Perfect · 0 semitones
Unison
Two identical pitches played together or in sequence. The foundation of pitch — any two notes in unison are the same frequency.
How to Hear It
How to Identify It
Unison sounds like a single note with no movement. It has no tension and no sense of direction. Listen for the complete absence of any interval quality.
Famous Examples
- Unison singing or playing in an orchestra section
- The opening note of any melody before it moves
Often Confused With
All Intervals
About the Unison
The Unison (P1) is a perfect interval spanning 0 semitones. Two identical pitches played together or in sequence. The foundation of pitch — any two notes in unison are the same frequency.
To train your ear to identify the unison reliably, practice hearing it in all three modes — ascending, descending, and harmonic. The ascending version is most commonly tested, but recognising it in all contexts is the mark of a trained ear. Use the trainer above to test yourself in a mixed set of all intervals.