Barron's AP Music Theory Chapter 5

Interval

Distance between two notes.

Melodic Interval

Sounding one after another as in a melody.

Harmonic Interval

Two notes sounding at the same time.

quantity and quality

Used to describe exact interval size.

Minor

Interval that is one half step smaller than major (quantity stays the same).

Diminished

Interval that is one half step smaller than perfect or minor (quantity stays the same).

Augmented

Interval that is one half step larger than perfect or major (quality stays the same).

Enharmonic

Intervals sound the same but are spelled differently.

Tritone

Augmented fourth

Doubly Augmented

When a major or perfect interval is made one whole step larger, without changing the letter names of the pitches.

Doubly Diminished

When a minor or perfect interval is made one whole step smaller without changing the letter names of the pitches.

Inverted Interval

Made by transferring the lower note an octave higher or by transferring the higher note an octave lower.

Simple Intervals

Intervals that are one octave or smaller

Compound Intervals

Intervals that are larger than an octave

Consonant Intervals

P1, P5, P8, m3, M6, m6, and sometimes the P4, depending on context.

Dissonant Intervals

M2, m2, M7, m7, all augmented and diminished intervals, and sometimes the P4, which is generally considered a dissonance when used harmonically above the bass.

Resolution

The motion of the dissonant interval to the consonant that acts as its goal.

Triad

A three-note chord made up of two intervals stacked in thirds. Made up of a root, third, and fifth.

Major Triad

M3 and P5

Minor Triad

m3 and P5

Augmented Triad

M3 and A5

Diminished Triad

m3 and dim5

Inversions

Triads that have a chord member other than the root as the lowest sounding voice (the bass).

Root Position

When the root of the chord is in the bass

First Inversion

When the third of the chord is in the bass

Second Inversion

When the fifth of the chord is in the bass

Subtonic Triad

The chord built on the seventh scale degree in the natural minor.

Seventh Chord

Contains four notes - The root, third, fifth, and seventh.

Major Seventh

Major triad and Major seventh

Dominant Seventh

Major triad and minor seventh (a)

Major-minor seventh

Major triad and minor seventh (b)

Minor seventh

minor triad and minor seventh

Half-diminished seventh

Diminished triad and minor seventh

Fully-diminished seventh

Diminished triad and diminished seventh