← Music Theory Intermediate
Grade 2 · Chapter 4 of 5

Building on Intervals

Naming a wider range of intervals and recognising them both above and below a note.

Explainer

You already know how to count an interval's number. Now try counting both above AND below a given note.

Above C, a 6th is A. Below C, a 6th is E.

The wider the interval, the further apart the notes sound — a 2nd is a close neighbour, an octave is the same note doubled in distance.

Worked examples

Example 1

A 6th above C

C D E F G A — six letters, so A is a 6th above C.

𝄞CA
Example 2

A 6th below C

Counting down: C B A G F E — six letters, so E is a 6th below C.

𝄞CE
Example 3

A 7th above D

D E F G A B C — seven letters, so C is a 7th above D.

𝄞DC
Printable reference sheet — a one-page PDF summary of this chapter to keep beside you while you practise → Test yourself — a short practice quiz with instant feedback, and progress saved on your device, in the full interactive site →