Intervals Explained
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An interval is the distance between two notes, and it is indicated by ordinal numbers (2nd, 5th , 7th) except when describing the unison (identity of pitch) and the octave (two notes 12 semitones apart).
Intervals of a 2nd ,3rd ,6th ,7th are called major.
Intervals of a 4th ,5th and octave are called perfect.
If a major interval is raised by a half step it is called augmented. If a major interval is lowered by a half step it is called minor. If lowered by two half steps, diminished.
If a perfect interval is raised by a half step it is called augmented. If a perfect interval is lowered by a half step it is called diminished (note the difference).
There are two basic ways to calculate an interval, that will lead to the same result.
1. Calculating by the number of half steps between the two notes:
|
N.of halfsteps |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
6 also |
7 |
8 |
8 also |
9 |
10 |
10 also |
11 |
12 |
|
Interval |
m2 |
M2 |
m3 |
M3 |
P4 |
4aug |
5dim |
P5 |
5aug |
m6 |
M6 |
6aug |
m7 |
M7 |
P8 |
|
Example |
C Db |
C D |
C Eb |
C E |
C F |
C F# |
C Gb |
C G |
C G# |
C Ab |
C A |
C A# |
C Bb |
C B |
C2 C3 |
where m=minor, M=major, P=perfect, dim=diminished, aug=augmented.
2. Finding the interval from the major scale. All the intervals from the tonic of a major scale to any other note of that scale are major or perfect (i.e. between C and D=major2nd, C e E=major3rd, C e F=perfect4rth, and so on…). Of course you need to know your major scales!!
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Professional guitarist, producer, internet enthusiast and overall geek, Gianni Chiarello has been playing, performing and recording for over 25 years in different parts of the globe. Read more about it here: 
I think intervals are the base of understanding music theory, all you have to do is knowing the major scale and its intervals, so while learning guitar scales you just see what intervals differ from the major scale and change them (minors, diminished…etc), great post.
[...] have seen in this post http://www.trueguitarist.com/intervals-explained/ what intervals are in theory and how the simplest and safest way to identify an interval is by [...]