Hearing and Singing Unisons and Seconds

Review

This lesson assumes that you are already familiar with unisons and seconds. If you have logged in and been following the lessons and practice apps in order you should already be familiar with them.

If not, you can learn about Unison and Seconds by going to Unisons and Seconds.

Unisons

Hearing

Unisons are very easy to identify by ear. They will be the exact same pitch. When identifying intervals by ear, diminished and augmented unisons are not included because they will sound like a minor second to the ear.

Singing

At this level we will restrict our singing of intervals to just the Perfect Unison. So, both notes will be the exact same pitch.

Seconds

Hearing

When identifying and singing Seconds by ear, we will not include diminished 2nds because they will sound identical to a unison. We will also not include augmented 2nds because they will sound like 3rds.

Singing

When singing melodies it is helpful to know that Minor 2nds only happen in a few places within the major scale: between Mi & Fa (scale degree 3 & 4) and between Ti & Do (scale degree 7 & 8). All other movement by step will be Major 2nds.

Minor 2nds (half-steps) want to resolve: Mi to Fa and Ti to Do.

The following chart has some pointers to help you hear and sing seconds. Some people find it easier to associate an interval with a song. There are a few examples listed in the chart, but you can find many more by searching online for 'Songs that begin with a [insert interval here]'.

Interval
Melodic Sound
Harmonic Sound
Music that begins with this interval
Minor 2nd (m2)
Has a strong "pull" between the notes.
Sounds very harsh (dissonant). Wants to resolve to something less harsh.
Theme from the movie 'Jaws'. 'Für Elise' by Beethoven.
Major 2nd (M2)
Sounds like the beginning of a Major Scale.
Sounds dissonant, but not as harsh as the m2.
Melodic: 'Happy Birthday'; Harmonic: 'Chopsticks'

Return to Hearing Music Hearing Unisons and Seconds