A game to recognize musical intervals by ear, in 4 levels
An interval recognition game: you hear two notes one after the other, the second one higher (or the same note, in a unison), and you pick the interval they form. If you are not sure, you can listen again before you answer.
You start with three intervals that are easy to tell apart (major third, perfect fifth and octave) and add more until you reach all 13 within an octave, from unison to octave. Five right answers in a row take you up a level.
The tool opens right here in your browser when the page finishes loading.
How to play
- Choose a level: “Beginner”, “Easy”, “Medium” or “Master”, then press “Start training”.
- Listen: two notes play, one after the other, the second one higher (or the same, in a unison), from a random starting note. “Play again” plays them again.
- Answer: click the name of the interval. Each right answer is worth 100 points, plus 20 more for every answer in your streak; after a miss, “Next interval” takes you to the next one.
- Go up a level: five right answers in a row move you to the next level, up to the fourth. “Change level” lets you pick again.
The 13 intervals and their levels
- “Beginner”: major third, perfect fifth and octave.
- “Easy”: adds the major second and the perfect fourth.
- “Medium”: adds the minor second and the minor third.
- “Master”: all 13: unison, minor and major second, minor and major third, perfect fourth, tritone, perfect fifth, minor and major sixth, minor and major seventh, and octave.
Songs to remember each interval
A classic trick is to link each ascending interval to the start of a tune you already know:
- Minor second: the “Jaws” theme.
- Major second: “Happy Birthday”.
- Minor third: “Greensleeves”.
- Major third: “Oh When the Saints”.
- Perfect fourth: “Here Comes the Bride”.
- Tritone: “The Simpsons” (opening choir).
- Perfect fifth: the “Star Wars” theme (the two long notes).
- Minor sixth: “The Entertainer” (3rd and 4th notes).
- Major sixth: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”.
- Minor seventh: “Somewhere” (“West Side Story”).
- Major seventh: “Take On Me” (chorus).
- Octave: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get better at interval recognition?
Little by little, level by level: first the intervals that are easiest to tell apart, like the major third, the fifth and the octave, then the rest. Linking each interval to the start of a song you know helps a lot.
Which intervals are in the game?
The 13 within an octave: unison, seconds, thirds, perfect fourth, tritone, perfect fifth, sixths, sevenths and octave, spread over 4 levels.
Are there descending or harmonic intervals?
No: they are all melodic, with the second note higher (or the same, in a unison). Descending and harmonic intervals (both notes at once) are in Full Partituras Ear.
How many right answers do I need to level up?
Five in a row. You can also choose your level when you start.
Is my progress saved?
No: points and streak start from zero each time. If you want a course that keeps your progress, Full Partituras Ear saves it on your device.
Where can I train chords, scales or dictation?
This game is intervals only. For chords, scales, scale degrees, progressions and melodic dictation, step by step, use Full Partituras Ear; for a quick workout, the Full Partituras ear trainer.
What is a tritone?
The interval of 6 semitones, exactly half an octave: an augmented fourth or a diminished fifth. It is the one in the opening choir of “The Simpsons”.