How to use the interval ear trainer
- Tick the intervals you want to practise. Start with three or four, such as minor 3rd, major 3rd, perfect 5th and octave.
- Choose ascending, descending or harmonic (both notes at once).
- Press Play. The two notes sound once. Press Replay or the R key to hear them again.
- Pick the interval with a tap, or press the number key shown on its button (1 to 9).
- Read the answer on the staff and keyboard, then press Next.
Your score, streak and per-interval accuracy are kept only while the page is open. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Interval sizes at a glance
| Interval | Short name | Semitones | Song-style anchor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor 2nd | m2 | 1 | Two neighbouring keys |
| Major 2nd | M2 | 2 | First two notes of a major scale |
| Minor 3rd | m3 | 3 | Bottom of a minor chord |
| Major 3rd | M3 | 4 | Bottom of a major chord |
| Perfect 4th | P4 | 5 | Opening of a wedding march |
| Tritone | TT | 6 | Halfway through the octave |
| Perfect 5th | P5 | 7 | Open sound, like a power chord |
| Minor 6th | m6 | 8 | Wide and wistful |
| Major 6th | M6 | 9 | Bright and open |
| Minor 7th | m7 | 10 | Unresolved, wants to move |
| Major 7th | M7 | 11 | One semitone short of an octave |
| Octave | P8 | 12 | Same note name, higher |
Tips for faster progress
Practise a small set until you answer it without thinking, then add one new interval. Mixing all twelve on day one mostly trains guessing.
Compare each interval with a tune you already know. Reference tunes work for some people and not for others, so also try noticing the colour: seconds feel tight, thirds feel sweet, fifths feel hollow and stable.
Use the harmonic setting when you are learning thirds and sixths, and the melodic settings when you are learning to hear leaps. Sing the lower note, then the upper note, before you answer.
Common questions
Do I need perfect pitch to use this?
No. Interval training builds relative pitch, which is the skill of hearing the distance between notes. Most musicians develop it with regular practice.
Why does the same interval sound different each round?
The trainer picks a new starting note each time. If you can name the interval from any starting note, you are hearing the interval and not memorising one pitch.
What is the difference between melodic and harmonic?
Melodic intervals play the two notes one after the other, ascending or descending. Harmonic intervals play them together. Beginners usually find harmonic thirds and sixths easier and melodic leaps harder.
How long should a session be?
Five to ten minutes a day works better than one long session. Stop when your answers become guesses, and come back later.
Sources
- Open Music Theory: Intervals: Interval size and quality, counted in letter names and semitones.
- Interval (music), reference article: Names and semitone counts for the twelve simple intervals.