What is the difference between augmented and diminished intervals

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Naming Octaves. To see how this works we will learn how augmented and diminished intervals are constructed. A Major interval is one half step more than a minor interval of the same numerical name. A minor interval is one half step less than a Major interval of the same numerical name. You first learned this with Major 3 rds 4 half steps and minor 3 rds 3 half steps. An augmented interval is always one half step more than a Major interval of the same numerical name.

In the illustration below, the different interval types increase by one half step when you move to the right.

They decrease by one half step when you move to the left. You must memorize the order of interval types diminished, minor, Major, Augmented , which moves from the least number of half steps to the greatest number of half steps.

Then you will know the number of half steps to add or subtract for each type of interval to change it into a diminished or augmented interval. Remember, these relationships are valid only for intervals of the same numerical type. For example, a minor 3 rd becomes a diminished 3 rd by dropping one half step.

A Perfect Interval always adds or subtracts one half step to get an Augmented or diminished interval of the same numerical type. For example, a Perfect 5 th becomes an Augmented 5 th by adding one half step. The chart below summarizes the numbers of half steps from each interval type to get an Augmented or diminished intervals.

A diminished 3 rd has two half steps, which is the same number of half steps as a Major 2 nd. A diminished 3 rd and a Major 2 nd are two names for one interval with the same number of half steps two. If your interval is a Major 2 nd , but you want to refer to the function of a 3 rd , you can just call it a diminished 3 rd. It is the same number of half steps, but has two different names so that you can reference more scale and chord positions.

A diminished 7 th has nine half steps, which is the same number of half steps as a Major 6 th. Maybe just stick to learning how intervals behave for now. Leave the 'why' for later. All the answers shared above are good. Think of all intervals within a major scale from the root.

Actually I like to think of the second group as Major, but the correct term would be imperfect. Augmented means one half step more than major or perfect, while diminished means one half step less than minor or perfect. So, a "tritone" such as C-F is an augmented fourth, while the same thing written C-Gb is a diminished fifth.

In practical terms, you'll see a diminished fifth in a dominant seventh chord, for example C-E-G-Bb has a diminished fifth between E and Bb.

The augmented second is between F and G. It isn't written this way because it's clearer to have each note of the scale on a separate letter "scale degree" rather than two notes on the same scale degree differentiated with accidentals.

So, the augmented and diminished intervals are usually used because they are a clearer alternative to some other way of writing the same notes. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Asked 2 years, 3 months ago. Active 18 days ago. Viewed 6k times.

The minor is decreasing Major intervals 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th by half step. Diminishing means made the perfect or the major intervals smaller by half step as well. So what is the difference? I am confused. Here are captures of the two lessons. Improve this question. This lesson leaves one thinking that to make a minor or diminished interval, only the higher note can be lowered. Not so.

Also, "minor, diminished and augmented intervals are always chromatic intervals in major keys" is a bit unclear. This is only true if the keynote is the lower note of the interval in question. Am I the only one that noticed that the text does, in fact, say "any perfect or minor interval" not " To be honest, I think this excerpt, read the correct way, is accurate and makes it very clear and concise. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. Diminishing means made the perfect or the major intervals smaller by half step as well In contrast to Laurence Payne, I'm going to say that the preceding statement is not correct.

The correct statement would be Diminishing means made the perfect or the minor intervals smaller by half step as well So, for example, a major sixth comprises 9 half steps. The way I like to think of it is this: Intervals are either perfect or imperfect. The inversion of a major interval is minor, and of a minor interval is major. The inversion of an augmented interval is diminished and of a diminished interval is augmented. Part of this page is taken by cnx.

I am confused. I thought augmented third was 5 semitones? Yes, James. Is this a misprint? RM, please read better! The key is a Gflat not an Fflat. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Classical Music Theory. April 19, October 17, musictheory 6 Comments. Music Chords : Triads April 19, September 22, musictheory 0. Other music scales : diminished, chormatic, whole tone scale April 19, September 22, musictheory 0.

Music theory and classic harmony April 19, September 22, musictheory 0. Thank you for the information it is clearly explaining and easy to understand. Reply I am confused. Reply Yes, James. I will assume the is a mistake in exiting until I can get further explanation. Hopefully, I will receive the answer soon. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.