Hi,

I'm trying to get through my music theory homework and I'm having some difficulty distinguishing between a minor interval and a diminished interval...

We only have two notes per chord (someone suggested looking at the third note... of which there are NONE) and they DO use flats and sharps.

So, 10 points to whomever can explain how to find a minor interval, a diminished interval, and how to tell the difference between the two in the simplest way.

Thanks in advance!

got points for what?

Intervals consists of (low to high semitone count) diminished, minor, major, then augmented.

SO: An interval of 1 semitone is a Minor 2nd. Then what about an interval of 0 semitones? Minor cant go any lower. So, its called a diminished 2nd.

Example 2: Interval of 3 semitones = minor 3rd. Then 2 semitones? Its Major 2nd, AND also diminished 3rd. (Diminished 3rd, because minor 3rd is alraedy fixed for 3 semitones. a step lower than that is a diminished.)

TO SUM IT ALL UP: A diminished interval is 1 semitone lower than a minor interval.

Check this out also. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interval_(music) Happy theory-ing.... thank god i'm done with it^^

P.s someone pls correct me if i'm wrong.

This post has been edited by vertigoblack: May 14 2009, 06:16 PM

In your theory, there is no Diminished 2nd. You will not encounter it in your exam. I hope this will help you.

Type of interval Interval Number Number of semitone

Augmented 2nd 3
Major 2
Minor 1

Augmented 3rd 5
Major 4
Minor 3
Diminished 2

Augmented 4th 6
Perfect 5
Diminished 4

Augmented 5th 8
Perfect 7
Diminished 6

Augmented 6th 10
Major 9
Minor 8
Diminished 7

Augmented 7th 12
Major 11
Minor 10
Diminished 9

Augmented 8ve 13
Perfect 12
Diminished 11

You need to master it very well because it is a popular question in question 4 or 5. Later, you need to study compound interval. You also need to know the difference between melodic interval and harmonic interval if you had learned. The two terms have different meaning.

P.s I want to do it neatly but cannot. If you want to see in better way, just press reply on my post. Sorry.

Good luck.

This post has been edited by christellia: May 14 2009, 09:01 PM

owh... ya hor i rmb that diminished 2nd never comes out in d exam. heheh.