try each interval button to hear it.

Hearing intervals

A trick musicians use is to link each interval to a tune you know. A perfect 5th is the first two notes of the Star Wars theme (and of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”). An octave is the first two notes of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. The creepy tritone is all over horror movie soundtracks.

Fun fact: the “power chords” in rock and metal are just a note plus the 5th above it.

Quick quiz