Up or down

Before naming an interval, be sure whether the melody goes up or down.

Perceived pitch follows the fundamental frequency: doubling the frequency raises it an octave. The ear works in ratios, not differences: from 110 to 220 Hz and from 440 to 880 Hz is the same leap.

Start with direction: two notes, is the second higher or lower? Sing them in your head; your voice often knows before you do.

Once direction is sure, intervals are recognised by their colour: a fifth sounds stable and open, a second is a small step, an octave sounds like "the same note, higher".

Listen for

The movement between the two notes, more than the notes themselves.
The "same note" feeling of an octave.

The classic mistake

Being led by timbre or loudness: a brighter note sometimes seems higher. Focus on the melody.

Put it into practice

Mystery pitch · Discovery

Mystery pitch

The lesson is complete when the level is passed (35/50).