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Learning Ukulele with Curt
Understanding Diatonic Intervals
Simple and Compound Diatoinic Intervals

Category: Intervals Instrument: Ukulele Subjects(s): Theory • Intermediate • Advanced • Intervals • Ear

photo by Louis Martin

Related LessonAssets

Lessons Books & Charts
LESSONSeries : Understanding Intervals
Series
Diatonic Intervals Chromatic Intervals Interval Inversion Practice Sequences

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Understanding Diatonic Intervals

An interval is the distance between two notes. An interval has a name and a type. Intervals can be played one note (melodic) or two notes (harmonic) at a time, ascending or descending.

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Simple and Compound Intervals are taken from a major scale.

Chromatic Intervals are NOT taken from a major scale. They are derived from the diatonic intervals.

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Understanding Diatonic Intervals…

Calculating The Distance Between Two Notes

The distance part of an interval can be determined by counting the lines and space from the bottom note to the top note.

NOTE: You can use the audio examples below to do some ear training. Play the interval, sing the interval (do, re, me ,fa, sol, la, ti, do). Sing the interval and check how accurate you are.

Major Second: C to D

  • Frere Jacques, Do A Dear, Silent Night, First two notes of a major scale.

Major Third: C to E

  • Michael Row Your Boat Ashore, When the Saints Go Marching In, Kum By Ya, Ob-la-di Ob-la-da (The Beatles), Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Perfect Fourth: C to F

  • Here Comes the Bride, The Look of Love, Amazing Grace, Auld Lang Syne, Love Me Tender

Perfect* Fifth: C to G

  • Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, My Favorite Things, Theme from Star Wars, Hey There Georgie Girl, Can't Help Falling In Love, Blue Skies

* All intervals of a Diatonic Major Scale are Major unless both notes of the interval are in each other major scale. Then the interval is called Perfect.

Major Sixth: C to A

  • My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean, the N B C theme, I Heard the Bells, Take the A Train

Major Seventh: C to B

  • Major Seventh: ( Do - Ti (Si) ) i.e., C to B
  • Theme from Fantasy Island

Perfect Octave: C to C`

  • Perfect Octave: ( Do - Do ) i.e., C to C
  • Over The Rainbow

Ukulele Major Scale

Here is how the Simple Diatonic intervals layout on with the open position C Major scale on ukulele.

  • Descending the Major Scale is the song.Joy to the World.
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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

Related Lessons
Related Lessons for Understanding Diatonic Intervals.
UL31b
Understanding Chromatic Intervals

An interval is the distance between two notes. An interval has a name and a type. "Chromatic Intervals" are NOT taken from a major scale. They are derived from the diatonic intervals.

UL31c
Understanding Interval Inversion

Inverting intervals using the "Rule of Nine". An interval is the distance between two notes. An interval has a name and a type. Intervals can be played one note (melodic) or two notes (harmonic) at a time, ascending or descending.

Related Books & Charts
Related Books for Understanding Diatonic Intervals.
PMG1UKE
Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele Player is an organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player. This material can be used to develop the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.
These are books & reference charts that apply to a majority of all lessons on LearningUkulele.com / Learning Ukulele with Curt.
Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition.

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing.

Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A), A4

Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

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