Intervals and Emotions

All music is made up of melody and harmony. Harmony gives structure so that
melody can flow and take lead. Today we are exploring the building blocks of
harmony, being intervals. An interval is when two separate notes are played in
unison. When played the way they sound in the air hits our ears and evokes some
kind of emotion.

Before building intervals we must understand what tones and semitones are. Tones
and semitones are the building blocks of music. Western music is separated into
equal steps between tones. Each separation is a semitone. On a keyboard a
semitone is the gap between one key and another directly next to it. A tone is a
separation of one note.

Interval Semitones Emotions (General)

Consonant intervals Pleasantness, generally

positive emotional valence; not
as strong or active as
dissonant intervals

Dissonant intervals Generally negative emotional

valence, strength, activity

Major intervals Brightness, strength

Minor Intervals Dullness, weakness

Large intervals Power

Small intervals Weakness

Minor second 1 Melancholy, displeasure,

anguish, darkness

Major second 2 Pleasurable longing,

displeasure

Minor third 3 Tragedy, sadness

Major third 4 Joy, happiness, brightness

Perfect fourth 5 Buoyancy, pathos

Perfect fifth 7 Cheerfulness, stability

Minor sixth 8 Anguish, sadness

Major sixth 9 Winsomeness, pleasurable

longing (neutral as a passing
tone; see Chapter 9)

Minor seventh 10 Irresolution, displeasure,

mournfulness

Major seventh 11 Aspiration, displeasure, violent

longing

Octave 12 Lightheartedness (i.e., sudden

melodic leap)
Exercise: ​Complete the table

Interval Emotions (General)

Minor second

Major second

Minor third

Major third

Perfect fourth

Perfect fifth

Minor sixth

Major sixth

Minor seventh

Major seventh

Octave