Intervals: Half-Steps and Whole-Steps

In music, the distance between two notes is called an interval. The first two kinds of intervals we are going to talk about are half-steps and whole-steps. A half-step is an interval equal to the distance of moving up one fret on the guitar. A whole-step is equal to the distance of two frets on the guitar. As an example, if we play the open G string, and then play the G# on the 1st fret of the same string, this would be the distance of a half-step.

A whole-step is an interval equal to the distance of two frets. A whole step up would be playing the open G string, and then play the A on the 2nd fret of the same string. This would be the distance of a whole-step. You can see the distances in whole steps between each note on the 3rd string below. 

Combining Half-Steps and Whole-Steps Into Larger Intervals

We can also add half steps and whole steps together to create larger intervals. In the example below, you can see the distances between two notes measured in half steps. We start with a single half-step and whole-step and build larger intervals until we reach the same note as our starting note at a higher pitch, called the octave. Octaves are 12 half steps (or frets on the guitar) away from the original note, meaning that the open 3rd string G pitch is repeated an octave higher on the 12th fret of the same string.

Although it is acceptable to label intervals with whole-steps and half-steps, it is more common to use shorthand names for each interval based on its numerical distance away from the note and its relationship to the Major Scale, which we will discuss in our next lesson. For example, a half-step interval is also known as a Minor 2nd (m2), while a whole-step is more commonly known as a Major 2nd (M2).

In the diagram below, you can see the names for each interval as well as. their distance in half-steps and whole-steps. These are shorthand labels for each interval distance.