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6.2: Melodic vs. Harmonic Intervals

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    Melodic Intervals

    Ascending melodic third and descending melodic third

    We use the term melodic to describe two pitches that sound separately, or one right after the other. The distance between these two pitches is the melodic interval. When we sing a melody, we are moving between notes one at a time. You can think of a melody as being a series of melodic intervals which are either ascending or descending.

    Harmonic Intervals

    Harmonic third between C and E in both clefs

    We use the term harmonic to describe two pitches that are sounding at the same time. This is the basis of the concept of harmony.

    Most of the music we listen to is made up of a combination of melodic and harmonic intervals.

    This page titled 6.2: Melodic vs. Harmonic Intervals was last modified on Wed, 16 Jul 2025 03:42:36 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lauren C. Sharkey.