Lesson 1.2: Intervals

INTERVALS:

You know the names of all the keys on the piano. But here is one more thing you should know about the intervals, or distances, between the keys: All adjacent are considered to be one half-step (or semi-tone or half-tone) apart. In other words, the interval between C and C# is a half-step, just as the interval between E and F is a half-step. The fact that C and C# are a white and a black key while E and F are both white has no relevance in measuring intervals: Adjacent keys of any color are a half-step apart.


Similarly, the interval between C and D is a whole step (or whole tone), as is the interval between E and F#. From D to F is an interval of a tone and a half; the keys D and F# are two tones apart as are the keys C and E, and so on.


The concepts of intervals is something you should know about but not something you will have to keep in forefront of your consciousness. By understanding intervals, you will understand the logic of how the various chords are formed. But in order to play chords, you won't need to count intervals- you'll play them by sight.

Just as quickly as you can find middle C you will be able to strike a C chord, for example. That will become clear to you within a very few pages.

In closing this lesson, I would like to point out an interesting fact. If for some reason you were to stop reading this book right now and I didn't see a piano for the next ten years, I would be willing to bet anything that you would be able to name every note on the keyboard. All that you have learned up to now would be fresh in your mind.

So you see, learning to play the piano is not difficult. It is made up of many simple bits of information, once learned never forgotten.