Level 1 Interval Training: Perfect Unison, Octave, and Fifth

Level One Interval Training in the Triquetrae Music Elementary Programme: Perfecting Unison, Fifth, and Octave Pitches.

This article outlines the first stage of interval recognition and singing practice, focusing on the most consonant (a balanced whole sound) and fundamental intervals: the Perfect Unison, the Perfect Octave, and the Perfect Fifth. Mastery of these intervals is essential for building a strong foundation in ear training.

This training utilises the The Ear Gym application on Android devices for interactive practice and assessment.

Introduction to Perfect Intervals

Perfect intervals are stable, consonant, and acoustically pure. They form the backbone of harmony and are the easiest for the untrained ear to distinguish. The goal of this level is to be able to sing these intervals accurately and identify them when heard, using both ascending and descending melodic motion.

1. Perfect Unison (P1)

Music education made simple with the Triquetrae Music Programme: Achieve harmony by mastering unison at Level 1.

The Sound

The Perfect Unison is the interval between a note and the exact same note. It is the most stable interval.

Singing Practice

Simply sing the first note, and then sing it again. This confirms your ability to hold a pitch accurately.

Ear Training Tip

In a melodic context, hearing a Perfect Unison means the pitch has not moved.

Song Example (Melodic)

Use this interval when focusing on repeated notes within a song.

Song Example (Melodic Ascending)

The first two notes of the phrase "Some-where o-ver the rainbow" demonstrate a strong Unison.

Training Resource

Listen for the two notes that are the same at the beginning.

2. Perfect Octave (P8)

"Exploring octaves: 'Play & Pitch the Perfect Octave' provides an engaging start to music theory with the Triquetrae Music Education Programme's Level 1 guide."

The Sound

The Octave is the interval between a note and the next occurrence of the same note name (C to the next C). It is pure and powerful, creating the sense of the "same note, but higher/lower."

Singing Practice

When singing an octave, you should feel a large, significant leap in your voice, but the 'colour' or 'feel' of the pitch remains the same.

Ear Training Tip

The octave is often associated with the first two notes of many dramatic or expansive melodies.

Song Example (Melodic Ascending)

The first two notes of the phrase "Some-where o-ver the rainbow" demonstrate a strong ascending Octave.

Training Resource

Now listen to the same song, but the original version, with an octave at the beginning.

3. Perfect Fifth (P5)

Explore the concept of the perfect fifth interval with the Triquetrae Music Education Programme's Level 1 challenge, focusing on the notes Do and Sol (Ut and Sol).

The Sound

The Perfect Fifth is the interval equivalent to seven half-steps (e.g., C to G). It is highly consonant, stable, and often described as "open" or "heroic." The Perfect Fifth is crucial because it is the foundational interval for building power chords and major/minor keys (the dominant).

Singing Practice

Practice singing the 'Do' (first note of the scale) and then the 'Sol' (fifth note of the scale). This interval forms a clear and balanced sound.

Ear Training Tip

The Perfect Fifth is the second easiest interval to distinguish after the Octave. It gives a strong, resolved feeling.

Song Example (Melodic Ascending)

The first two notes of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" or the theme from the Star Wars title sequence.

Training Resource

Listen to the Perfect Fifth at the beginning.

Listen for the first interval that forms a perfect fifth in this arrangement of a popular nursery rhyme.

Practice Routine in The Ear Gym App

Students should engage in daily practice within the application following this schedule:

http://theeargym.com/ (Note we have no connection to the developers of this app. We just think it is a great app.)

Ear Gym Level 1 Configuration

Ear Gym Screen Capture Level 1

Week One

Root Note: C

Range: Lowest octave 3 

Highest octave 5

Day	Interval Focus	Root Note & Range	Duration (Minutes)
Monday	Perfect Unison (P1) & Perfect Octave (P8)	Direction: Ascending	5
Tuesday	Perfect Unison (P1) & Perfect Octave (P8)	Direction: Descending	5
Wednesday	Perfect Unison (P1) & Perfect Octave (P8)	Direction: Ascending & Descending	5
Thursday	Perfect Fifth (P5)	Direction: Ascending	5
Friday	Perfect Fifth (P5)	Direction: Descending	5
Lesson	Check-Up

Week Two

Root Note: C

Range: Lowest octave 3 

Highest octave 5

Day	Interval Focus	Root Note & Range	Duration (Minutes)
Perfect Fifth (P5)	Perfect Fifth (P5) & Perfect Octave (P8)	Direction: Ascending	5
Tuesday	Perfect Fifth (P5) & Perfect Octave (P8)	Direction: Descending	5
Wednesday	Perfect Fifth (P5) & Perfect Octave (P8)	Direction: Ascending	5
Thursday	Perfect Fifth (P5) & Perfect Octave (P8)	Direction: Descending	5
Friday	P8, P5	Direction: Ascending & Descending	5
Lesson	Check-Up

For a step-by-step guide on configuring the intervals in the app, please download the setup guide (to follow)

Note: This guide incorporates both fixed and movable Do systems. The block type in the images represents movable Do, while the italic font is used for fixed Do. Since this is more academic, we will use the original term 'Ut' for Do.