Intervals
An interval is inverted by raising or lowering either of the notes using displacement of the octave (or octaves) so that both retain their names (pitch class). For example, the inversion of an interval consisting of a C with an E above it is an E with a C above it - to work this out, the C may be moved up, the E may be lowered, or both may be moved.
Under inversion, perfect intervals remain perfect, major intervals become minor and the reverse, augmented intervals become diminished and the reverse. (Double diminished intervals become double augmented intervals, and the reverse.) Traditional interval names add together to make nine: seconds become sevenths and the reverse, thirds become sixes and the reverse, and fourths become fifths and the reverse. Thus a perfect fourth becomes a perfect fifth, an augmented fourth becomes a diminished fifth, and a simple interval (that is, one that is narrower than an octave) and its inversion, when added together, will equal an octave. See also complement (music).
| Interval quality under inversion | |
|---|---|
| Perfect | Perfect |
| Major | Minor |
| Augmented | Diminished |
| Interval name under inversion | |
|---|---|
| Unison | Octave |
| Second | Seventh |
| Third | Sixth |
| Fourth | Fifth |
Read more about this topic: Inversion (music)
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