Interval Recognition
Train your ear to identify every interval from unison to major 9th. The foundation of all music theory — master intervals and everything else follows.
Open Recognition Trainer →Perfect
4 intervalsP10 st
UnisonTwo identical pitches played together or in sequence. The foundation of pitch — any two notes in unison are the same frequency.perfectP45 st
Perfect 4thFive semitones — open, stable, and somewhat hollow. Forms the basis of quartal harmony and is heard in many traditional folk melodies.perfectP57 st
Perfect 5thSeven semitones — the most consonant interval after the octave. Stable, open, and powerful. The basis of power chords and tonal harmony.perfectP812 st
OctaveTwelve semitones — the same note in a higher or lower register. Perfectly consonant, stable, and complete.perfectSeconds
2 intervalsm21 st
Minor 2ndThe smallest interval in Western music — just one semitone. Intensely dissonant and tense, it creates an urgent need to resolve.dissonantM22 st
Major 2ndTwo semitones — adjacent notes in the major scale. Mildly dissonant but very common, it forms the basis of stepwise melodic motion.dissonantThirds
2 intervalsTritone
1 intervalsSixths
2 intervalsm68 st
Minor 6thEight semitones — somewhat melancholic and yearning. Less commonly heard in isolation but important in minor harmony and romantic melody.consonantM69 st
Major 6thNine semitones — warm, sweet, and cheerful. The major 6th has a pastoral, relaxed quality and is very pleasing to the ear.consonantSevenths
2 intervalsm710 st
Minor 7thTen semitones — bluesy and slightly tense. The minor 7th has a rich, jazzy quality and is the defining interval of the dominant 7th chord.dissonantM711 st
Major 7thEleven semitones — tense and yearning, just one semitone below the octave. Creates a strong pull toward resolution up to the octave.dissonantCompound
2 intervalsm913 st
Minor 9thThirteen semitones — a minor 2nd extended an octave. Extremely dissonant in a wide, almost eerie way. Used in jazz and modern harmony.compoundM914 st
Major 9thFourteen semitones — a major 2nd extended an octave. Open and expansive. The defining interval of add9 and major 9th chords.compoundWhy Train Interval Recognition?
Intervals are the building blocks of melody, harmony, and chords. Being able to identify an interval by ear means you can hear how music works in real time — transcribe melodies, identify chord qualities, and understand harmonic movement without sheet music.
Musestar covers all 15 intervals from unison to major 9th with instant audio feedback, ascending and descending playback, and harmonic (simultaneous) mode.