Perfect Pitch Training: Interval Recognition

Become intimate with Intervals

Recognizing intervals is absolutely key to developing good perfect pitch. Why? Because when you can identify the different intervals of a musical phrase, you can notate and transcribe without interruption, or put another way you won't have take the hit and miss approach of randomly pressing keys on your keyboard.



Solfage is brilliant!

Diatonic scales is the best place to start learning your intervals. Solfage is a great way to learn and understand scale degrees and how they relate to each other. Solfage was developed in the 11th century by Guido d' Arezzo and is still commonly used today. It takes time to get used to singing solfege but even just minimum effort can benefit you greatly. It will free you to practice interval recognition even when you aren't at your instrument. You can literally practice perfect pitch training 24/7 where ever you are. How cool is that!

Solfage Scale Names

Sing a scale (best to start with C major) vocalizing the following syllables e.g pitch the note C but vocalize the syllable Doh etc etc.


C - Do (pronoucened Doh no Homer Simpson impressions please!)
D - Re (pronounce Ray)
E - Mi (pro' Mee
F - Fa (Pro' Far)
G - So (Sol)
A - La (Lah)
B - Ti (Tee)
C - Do

Solfage Interval Identification Technique

Now once you can sing up and down the scale comfortably try singing from memory just a few intervals. Limit yourself to just a few intervals so that you can focus your mind on learning the important and most dominant intervals.

C (Doh) up to C (Doh) - Learn the interval of the Octave.
C (Doh) up to G (Sol) - Learn the interval of the 5th.
C (Doh) up to F (Fa) - The interval of a 4th

This may seem simple, that's because it is. It may seem like there isn't much to do, just learning 3 different intervals - The octave, 5th and 4th. However these three intervals are the bedrock to your learning interval recognition and developing perfect pitch.

I give you my word that if you practice this and become intimate with those three intervals you will be well on your way to unlocking the secret of many great composers' genius.

Until next time keep PERFECT PITCH TRAINING