Guitar Intervals Explained: Every Interval as a Fret Distance and a Shape
An interval is just the distance between two notes. On guitar that distance is a number of frets and a shape, which makes intervals easier to learn here than on almost any other instrument.
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In this guide
An interval is the distance between two notes. On guitar, every fret is one semitone, so every interval is simply a number of frets: a major 3rd is four frets, a perfect 5th is seven, an octave is twelve. Learn the twelve intervals as fret distances and as shapes across two strings, and chords, scales and ear training all start to make sense.
This guide lists every interval within an octave, shows where it sits on the neck, and gives you a song to remember how it sounds.
All twelve intervals
| Semitones (frets) | Interval | From C | Sounds like the start of |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minor 2nd | C–Db | The theme from Jaws |
| 2 | Major 2nd | C–D | "Happy Birthday" (first two different notes) |
| 3 | Minor 3rd | C–Eb | "Greensleeves" |
| 4 | Major 3rd | C–E | "When the Saints Go Marching In" |
| 5 | Perfect 4th | C–F | "Here Comes the Bride" |
| 6 | Tritone | C–F# | "Maria" from West Side Story |
| 7 | Perfect 5th | C–G | "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" |
| 8 | Minor 6th | C–Ab | "The Entertainer" (its first leap) |
| 9 | Major 6th | C–A | "My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean" |
| 10 | Minor 7th | C–Bb | The original Star Trek theme |
| 11 | Major 7th | C–B | No common song start: hear it as one fret short of an octave, tense and wanting to rise |
| 12 | Octave | C–C | "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" |
Song references are the usual ear-training memory aids (all rising); the exact notes depend on the key, but the distance is what you are listening for.
Intervals on one string
On a single string, an interval is just that many frets. Play the open A string, then the 7th fret: that is a perfect 5th (A to E). The 12th fret is the octave. This is the easiest way to hear each interval, because you can see the distance.
Every interval from A on the A string A|-0-1-0-2-0-3-0-4-0-5-0-6-0-7-0-8-0-9-0-10-0-11-0-12-| m2 M2 m3 M3 P4 TT P5 m6 M6 m7 M7 oct
Intervals across two strings
Guitarists rarely play intervals on one string; they play them across two, which keeps the hand in one place. In standard tuning, the next string up is a perfect 4th (five frets) higher, so:
| Interval | Shape from a note on the low E or A string |
|---|---|
| Perfect 4th | Same fret, next string up |
| Major 3rd | Next string up, one fret lower |
| Minor 3rd | Next string up, two frets lower |
| Perfect 5th | Next string up, two frets higher (the power chord shape) |
| Major 6th | Two strings up, one fret lower |
| Minor 7th | Two strings up, same fret |
| Octave | Two strings up, two frets higher |
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Intervals inside chords
Every chord is a stack of intervals above its root:
| Chord | Intervals above the root | Example (C) |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Major 3rd, perfect 5th | C E G |
| Minor | Minor 3rd, perfect 5th | C Eb G |
| Power chord (5) | Perfect 5th (no 3rd) | C G |
| Dominant 7th | Major 3rd, perfect 5th, minor 7th | C E G Bb |
| Major 7th | Major 3rd, perfect 5th, major 7th | C E G B |
| Sus4 | Perfect 4th, perfect 5th | C F G |
The only difference between major and minor is the 3rd: four frets above the root or three. Once you see that, the major vs minor difference stops being something to memorize. For chord names that add more intervals (9, 11, 13), see guitar chord names explained.
How to learn them by ear
- Start with three: the perfect 5th, the octave and the major 3rd. They are the most common and the most different-sounding.
- Sing it, then play it. Play the lower note, sing the upper note using the song as a guide, then play it to check.
- Test yourself daily. Play two random notes on adjacent strings with your eyes closed, name the interval, then look.
- Add one interval a week until you have all twelve.
Ear training turns into the ability to work songs out yourself; our ear training guide takes it further. To find intervals on the whole neck, use the printable intervals chart.
Frequently asked questions
What is an interval in music?
The distance in pitch between two notes. On the guitar, each fret is one semitone (half step), so an interval can be counted in frets: a major 3rd is four frets, a perfect 5th is seven.
Why do intervals matter for guitar players?
Chords are stacks of intervals (a major chord is a root, a major 3rd and a perfect 5th), scales are sequences of them, and recognizing them by ear is how you work out songs. Knowing interval shapes also lets you find any note relative to one you already know.
Why are interval shapes different on the G and B strings?
Standard tuning has a perfect 4th (five frets) between every pair of strings except the G and B strings, which are a major 3rd (four frets) apart. Any shape that crosses from the G string to the B string moves up one fret.
What is the easiest way to learn intervals by ear?
Link each interval to the start of a song you know, then test yourself: play two notes and name the interval before you check. A few minutes a day for a few weeks works better than one long session.
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