Interval Explorer
An interval is the distance between two notes. Pick a root and an interval here, see where the notes sit on the fretboard, and hear them played in sequence and together.
How to use it
- Choose a root, then an interval from unison to octave.
- See on the fretboard where the root and the interval note sit. The dashed ring marks the pair that is played.
- Press Play up, Play down or Play together to hear the interval. Click a position to hear a single note.
- Read below the board how many frets apart the notes are on different strings. Turn on Show all intervals to see all twelve notes in relation to the root.
What is an interval?
An interval is the distance between two notes, measured in semitones. A minor third is three semitones, a perfect fifth seven and an octave twelve. Intervals are the building blocks of scales, chords and harmonies.
- A major third (4) gives a major feel, a minor third (3) gives a minor feel.
- The tritone (6) is the tense interval often heard in metal.
- The perfect fifth (7) is the base of power chords.
How do I find an interval on the fretboard?
The same interval looks different depending on which strings the notes sit on. A perfect fifth from the root sits two frets up on the next thinner string, except when the root is on the G string, where it is three frets. The tool shows the distance in frets for each string pair.
Frequently asked questions
How many semitones is each interval?
Unison is 0, minor third 3, major third 4, perfect fourth 5, tritone 6, perfect fifth 7, minor sixth 8, major sixth 9 and octave 12. Between them are seconds and sevenths, for example minor second 1 and major second 2. The tritone is the odd one out: it sits in the middle of the octave.
What is the difference between Play up, Play down and Play together?
Up plays the two notes one after the other, rising. Down plays them falling. Together plays both at once, so you hear the interval as a sonority. Click a position if you want to hear a single note.
Why does the same interval look different on different strings?
In standard tuning the strings are tuned in fourths, except between the G and B strings, where the distance is a major third. The fret distance for the same interval therefore changes when you switch string pair. The tool shows the distance for each pair.
What does Show all intervals do?
It marks all twelve notes on the fretboard in relation to the root, so you see how each note sits against the root. It helps you connect intervals, scales and chords. Twelve notes make up the whole octave, so you see every interval from the root.
Which interval is a power chord?
A power chord is a root and a perfect fifth, seven semitones above, often with the octave on top. It has no third and so sounds neither major nor minor, which works well with heavy distortion. Choose Perfect fifth in the tool to see and hear the distance.
Related tools
- Fretboard Explorer: An interactive fretboard with notes, intervals and scales.
- Scale Explorer: Scales with notes, positions, tab and sound.
- Twin Guitar Harmonizer: Write a melody and get a second guitar part in thirds, sixths, octaves or contrary motion.
- Harmony Explorer: Click a note and see which harmonies fit the key.
- Metronome: Click or drums with a bouncing ball, step sequencer, spectrum, fullscreen and tap tempo.
- Tab player: Open a Guitar Pro file, see tab and notation and play along at your own tempo.