Any study of jazz must begin with a thorough understanding of intervals. As shown above (click the image for a larger view), an interval is the distance between any two notes. Intervals can either be major, minor, augmented or diminished. From these intervals, scales and chords are formed. They are the building blocks of music and change when inverted.
At our sister site (ARC Music), we have a wide variety of music resources at your fingertips, including lessons about intervals. Establishing a foundation in music takes time and patience -- as well as relevant information. Both of these sites are aimed at junior high and senior high music classes, and are maintained (edited) by a qualified instructor.
Intervals have names based on the number of semitones (or half-steps) between the lower and upper notes. Intervals can either be simple or compound. From middle C to A (C4 to A4), the distance is 9 semitones or a major 6th. The reason any composer or music student should learn inter- vals is that they are integral to the formation of scales and chords.
Intervals provide a frame of reference when communicating about notes that are part of scales or chords. If the notes in a chord consist of C4 E4 G4 and A4, we refer to the chord by its root and the distance between the root and the last note: C6. If we add A3 (the note below C4), the chord becomes C6/A. The root note is not always the bottom note. Music passes through tonal groups that can be shown on a Circle of 5ths.
Why not take advantage of products from Reed Publications We publish music composi- tions and workbooks. Sometimes, it is nice to refer to non-Web orientated material that you can hold -- rather than just view online. Our music is graded for both concert band and jazz ensembles. We also sell products for guitar and drums.
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