Musical Terms & the Major Scale

 

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The following theoretical concepts are using the Guitar fingerboard as an example.  The theory, however, is universal and is applicable to the banjo, mandolin and other fretted instruments.  

 

 

An Interval is the distance in pitch between two notes.  If you play an open string on the guitar and then play the same string with you finger on the second fret, this is an interval of two.  Referring to the figure to the left, if you play the Open 5th string (the second string from the left), you are playing an "A" note.  If you then place your finger on the second fret, you have changed the note to a "B" and played an interval of two frets.

 

An Interval of two frets is also called: Tone,  Whole or  Step 

If you play the 5th string on the guitar at the second fret (noted by the blue dot) and then play the same string with you finger on the forth fret, this is an interval of two, which is a Tone, Whole or Step.    

 

An Interval of one fret is also called: Semi-tone,  Half or  Half-Step

If you play the 5th string on the guitar at the forth fret (noted by the red dot) and then play the same string with you finger on the fifth fret, this is an interval of one, which is a Semi-Tone, Half or Half-Step.    

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